The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-08-07
The wilkins Arrest,

AhC w hhAhS AEfCbt
We are gratfed that the suggestion we
made, that the delegation appointed to repre-
sent this city in the District Convention
should, upon their return from tie discharge
of their labors, represent to the President of
the United States, in behalf of our citizens,
the case of the late outrage of Major STAN
HOPE, meets with the hearty approval of
city contemporary. We are aware that the
suggestion will not be Endorsed by some, from
various motives; not, however, affecting its
real merits, but based upon considerations
which are averse to what is regarded as a
species Of agitation which may injure our
reputation for the peacefully disposed char
acter which we profess and possess. Ii the
case in question involved no principle, this
reluctance to "stir up the matter would be
attended with sufficient reason to induce 81
lence on our part; but, in the present case,
such reluctance to act would betray want
of appreciation Of our rights, which could be
interpreted into an abandonment of them, or
want of proper courage and self-respect,
which would not be at all creditable to us as
community. The case of Mr. WILKINS is
not to be viewed as an isolated or individual
one. 1t is really the case Of the entire people
Of this community The community it is
which has been outraged, in the person of one
Of its members, in matter which involves
their personal liberty. Amy one of our citi-
zens, no matter what Eaay be his position, is
liable to be arrested by Major STANHoPE, for
any act which he may deem Of "disloyaI"
tendency. He may be arrested, separated
from his family and sent under guard to Rich
mond. upon the Judgment of this military Of
fcer. Apart from this consideration, the
community owes it to the humblest fellow
citizen in our midst, to take every necessary
measure to protect him in his rights of citi-
=anship. 1t is u duty which society owes to
| each one OF It's member, and it is one which
society cannot neglect without violating its
obligations. 1t is painful to say so, but it is
characteristic of the social organism, that if
a prominent citizen had occupied the position
of Mr.. WILKINS, there would have been a
Clown meeting" called long since, and mu-
nicipal representation would have been 10
Washington before this.
We owe it to ourselves to obtain the opin-
ion Of the President Of the United States in
relation to the conduct of Major SrANHopE
If his action was authorised, let it be made
known to us, in order that we may be made
aware Of our true status, and remain no longer
in doubt upon point of such vital import
anoe to our individual liberty of action
II is proper, also, that it should be ascsr-
tanned whether the phrase in the order Al of
General TERRY-"during the existence of
martial law in this Department. one war
ranted by our present status In other words,
to ascertain whether OF not this Depart
ment'' is really under martial law" For,
unless we resist unauthorized encroachments
and exercise of power in the only way left us,
by an appeal to higher authority, we may
rest assured we shall continue to be trampled
upon. sltt. Eu
Let the people Of Norfolk bear in mind that
the arrest of Mr. WILKINS involves their own
freedom Of action, and that it is their bounden
duty to ascertain its limits, and whether or
not it has been fundamentally encroached
upon. To refuse to do so, betrays an unpar-
donahle disregard of their personal liberty