The mountain Democrat., 1865-06-17
RE 'noUHTAIH DEMOCRAT.
N~&s 9 '. Alsa caltssrniA.
h. RaxlsYaS Defence.

He. RtEAsyss Defence.
EDaHOas ARA Now that the trial Of
che SalvGdor prisoners has been brought
20 IN end and their case submitted, where
Il b pesssmed that popular cla,nOr or
newspaper e0@ment will not affect the
Tssuk ~ prc3adiee their interests, will you
permit me TO reply to some Of the UMkind
eOm@ents Of your tOurnalP
desire to say this: That in Drejudging
The gsilt of the prisoners befOTe trial, II
See'ns 10 me that you have been guilty Of
conduct unworthy the representatives. Of
Asres prose; ySO hH&r Z =. - Z l4&t-SAN
llnd no paIliatiOn or excuse from right.
thinking und intelligent community.
In denying them the privilege Of coun.
sei, you have attacked principle Of free
government dear to the people, and one
which il guaranteed BY the Constitution
oG the United States-s principle respect.
Cd snd acknowledged by every gentleman
Of any profession. The duty 81 counsel
60 persons accused Of crime is settled as q
question Of ethics by the best authorities
81 England and America. and has been &C.
quiesced IN for more than q century Of
time. In turning attention from the qIes.
iiOns discussed in my argument for the
prisoners, it seems to me you have raised
false issue.
, Whelber ! have been guilty Of the bad
taste Or SHeerihg at EfloyAl commander in
the American navy, can ne = qnrsliOn Of
little moment; but whether n Military
Commission has q right. in time of peace,
10 try civil offences aud to arbiIrale upon
questions Of life and death, iS one Of those
vital questions which the press and the
pcOpl: must meet
The Hon. DeIOs Lake did not seek TO
answer this part Of my argument, and for
the simple reason, doubtless, that it is'un.
aRsWerable.
You have sneercd at the right Of trial
BY jury when you say that persOniicA-
ton Of Justice In . straight ~aistcOat,
called . Jury"-~heB you seek to put
the military above the civil tribunals in
the administration Of Justice.
Did the writer OF that editorial really
mean, and does the whole series Of your
articles bear the interpretation, that you
are tired Of jury trial and seek to set up
military commissions ia its placsf IL 30,
you are guilty Of . most monsirous heresy
against the principles Of free government
you are attacking the liberties Of the
pe0ple-you are undermining the very
foundation OF our Republic and striking
bloV at civilization, religion, and con.
stitutio0sl liberty.
You knOw, if you have read my argu.
ment, that there is not one word, or line.
Or ssNtiment 10 Il excusing accession or iu
paliiation Of the rebellion; not one Thought
that might not be entertained by a loyal
man and you do not mark the signs Of
the times II you dO not know that the
American people will utterly repudia ,e
the idea Of military tribunals exercising
authority in . time of peace.
The var ia ended quiet is restored
ami 10 establish = military commission
upon this coast at this time for the trial
Of civil Offences. is a. act "f UsurpatiOn ot
power for which there is neither palliation
nor excuse.
u Inv l"yalty iS IN he measured by an
approval OF this, or kindred acts. then do
! submit to have that LOYALTY questioned.
Following y"ur lead. other Journals
have threatened me nth defeat oi n sup.
posed political ambition have said that
for defending "pirats," ! am bal cit
iZcn.
I am content, anil no. say that | am
willing u ahandon socill position, pro.
fesSiOnAl emolumrn:s, or political Rmhi-
tion. H they cannot be secured without
Snlideliiy 10 clients and base pandrring
"a the popular clamOr in upholdinS mill.
tary uSurpatiOn.
Il iS not for the Salvador prisoners that
I write this article. II is not in sympathy
for rrbels defeated in their mad effort 10
destroy the Government Of the United
States Bot il is because believe mill
Iary tribunals are dangerous tO the PxiS.
tence Of the Republic. Il is b. cause il is
the first step toward tyranny aud h"cauAe
! believe thai, whoever in authority rnn-
tinueS these com missions, now that thr
military necessity no lnnger requires th' ir
cxi,trnce, I raise my protest against their
continuance.
love the Union party too we'll to see
il or it's officers in authority commit this
worse than crime this terrible blMnder.
love the country for the preservation "i
which we have waded thrnugh 70 much
blood too well too see its Administration
NV peril its welfare ny this crime against
liberty.
Il is time, now, at the very commence
ment OF this effort, for thinking men to
raise their cry against its contamination.
It l. time fnr the press with united et-
a-rN u crush out this egg [ tyranny be-
aOre il haichrs its monster of oppression.
And mes. Mr. Ed;tT, hc.i"ve the it j.
40, mere ee0,ism that prompts this CON
'aluHiez4i..n. sad beg "f yOn 10 discuss
the question invArved. and not myself. =
Tt IL easy 20 swim ~ith the current and
'be popular at the expense ~ right II Is
sometimes hard to stem the current IN the
.HeGsmseof the right B1t IL ~ che dnty
of eveFy.gOOA citizen ~ho asPirrs (aS de-
Net) 10 6e . leader Of public opinion, to
somclisass eyep dare their favor in defence
of.A ptiWiiple.
j Sm, very nsNpeetfalIy. yours.
D1vIcv