The Placer herald., 1865-03-04
A Word from Reverdy Johnson.

From the Daily Globe, Dec. 2lst, we ex
trac, the following portions of speech made
in the Senate by Reverdy johnson, on reso
luIions of inquiry into the cause of the arrest
Of Col. Richard T. Jacobs, Lieut.. Governor
of the State Of Kentucky, and Col. Frank
Wo.ford, one Of the Presidential electors Of
that State.
Mr.. Johnson states case Illustrating the
alarming usurpaion in America, "a usurpa.
ton so unparalleled in itself, and of such mon
strous atrocty as ought to appal the most
unscrupuous Abolitonist in existence. II
a brief and authentic statement Of the man.
ner in which Democratic majority in the
Legislature of Maryland was reduced to a
minority by an exercise of power, the very
intamy of wh.ch ought to send its perpelra
tors into a lifetime punishment.
Mr., johnson said:
But rose more especially to state a case
which will show the Senate the great extent
to which this usurpation of authority has
been extended At the late election in Ma.
ryland, when the question before the people
was whether the Constitution framed by the
Convention who had that subject under con-
sderation should be adopted by the people
or not, gentleman OF Caroline county,
Union from the beginning of this civil strife,
and Union still, offered to vote. and took the
oaths prescribed, every one of them, answer
ed every question propounded to him, but
was refused and he sued the Judge of elec
ton, as he had perfect right to do The
military commander in Baltimore, bv some
persons Immediately in the ne9hborhood
where the fact occurred, being informed of
1t, the gentleman was arrested having com,
mtted no otfense at all, unless Gf that be an
otfense) suing the Judge for refusing to re-
ceive his vote, brought to the city Of Balti-
more thrown into prison, but his friends
were not permitted to see him, and bave not
been permitted, as believe, since to see
him.
That is one case. The last election in our
State for members OF our Legislature result,
ed in the choice of majority of citizens
who were called Democrats. There was a
majority of two in the Senate of Maryland
One of them, elected from one of our coun-
ties, said to be timid man, was threatened
with arrest if he did not resign, and he re
signed. But that left a majority still. ln
the county Of Somerset, where Democrat
was elected, receiving majority Of between
three and four thousand votes, he received a
very polite letter from the general ia com
mand, asking him in substance whether he
thought it was right that he should take his
seat in the Senate of Mary land, as he had
raised rebel flag, in April, 1861, upon his
own premises. lie replied to t-l have the
reply by me courtoously, denying the
charge, protesting that it was altogether
false, asking permission to satisfy the major
general that it was false, saying that he would
come up at any moment in order to lay be,
fore him the proofs which he said he had to
establish the fact of its tasehood, and the
reply to the request was file of soldiers
and his arrest; and he was brought to the
city of Baltimore, thrown into the most
loalhsome dungeon, which had formerly been
used as a mere slave pen, without bed cloth.
ing to lie upon, and the next day, without
investigation and opportunity for defense, he
was sent South by order OF the major general.
Mr.. President it is very strange that at
this time of day, after we have been, up to
the beginning of this rebellion, the freesl
people upon the face of Gods earth, pro.
tec,ed by every guarantee deemed at all ma
terial to secure individual liberty, we should
be seriously disputing whether i, is in the
power Of the Executive of the United States,
to seize citizen, and incarcerate him, and
punish him without trial. Why, sir if such
doctrine was announced in the House Of
Commons, in England, or in the House Of
Lords, it would strike with dismay and as'
constituent the men who are entitled to the
privileges and the rights of Magma Charta;
and our rights are just as extensive if not
more extensive. Let us then say to the
President, if it be necessary to say ii to him,
but above all, let us say it to those who are
acting in subordinate capacities under him,
''Your arms shall not be laid upon single
American citizen without cause and he shall
be at liberty, if you assig" cause, to prove
its falsehood."