Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-04-05
AIiAiHSr TILE MILirARY ACrS. IVY


AGAINST THE MILITARY ACTS.
+ An application was made to-day TO file
an important bill Of complaint with the Su.
prems Court OF the United Statsa m ,hs
-, =. M;..,..-, - W s1e
PP' .K"us' hnon" John.
son. rres'eent OF the United States; and
General Z. o. O. Ord. December 10, 1917.
Mississippi was admitted As n NS,.,s ,.nars
.;,rsxo.,h,s. .na ,,r,.,,..,,.,
anu "unsteraoie' compacts, OF
winch Ills Claimed, the court should on force
the performance. 1t Is ayerred that Missis-
sinpi ia ana b.s 80. S.--."-
..r.' ,,. S'@'e' WIN eou-
s"'"'.on iepuo"can Ia iorm' ana property d-
mlnistereo; that she acknowledges the Consti-
tuition as the supreme law, aud claims her
right 80 appeal to this court 1t lie denied that
~ was ever possible for the people or state, in
Its corporate capacity, to dissolve its connec-
ton with the United States, 10 view of the
surrender OF certain rights, and the guarantee
OF the rights and privileges Of q State; that
any attempt SO to do is a nuliity, which the
state mas formerly conceded, and further. that
she cannst be expelled; nor Is there any power
TO SUBJECT her to pains, penalties, and disabti-
ies under the Constitution; and any disabili-
ties imposed on citizens, ex cept afer jury trial,
are contrary to the Constitution.
Inc state admits 'that by the wrongful acts
OF part OF her citizens, ana the neglect Of the
federat onthor,fies TO, protect the loyal her
goSefnhent became olgorEanized but this Is
corrected oy the people,w no have reorGanizsd
government republican in form, which mas
secured ner recognition as q State by Con-
~
by TINS court. Even II there were irreguiari-
uesln these acts they have been cured by the
sovereign act OF the people In voluntary as
sem oiage. The state showed her good faith in
the eiecuon OF Senators and Representatives,
wnlch nave been excluded from Congress,
lhougn ner people are compelled topay taxes;
and tine remaining twenty-six States have
passed an act, which Is the special object of
complaint, with supplement both being an
nexed TO the bill. These two acts anninilate
the STATE, subordinate the civil to the military
power, set precedent for military des pot
ism which makes naught all the safeguards o
Lioery, ano oivioes the south into m ilitary
oisuIcts, Wnere the Will ora soloier Is the law.
Oonip,sinahe avers ana charges, tnat the
80 - ion Vi saIu oc'e, oy eniofcins them IN
the manner thereln provided, will cause and
produce immediate and irreparable mischief
IN .ne states 10 when IL applies, as must be
manifest 10 the court In tuls, that they are
iepughant 10 the feoerai Constitution, and
Sloiale the spirit, the purpose, and tbs object
OF .he coInpacts between Georgia, Virginia.
anu sne thiIeu STATES ~ VIII deprive the
States OF every attribute OF State authority,
ana practicaily annlhilate them as States. by
converting them into subordinate dependen.
eles; II VIII derarge the whole system OF in.
.ernaI or oomestic aHairs, IL will annul their
legisiauon, and subvert their whole judicial
system, inasmuch es il declares the State gov
eminent illegal; IL may annul all contracts and
ii.ies 10 properly made with reference TO ex-
listing laws; IL will deprive the people of their
most sacred rights-their exemption from ar
rests except on warrant founded on affidavit,
Va tno ihtciNe utlon OF u grand Jury,
and their right OF trial by jury-and establish
aroitrary and despotic military powers on the
runs OF their constitutional rights II will
produce traln OF irreparable mischiefs that
may not be corrected for years as the Coprt
will readily perceive, and they can only be
prevented by very speedy application Of the
restraining powers of this court But, above
all, these acts. If maintained, establish a pre.
cedent by which Congress, composed of A ma
iority of States, may, at pleasure exclude any
State, or any number OF States, from the
American Union.
The bill further alleges that MANY legal
questions will avis. ander tbess ,c,s ,vhssh