East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1865-01-25
Arbitrary Arrests in the United states.


The peculiar cases mentioned by Senator REy,
ERDY Johnson, of Maryland, Of arbitrary arrests
and imprisonment in that State, were fair illus
trations OF the right 10 personal liberty which hai
been enjoyed by the people OF the United States
under the present Administration. Fragrant and
wanton as they were in their character there have
been hundreds worse in their motives and NOR,
cruel in their executions.
Ii would be worth while for some industrious
compiler 10 make list Of ell the cases Of abb
trary seizures by the authorities at Washington
and their military agents in the loyal States in
the last four years. Such book-for II would
make great book, If a brief explanation wa,
made Of each case-is greatly needed now and
il will be invaluable In the future. We believe
the number Of these arrests made without any
authority Of law, and for no offense whatever, 10
crafty wicked, personal and political malice
reaches many thousands.
The amount of suffering which has been en-
dured by these innocent victims of arbitrary
power and by their families and friends, during
their long and protracted confinement, can hardly
be imagined much less described
There is nothing like it in iniquity and horror
10 be found in the worst pages Of modern history,
since the bloody days Of the French Revelation
in 1893 and 1894. Well might the intelligent OF
other lands wonder how such arrests could take
place among q people tnat nau poen supISosSo 90
possess the most superlative regard for personal
liberty, and for its protection by stringent law.
They have seen the statutes TO that effect dis
regarded by the authorities, (who had sworn te
obey them.) as If they were waste paper, only I'll
to be trampled in the dust They might well re-
mark that il was most impressive argument
against tho usefulness of written Constitutions,
to restrain the hand Of tyrannical power or keep
the fury Of political passion within bounds, The
Bill Of Rights was insisted upon as part Of the
Constitution by several Of the States. 1t was a
condition indeed Of their ratifying that instru-
ment but what has II amounted DO ON the first
occasion when il was really needed for protec-
toni
Two things have been remarkable in these
arrests-the boldness and audacity of those who
made or planned them and the strange conduct
Of large part Of the people respecting them.
The fact that they have all been made from
political party, has seemed to entirely satisfy
the other great political organization That has
appeared 10 say, what do we care for the wrongs,
outrages, and indignities that may be heaped up
on those who differ from us in opinion? We not
only will not inquire into the numerous cases Of
oppression, but without knowledge we will in
dorse, sustain them and the policy which dictates
them. They have been deaf TO the voice of JUS
tioe and humanity. They have bccn ninty as
rock and cold ioe, whom appealed 10 an tha
subject.
Alas alas This affords another evidence Of
the blindness Of party rage, and the moral in
sanity it produces. IL is not wonderful that free
governments fail, and that popular institutions
become a mockery, when dislike OF nm opinion is
carried TO the extent Of sustaining against il
atrocious individual crimes. Had any of the
adherents Of the party In power been treated to
the same prescription and punishment which was
visited upon thousands Of their opponents, the
whole organization would nave been in n blaze of
consuming indignation Yet, in lie blindness 1t
has not the sense 10 see that in sustaining prin-
cple of oppression IN regard to Others it Is stop
ping its mouth to just complaints, ii the chaiced
cup is ever commended to its own lips. In as
senting TO break down the barrier Of law, substi.
tuting In its stead the mere caprice Of the men in
authority. il has clothed its instrument with a
power that may, ere long, DO turned upon it. Lit
tie did those who started the Guillotine in the
French Revolution to punish their political oppo-
nents, foresee that their heads to fall by the
same instrument Apparently, for the last four
years. tho liberty, If not the life, of any citizen,
who entertained different political views from the
Administration, has been at the mercy of any
wretch, who, clothed with little brief authority,
chose to take it. Whether this state of things is
Y be continued or TO. is uncertain We under
platon 10 put a stop to these outrages, und TO de-
clare that hereafter in the loyal States no arrests
will be made except by the civil authorities, and
by due process or law.
If he does so it VIII bc an act Of simple justice
and plain duty, but one which, in these times, is
prevent him from obtaining popularity with those
he ought to court--the wise, the thoughtful, tho
liberal and humane.-C CiaeinnaH Enquirer.