North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-05-24

throw OF OUT HUeTbS Snu uAtiounhty; out
NV that the war Is practically ended, it
seems high ,ims that the old parchment
we're exhumed and treated with some show
of respect. There being, apparently. no
copy extant in the Federal city, We quote
from one in our posse ssion, for the isstruc-
ton and admontion Of our magnates, certain
amendments prodosed by the States, when
ra,ifying the instrument, which, being duly
approved and adopted, became an integral
part of our fundamental law-as follows:
Arr. v. No PEI son shall be beld TO an
swer for capital or otherwise infamous
crime unless, by presentmcnt or indictment
of Grand Jury except in cases arising in
the land cr naval forces, or in the militia
when IN actual service in time of war or pub
lie danger nor shall any person be subject
for the same offense to be twice put in jeop'
ardy of life or limb; nor shall he be com
PEELED in any criminal case to be witness
against himself, nor be deprived oflife, liberty
or property, WITHOUT DUE PROCESS OF LAW
nor shall private property be taken for public
use without just compensation.
: ART. vi. In all criminal prosecutions, the
accused shalt enjoy the right to O 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 compulsory process for obtaining wit
nesses IN his favor, aud to have the assistance
of counsel for his defense.
ART. VII in suits ut c,mrlon law, where
in the value in controversy shall exceed tweu-
ty dollars, the right Of trial by jury shall be
preserved; and no fact tried by sjury shall
be otherwise re-exsmined in any court Of the
United States than according to the rule oi
the common law.
Art, viii. Excessive bail shalt not DO re-
qursd, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishment inflicted.
We have made our citations full, not mere
ly IN Difference TO the apparent inaccessibility
OF the document at Washington. but because
We. wished every reader to see that the pas
sages we have placed in Hdlics are not garb
les nor picked, but that they are Of the es-
seDce aud 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 assas.ina.
has attempted the life uf the Secretary OF
State, and, though his purpose was defeated,
he nevertheless severely wounded Governor
Seward, bis oldest s"n, and two OF three oth-
ers W ho nobly resisted him. OF course; thi4
villain and his cpnfederates should be sternls
dealt with /; but why not according to law
What reason, what excuse. can be urged to
justify The sending Of this case before q court
martial and having it tried in secret2 How
can such a trial be recpnciled with the
plain PFC visions Of the Constitution above
quoted
As to the military trial Of those who con
dent, and aided to achieve that fell purpose
the outrage is not so fragrant; but such rial
is at best blunder. while enshrouding il IL
secresy is utterly indfenslbIe To try doc
tor for his lie, because he set s,ranger'~
broken bone and gave or sold, Or lent him
pair of crutches may just do but to try him
in secret allowing no report of the testimony
but such as the prosecution sees fit 10 make,
is nothing less than abominable. Two months
ago, it would have been endured for the coun
iry's sake now, there is no reason that i,
should be. We warn all who take any volun
tary part IN these strange proceedings thai
rebellion is suppressed, the war is at an end,
and the right to suspend the privilege of habe
as corpus and make the will OF Secretary of
War the supreme law of the land. has expir-
ed. If our present Secretary cannot be made
10 reslIze these grave trutb., it is high time
he had a successor; and if our Attorney
General believes the assai LIANT Of Secretary
Seward now illegally triable before military
cnmmission," he badly needs his own time
for the completion Of his legal studies, while
the government needs different law officer.
There may be poter ways Of setting forth
these convictions, but Done Of these would do
them justice.
Gentlemen of the Cabinet the war east
ward of the Mississippi is ended the rebel
hon is suppressed ; the Union is reestabEsh.
ed, and peace virtually restored wherefore
the people demand OF you a speedy and thor
ough return 20 the safe and orderly ways Of
law and liberty. Do not compe: them to
speak in tones that you cannot refuse to
hear
(From the Phila. Ledger, 18th met