Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-07-19
MILITARY TRIBUNALS.
SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC PRES
From the n Y. Tribune, (Rep)

p SHlh1I Ot L
From tho n Y Tribune, (Rep)
We hear talk of more courts martial for
the rrIal of other than persons In our mill
tary service, and we protest IN advance a
gainst them. We have courts enough, law
enough, and at least as fair a chance for JUS
tice with these as with any that can be I'M
provised out of our ARMY by an order from
the War Department. We do not much
care what Europe may say of our Jurlspru-
dence we are only anxious that she shall
have no just cause for censure. 1t any reb-
ell has conspired to starve our soldiers, or In
feet our ciries with pestilence, or do any act
abhorrant to humanity, let him be fairly
tried for the crime or if it is thought best
to arraign some of the rebel chiefs for trea-
son, so be it but let us deal with them ac-
cording 10 law 1t will be grevious mis-
take-an avowal of weakness--a blunder
and folly-to hold another court martial
for the trial of other than military offenders
belonging to our own army. Such court
can render no verdict that will carry weight
with it in the Judgment of impartial Chris
tendom--the fact that such tribunal is re-
sorted to will be trumpeted by thousands as
a virtual confession that a fair trial was not
desired--its verdict of guilty " i'll be decided
as preluding and preparing judicial muir
der. Let US return TO the dominion of law
From the Phil'a Age Dem)
There are rumors from Washington, sent
across the telegraphic wires, that another
military commission is to be organized for
the trial OF certain parties now IN contne-
ment. Without stopping to inquire who
those offenders are, or what may be the
crimes with which they stand charged, we
indulge the hope that these rumors are with
out foundation. The organization of anoth-
er military commission would bring irrepa-
rable disgrace upon the country. There is
no possible plea to justify such. a step.
Neither the safety of the government, the
welfare of the people, nor the requirements
of justice, IN any degree demand 1t. No
one at this time can be legally and cOnstitu-
tionally tried outside the civil courts, which
are unobstructed, and in the perfect enjoy
ment of their functions. Argument upon
this point Is useless, and in the name Of
justice, liberty, and law, we ask that the
proper tribunal-the civil courts-may be
the mears Of vlndicatlng any outrage that
may have been committed against the peace
and dignity of the nation.
From the Phil'a Press, (Union)
You may secure the exact measure of the
patriotism of the men who assert that the
rebellion is at an end, by the aid Of the fact
that without the war power aud the suspen-
sion of the writ Of h0beas corpus, Jefferson
Davis and the other consplratorS against the
lives and liberties of the people could not be
held in the strong arms Of a military fort,
bat would be consigned to county prison,
prob; bly, at Richmond, Virginia, or Jack
son, Mississippi, to all practical lntents free
and forgiven, to go and do as he pleased.
\ Ou will perceive, at glance, how deeply
interested the detected conspirators are IN
the declaration by the President of such a
policy as would enable them to resort to
the civil courts for trial to set at defiance
his entire system of reconstruction to re-
store slavery under the old State laws, and
to re-establish system nearly as defective
as that which has Just been destroyed. The
moment therefore the President withdra VS.
the machinery by which he is enabled to
confne traitors and to punish them +; to en-
force the laws of Congress in the different
seeded States and to sustain his provision
al governors the power to restore the u
Mon on the right basis is lost, never to be
regained. Remember that there Is not a
single Southern State that was carried out
of the Union by fraud in lS60-6l, that is
entirely back in its folmer position; and al
SO, that not one of these States can be pre-
maturely fixed in its former sphere without
I lllc StIOig ann VI
| backed by the army and the navy, and as
sisted by the authority conferred upon the
President in the act of Congress of March,
| 1863 in which he is empowered to suspend
| the writ Of habeds corpus, and to keepit sus-
| pended as long as the rebellion shall contin-
ue. How extraordinary, in view of these
! plain facts, that there should be a
| clamor against military courts, and for the
| immediate re-establishment of what is call
ed the civil authority" by the very men
who are struck with terror lest President
johnson should permit or encourage the o.
| riginal conspirators against the Govern
ment to return to the Union and be restored
to their seats in Congress, there to form a
| party which is ultimately to defeat the Re
/ publicans or Unionists, and to give the pow
! er and the patronage of the Federal Govern
ment to the so called Democratic party E.
ven in the face of this demand on the one
! hand and complaint on the other, the men
who make both know we'll that the only pro-
cess by which the traitors can be put back
into Congress, and by which Jefferson Davis
can escape just punishment of his infamous
| crimes, and by which, if you please, slavery
in new and odious form may be reinaugu-
/ rated in the South, is to take from the Pres
! ident that war power by means of which we
may be ENABLED to conduct the struggle
with so much vigor.
The opponents of the new Constitution of