Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1866-10-31
Disregard of Law


The Democrat, whenever hard run for
argument, has an unfailing resource in
resUrrecting the dongs of A braham Lin
coin, who it alleges arrested and impris-
Oned without law and in disregard of law
about 20o0 persons, and then cites the civ-
IL clause in the Constitution which for
bids such arrests.
Among all the strange things which
have taken place in our history since the
inception and downfall of the rebellion,
this habitual ignoring of that part Of the
Constitution which authorizes u suspen-
sion Of the writ of habeas corpus, or in
other words declaring martial law, is one
Of the most incOmprehensible, because if
ever a case occurred in which it ought to
have been exercised it surely was at
time when the very existence of our gov
ernment was at stake, and when in fact
it was difficult to tell, either North or
South, who was loyal or dsloyal. Is the
editor OF the Democrat really so ignorant
rs noi to know that martial tar super
cedes ALL other iUlC wherever it is declar-
ed ? It's declaration il an executive act,
and therefore rightfuIly belongs to the
President. He in turn is responsible to
the people, through Congress, for his acts,
and a. the people have more than once
given an emphatic verdict of approval of
his COURSE, it is too late in the day, and
too undemOcratic to censure him for acts
which only too lightly punished these
2O1a aidcrS and abettors of treason, most
Of whom, underauy other government on
earth, would have been summarly hung
or shot like mad dogs. That there was
no Such reign Of terror as the Democrat
imagincs, IS evident from the thousands
who were never molestcd even when they
were giving aid and comfort to the rebels
by openly justifying treason and perjury
by opposing all measures necessary to
put down the rebelli0n-and by express
sionS directly wishing them success. For
our part, we believe that had the Presi-
dent arrested some 5000 or 10000 more OF
these northern traitors, tried them by mil
itary tribunals packed with democratic
officers and hung gOOdly number, we
believe the war would have been ended at
least one year sooner, and thousand mil
lions of dollars saved. In Gen. Jackson's
days, when democracy was all powerful,
he did not wait for forms of law to put
down rebellion, but sent good force OF
soldiers and ships of war TO Charleston.
and had Calhoun's rebels fired on them,
few leaders would have lived to sue for
pardon or attempt to again force them
selves into Congress or had q rebellion
broken out, and he would have deemed it
necessary to arrest One-third of the people.
north and south, in order to preserve the
government he would have done so, and
the people would have justified him.
President Lincoln's acts were all done
with view to preserve our country. and
although some may not have been accord
ing 70 the letter OF the law, majority
nave said he did right. 1t is also worthy
OF remark that during all those troubles,
toy0I men, no matter what their party
preferences, had nothing to fear; but those
only who, playing the part of fdemagogues
sought 10 sJir up the people to resist the
government under the plea that it was ac.
ting illegally, and thus aided and strength
ened the rebellion. In connection will
this subject we may state that one of tn,
most arbitrary acts cOmmittcd-that O
arresting the Maryland Legislature-aCd
at thc jnStiGdttOn and by the order 0
George b. Mcclellan! Such an act at AN,
other time than n rebellion ought to b
severely punished, but under the circum
stances, it defeated the rebel programm
in Maryland, and in our view was iustifi
able as a war measure.
Chief Justice Chase's decision does me-
cover all the cases cited by the Democrat
but only extends so far that a0I.erc ci,,
{dt0 tcas IN fcRI force it was illegal to dc
termine such cases by military tribunal.
The Democrat would hardly pretend t
say THAT civil law was in full force in NJ,
ryland, eatucky, Tennessee, Missour
DC, during the war, and part of Pennsy
Vania during the inyasions. AS for th
record men made during the war, the
must "6'de 6y it, and their children afte
them. for although an efforS gas made
the late election to make copGerheac
good democrats and deserters good SO
diers and citizens, it will not answer lon
with the American People.
Beg Dba riy-ar r,,Sa Savarol FOO, ,,,,4 - -