The Grand Haven news., 1865-05-31

We are not pstiisans nor is ours ia any
sense or TO any extent party paper
We aim to issue an independent, Impair
tinl sheet. And il is in this view, and
because conductors Of the public press
have duty 10 discharge, which, as cou-
scieotious men, they may not slight OF
omit, that we enter our protest against
the Military Commission now sitting in
Washington for The trial Of persons ac-
cused not Of having committed, but Of
having been accessory to the murder Of
Presidents Lincoln and the murderous as
sault on Mr.. Secretary Seward.
Martial law does not prevail in the city
Of Washington. Washington is not .
camp All the courts, civil and criminal,
which in The most peaceful times had ju-
risdction in that city, exists in full vigor
now. 1t can not be said that Washing
ton is under martial law. If not so then
the civil law is the rule, and all men nc
cused are entitled TO be tried thereby.
Ii makes no difference that Mr.. Lincoln
is, under the Constitution, nominally com
mander-in-cbief Of the army. He was
10 a remarkable degree at that time pri
vate citizen. He was in citizens dress,
with a party Of friends, socially, at a place
of amusement, theater. The play was
a light piece called " Our American Cous-
iu.' 1T is absurd, it is a mockery TO say
that Mr.. Lincoln was then and there
commander Of the army ofsthe Union.
Certainly Mr.. Seward was not acting
10 any military capacity when the afro
cious attempt was made upon bis life
What has the Secretary. Of State to do
with the armyY Mr.. Seward was confin-
ed To his bed from the effect Of a severe
accident, helpless invalid. p
Martial law not prevailing and neither
of the victims acting in any military ca
pacity would seem to settle that the trial
of. the accused ought not TO be before a
military tribunal. 'k'aN
But the Constitution of the United
States has some provisions in regard to
trials which out to be respected.
The 81 article of the Constitution says,
"The trial of all crimes except in cases
of impeachment shall be by jury"
The 5th article Of Amendments 10 the
Constitution says, gall
"No person shall be held TO answer
for capital or otherwise infamous crime,
unless on a presentment or Indictment Of
a grand jury"
Article 9th of Amendments says,
"ln all criminal prosecutions, the accus-
ed shall enjoy che right to speedy and
public trial, by.aa impartial Jury Of the
State or district wherein the crime shall
have been committed; to be confronted
with the witness against him, &C."
BY the Military Commission these
provisions are violated. The proceeding
is worthy Of Austria. We will not dwell
upon the fact that the military court is
appointed by Mr.. Stanton at his own ar
btrary discretion. That Is tyranny enough.
But The enotmi,y which would arouse the
people is, that any such tribunal should
be created, irresponsible, secret, directly
opposed to the Constitution, the Charter
of the liberties Of all OF us.
+ These opinions we do not chose to en-
large upon; there is no need, ought 10
be no need at this day, ip this country, TO
defend Trial by jury, nor TO protect against
military and secret tribunals. The lnqui-
sition and the Star Chamber are argu-
ments more potent than any logic of
words. The Constitution Of our Union
must bo respected, or we none of US have
any rights The innocent and the guilty
will be confounded In one ruin. Before
seeing a. word of how Others view il, the
whole thing struck Us painfully. Upon
dwelling upon il anxiety for the future in
creases. And we find now that these
abuses alarm men Of all political parties.
1t is denounced by the New York 7ri-
6ame, Times, Journal of Commerce,
World, Independent, Springfield Repub-
lican and others, and is by no paper de-
Tended. ad itNtl s fei4
We 90 for rigid enforcement Of the
laws. If we who claim to be law abiding
men, violate the law when it suits our
purposes to do so, will not our condemna-
tien be as great as that of those who,
having less light or dulIer sense Of duty,
commit the more violent offences against
God and maul Rather than have a Sc
cret trial we would prefer a postponement
for six months, or ill all the parties i'm
plicated, so far as possible, had been ar
rested.-- Boston Recorder, Nay IL.
"a .,ra, -s------4----asi asa
The N. Y. Herald Of the 9th inst, says
the Government has reduced its coal or
d.~s f.,,, IN mn time nor dsv 10 q 000 |