The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1865-06-16
5tlist&IIane0us.
From the MeoD York Tribune.
Secret Military Trials.

There is curious old document in ex-
istence, known as the Constitution of the
United States, which formerly had the
force and effect of law in that large por-
ton of our country not specially douina-
ted by the Slave Power. Under the rule
of our present Cabinet, it seems to have
gone out of fashion; and since Mr.. STAN
toms accession to the control of the War
Department, it has become practically OBJ
solete. Loyal Citizens did not much
mind this while Civil War convulsed the
country, threatening the permanent over
throw of our Liberty and Nationality
but, now that the war is practically end
ed, it seems high time that the old parch.
ment were exhumed and treated with
some show of respect. There being, ap-
parently, no copy extant in the Federal
City, we quote from one in our possession,
for the instruction and admonition of our
magnates, certain Amendments proposed
by the States when ratifying the instru-
ment, which, being duly approved and
adopted, became an integral part of our
fundamental law-as follows:
ART. V. No person shall be held to
answer for capital or otherwise infam Gus
crime, unless on q Presentnaent or andact-
ment Of Grand Jury, except IN cases
arising an the land or movat forces, or IN
the militia Ulten ia actual Seruice in time
of war or public danger; nor shall any
person be subject for the same offense to
be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ;
nor shall he be compelled in any criminal
case to be witness against himself, nor
be deprived of life, liberty Or property,
aoithoat due process Of laao nor shall pri-
vate property be taken for public use
without just compensation.
ART. vi. In all criminal prosecutions,
the accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial, by an impartial
Jury of the State and district wherein
the crime shall have been committed,
which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law; to be confronted with
the witnesses against him to have COM
pulsory process for obtaining witnesses in
his favor, and to have the assistance of
counsel for his defense.
ART. VII. In suits at common law,
wherein the value in controversy shall
exceed twenty dollars, the right Of trial
by Jury shall be preserved and no fact
tried by a Jury shall be otherwise re.ex-
amined in any court of the United States
than according to the rules of the COM
mon law.
ART. VIII. Excessive bail shall not be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punishment inflicted.
We have made our citations full, not
merely in Difference to the apparent mac
feasibility of the document at Washing
ton, but because we wished every reader
to see that the passages we have placed in
italics are not garbled nor picked, but
that they are Of the essence and vitality
of the Constitution itself. Being so, how
can we justify, or excuse, or even keep
silence with regard to the Military Trials
just initiated at Washington A mis-
creant, acting in concert with other as
sassins, has attempted the life of the Sec
rotary of State, and, though his purpose
was defeated, he nevertheless severely
wounded Gov, Seward, his oldest son, and
two or three others who nobly resisted
him OF course, this villain and his con.