The mountain Democrat., 1865-05-13
fHF MOUNTAIN DEMOCRAT.
Military Commissions.

In the debate in the United States SEN
ate on the proposition to prohibit militia.
~ commissions for the trial Of charges
against civilians in States where the civil
Courts arc in operation. Mr.. Trumbull,
the distinguished Senator from Illinois,
who favored the proposition, paid the fol
lowing truthful and appropriate tribute
to the honesty and patriotism Of Our
Sober Senator" Hon. John CONFESS. The
remarks Of Me, Tv,,n,h"il will annl" '"i''>
equal Orce to az 'wno nave S~Orn 10 sup.
port the Constitution and who, notwith.
standing their solemn oaths, give it, like
Mr.. CONFESS, their support only when il
jumps with their humor. We commend
it especially TO the civil officers Of Caifor-
mia, from Governor down to deputyscon.
stable, most Of whom seem wild with de-
light when the false oath Of some wicked
inlormer gives them the opportunity to
arrest and haud over To lhe lender nlcr-
cisS Of military commission any civilian
whO dares to dilF,r from them in politics.
Mr.. Trumbull said:
"NOw, sir, word or two, and only
word or two, as To the Senator from Cal.
ifOrnia (Mr. C"nne>s), who mode>tly as.
Sumes 30 much patriotism lnl if patriot.
ism consists in noise and hlu>trr. he Ger
tainly is possessed Of great deal. lie
made himself heard, certainly. and he
talks Of 'croaking. and talks Of 'coWar s.
and says that he cares nothing fur the
Constitution. 81 that he has a county,
lie had better migrate to DahOmcy, or
somewhere else, where there is country.
! care, sir. for the Constitution aud for
liberty, and think a country or life itself
scarcely worth having. without liberty
without liberty regulated by law. But
he is bold and brave? Yes. sir. bold and
brave, and would sink the Government,
would vote against al appropriations,
sooner than not have the power to try n
man bv court martial or 4 military com.
mission! That great patriot would stand
here aud vOte-vOtc against 'appropria
tons for the army or ANYTHING else, if he
could not arrest Soucbnjv aud try him
in = loyal State, where the courts are
open, by military commission or court.
martial! lie SAYS, substantially, 4 will
not appropriate to sustain our soldiers
the rebels may come here and tear down
the capitol and destroy the Government,
because |, the Senator from California,
cannot have somebody tried hy court.
martial and that is lis patriotism; that
is his love Of country. And he SAYS no
provost marshal arrested him Why,
sir. those who crook the pregnant hinges
of the knee where thrift may follow fawn.
ing. are never arrested.
Mr.. CnnncSS arNSc.
The Presiding Officer Dies the Scna
tor from Illinois give way:
Mr.. Trunbull When | am through,
the Senator can talk if he wishes.
The Presiding OiIicer-lhe Senator
from Illinois has the floor.
Mr Trumbull -"llc need not expect TO
be arrested oh no, sir. Bat the hber.
Is he talks Of is tn liberty # the high.
wavma0 -di>resarlcd law. How i, he
any better tlan the biisand who meets
you \, night and calls upon YOU to stand
and deliver: No re2ard for law he
cares nothing f,r the CONSTITUTIONS that
lac has a county, ami ta.H> ct 'eo"a'H>
and croakrr>'' SIR, | am not brave
enough, thank God!-I am not bold
enough TO walk W to that stahd and lay
my hand upon the W"rd Of E''rnrl Lie
aud pr nni,c, calling Grl to w't"c>S, T."
maintain the Con>titui'nu, and then say
care nothing for it. am not h"id
enough TO make such n declaration. ]
hope [ never may be. SIR, if nothing else
should restrain u> from treating with con.
tempt the Constitution Il the country, the
oath VIC have taken should restrain Us; ;
the appeal we have made tn the Supreme
Being. should withhold rs !r"m such
declaration. say that do care for the
Constitution, aud fur law, and for liberty,
aud that am FIR preserving them a! and
the country and the onion also, for il is
the Constitution aul liberty that make
the C"ion worth preserving. Without
them-a Caion forced hv arbitrary lower
-. Union such as is brought about hy
the heel Of dc>p"ti>n', is hot the Union
that | am struggling for"
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