The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-01-09
,.1,-,;e PRINCIPLES Forcib,y Expressed.

Trae Principles Forcibiy Expressed.
We find our views, on the subject Of
Military Commissions, and the duty Of
President johnson, SO ably expressed b.
the New York Freeman's Journal, one Of
the ablest and boldest Journals in the
country, that we adopt them. And in this
connection VIC must say that the mass of
the Southern people, while. they are crate
full to Mr. johnson for all he has done,
are kept from an earnest and hearty sup
port Of his policy, for the reasons express
ed by the Journal. In speaking Of the
President orders in relation to Dr.. Wat
son s case and others, the journal says:
All honor to the President for each
isolated act Of this kind, that he does
But, oh, why does he plant allthese cases,
as well as dozens that are less noised, but
which tester in the hearts Of freemen be-
cause not attended to- on the great and
broad principle Of American Constitution
al law, that the civ;7 poarer IS superior to
tie military, and that no ceercise Of mill
tary authority orer cssaltG'ls. not camp
fllouers, IS compatible Nth oar laars for
,freemcn?
The President proclaims that the whole
country, all the States, and Territories,
and possessions, Of the United States, are
IN peace Why, then, does he not issue a
general order, commanding ali his militia
~ subordinates to open the prison doors
to every one held in durance, except on
! the commitment OF a civil magistrate
which must be temporary, or on conylc-
ton before court known to the laws of
the United States (?
There are thousands Of Americans, in
tellieent, influential, brave. and capable
of bringing or Withholding support to
President johnson, who are tied down
from supporting him on this ground. It
is a principle, not a sentiment. Are we
governed by laws, or are VIC governed by
meu, without regard to law !? That is the
question? As respects this principle, it
makes no difference to frcemen, with the
proper appreciation Of principle, wheth-
er it be the illustrious Jefferson Davis,
Soldier, Senator, Secretary Of War, and,
for a time, Executive Head of great
people whose struggle will live ia history,
or whether it be poor Spangler, the help
ing carpenter of the low Washington
theatre where Lincoln joked and was shot,
and who knew, probably, nothing about
the murder. The position in society Of
a man has nothing to do with the princi-
pie Of law If man so illustrlous as
Jefferson Davis can be seized, as he was,
on the mere order of President johnson,
and held a prisoner, year after year, no
mans liberty is secure. The humblest
man that carries hod, or handles pick
axe, may on moments warning, be taken
| from his home, and wife and children,
and kept prisoner till he rots there If
numbscull like Spangler can be run off
to perpetual prison, on the order Of clique
unknown to the laws, and solumnly pro-
nounced lauzess body by the Supreme
Court of the United States, then there is
no gentleman, however high, or however
pure, that may not be snapped up by a
military agent, and committed to perpetu-
al imprisonment.
We fear that President johnson does
not duly appreciate this real difficulty
among men that would far rather support
than oppose him These doubling men
are worthy Of consideration. They are
asking, or wanting, no Offices from the
President. They want to help him, not
for him TO help them. They cannot do
it, because he is, day by day, trampling on
all the dearest interests Of freemen. lie
is holding American citizens IN durance
vile, on an arbitrary order Of arrest, and
| by a sentence declared null and void.
!. J. x *
What We most earnestly urge on Presl-
dent johnson, as we have urged hereto
fore, is that he give to well-meaning men,
not addicted to party unreasonably, the
safe opportunity Of supporting him, by his
supporting the la,es, and setting free all
men held prisoners without due warrent
of law from Jefferson Davis down to
Spangler. And, moreover, that he warn
his military subordinates, not only not to
interfere with the civil authorities any
where, but that they shall be punished if
they do SO interfere.
Then tens Of thousands of men will
take heart Of hope in supporting him, be-
cause he will be supporting the laws"
Decision of the Supreme Court On
Military Commissions.
The following is a clear synopsis Of this
important decision 1.-THE opinion Of the
Supreme Court, in the case Of NIilligan,
has been published. He was tried by a
military commission and convicted. It