Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-01-27
Arbitrary Arrests ~ Important
Debate.


Representatives are becoming alarmed be
cause Of arbitrary arrests and militar!
commissions. A good omen Justice
though slow, is sure, and Liberty is no
dead, but sleopelh. When MeMaster an,
Wall and others were seized in 1861
scarce a murmur or complaint arose eveI
from men calling themselves Democrats
and with but two OF three exceptions th,
Democratic press of the country every
where was dumb. A year later som'
progress had been made, and these arbi
trary proceedings were generally condemn
ed by Democrats, though Mr.. Pendleton'i
motion then, for an inquiry, received but
twonty-six votes-scarce half the number
of Democratic members Of the House. In
the spring of 1868, upon the arrest Of Mr.
Vsllandigham, the Democratic indigna-
tion swelled to a tempest; but with here
aud there an exception, Republicans ae-
quiesced in or applauded all these outrO-
ges. In the Senate and House but one
man, calling himself Republican, { SEN
ator Cowan, Of Pennsylvania, ever lifted
up his voice against them. But on the
18th of this month a remarkable spectacle
was exhibited in the House Of Repre-
sentatives at Warrington. A resolution
of inquiry into arbitrary arrests and i'm
prisonmeRts at the Old Capitol, had been
adopted. Thaddeus Stevens moved to re-
consider the vote. An earnest debate
sprung up. Only three Democrats par
ticipated. Some very important and
startling facts were elected. Mr. Ganson,
of New York, said
knew that one Of my constituents had
been confined in the Capitol prison ever
since the 9th oil October last, who had faith
fully served his country in the army for three
years and halt, and who had held the posi-.
ton OF Captain He did not know why he
was arrested, No charges we're made against
him, to his knowledge, and none have been
made TO this day. ] was credibly informed
that there were several other cases similar to
that, both of civilians and officers and men
in the army,
was informed by the Chairman OF the Mill.
tary Committee that complaints of this char
acter were so numerous that the Committee
was on the point of introducing joint reso.
luton to have commission go over the en-
tire country to investigate all the prisons in
the land. This resolution is confined to the
prisons within speaking distance Of this Cap
itol.
Mr. Coflroth of Pennsylvania, said
know that Lieutenant Nelson, a brave
and gallant officer from my district, has been
confined in The Capitol prison for four long
months BY permission OF the Secretary OF
War | went on Monday last to see him, and
he told me that there had been no charges up
to that time preferred against him, aud that
he did not know why he was imprisoned. He
had served IN the army two years he had
been wounded and had limb amputated and
he was hobbing through that prison on
Mr. Kassop, of Iowa, leading Republican,
said:
desire to add my testimony, so far as it
may go-and will give my reasons for il, to
the propriety OF tho investigation proposed.
1t would constitute not the slightest objection
with me, resting my opinion on facts within
my own knowledge, that it may imply cen.
sure on one Department of the Government
Tor believe that the time has arrived when
it is due to the people Of this country that
Congress shall examine the extent and man
ner in which the power of the Secretary of
War is exercised | state it on my response
biity as a member OF the House, that an or
der taken from the President to the Secretary
OF War for certain object has been met
with the reply, 81 shall not do il sir" and
when an explanation has been asked it has
been met with the reply II do not propose
to argue the question; am responsible to
the President, and to him alone, for my con-
duct" When representative OF the people
is met by a responsible olHcer of the Govern
ment in that way, it constitutes with me no
objection to a proposition that il may posi-
bly, imply censure oa the bead OF an Execu-
tive Department
Now, sir, urge the adoption of this res
olutlon Tor the reason that when an officer
has it in his mental constitution to shut OF
from the representatives of the people every
from his Department as the Sec.
retary OF War has done by general order, ex-
cept it be given by himself or on his own
express order-no matter il the information
even be whether some poor womans only son
has been killed in battle-and when, 10 add.
tion to that, he positively denies his respon.
sibity to the Congress OF the United States.
and ahirms it to be the President alone, re-.
mittiDg us to our own forum. thiAk the time
has come when Congress should inquire how
far that arbitrary habit Of minds extends,
touching the libertisA of citizens throughout
this broad land .f....
One thing more: if he be the man he is
charged with being, who could in June last
have exchanged prisoners of war of the Uni.
ted States on terms recognized throughout