Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-01-26
Arbitrary Arrests when "DIs-
crInImaiingIy Made"

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Arbitrary Arrests when "DIs-
CrimInatingIy Made"
There is paper published in Spring
field, in this State, called the News, the
chief Characteristic of which is the amaz-
ing garrulity of its editor The stream of
his talk flows in unceasing, Rever ending,
muddy. frothy, foSmy volume. He is
Yankee born, and seems to have monopo-
lized all the talk Of the universal Yankee
nation. He must, in his time. have been
vendor of Magic Oil, done the blowing
for a snake and mummey show, and trav
eled with great variety of patent traps,
churns and washing machines. Such a
talker as he isl Every evening comes
out his little paper, brim full and running
over with his Yankee CAB. There is mo-
thing of manners or morals, Of politics or
literature, Of history or science, Of war OF
peace-nothing in the heavens above, or
in the earth beneath, or in the waters un-
der the earth-that this loquacious Yam
kee does not have something to say abont.
Ouy hypothesis is, that failing health COM
PEELED him to resign the oil, blower and
patent right business, and that he was
constrained to establish a paper, and let
himself off every evening, to guard a.
gainst the calamity of inevitable disten-
ton and consequent blowing up.
One OF tho myriad subjects which he
he's discussed of late, is the Secretary of
War, aud thus he discourses of arbitra-
ry arrests: |.tsIss
Arbitrary arrests, in themselves, when
Discriminatory directed, are not obnoX-
ious to the loyal people at large"
"Wheu discriminatingly directed" we
admit TO be good. But pray, Mr.. Talka-
ative. who shall be Judge to decide when
'arrcsts are discriminatingly directed." "
save the power that orders such arrests to
be made? II is one ef the incidents of
this power, that. if allowed at all, the
Justice Of its exercise is not to be ques-
toned In the single sentence we have
quoted. the writer has betrayed an unpar-
donable stupidity, which totally uufts him
for the position of an editor.
If arrests, however arbitrarily made,
were always discriminatory directed
there would be no necessity for the preli-
minaTy affidavit and warrant. or inIict-
ment, which the Constitution and laws
have provided as safeguard against OPP
preston and wrong. 1t is because that,
neither in the hands of Secretary of War,
nor President of tho United States. nor
any other functionary, however exalted,
can such a power. oyer the safety of the
citizens be entrusted. that it is allowable
in no free Government, and is the certain
mark rand CHARACTERISTIC of Despotism,
wherever exPrted $40 arus
l8 There is no wise, or sagacious.,o or patri-
otIc citizen, that did not view with dread
Daarm the first exercise of the power OF
arrest without law, and whose consterna.
tion was not heightened when he witness.
ed l;he ealmness and quietude Of the peo-
pld in view Of the 6surpstion. All such
knew IN what sI6esses the power insvita.
bly, runs. when il is permitted at all; how
sure it is to be abused; aud how fearful
the tyranny which it institutes. and make,
1 permanent il not resisted, o.,I.,.,,s .
y But il is a hopeful sign of better tune,
edlhing. when even the most stupid and
unwise Of the people take alarm at arbi
trary arrests, and avow that they approve
Of them only when "discriminAtingly di,
recled." G-1 4 N ci-
nfB-We note that several OF oar eolempo
refbs, who eagerly proclaimed Mr. Blair,
visit 10 Richmond insignificant, Rbortiye,
failure, be, &e, are nov hnAily employed ID
coBtiueing their raadefsthaf whsn they &c
talked, they knew nothing Of the matter
This effort il strikes US, il entiSsly supsrilu.