The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1867-03-13

TIE duOplIOH Oi CERTAIN dHtWuHbtHs " thC
Federal Constitution by vote OF the Leg
i,Iature elected under the new ConstItu-
ton. Seventh. the adoption Of said amend
ment by q sufficient number oiother States
to make il part Of the Constitution OF the
United States. All these conditions must
be fulfilled before the people oi any Of these
States can be relieved from the bondage OF
military domination but when they are full
filled, then immediately the pains aud pc
nalties Of the bill are 10 cease, no matter
whether there be peace and order or not,
and without any reference TO the security
of life or property. The excuse given Ter
the bill in the preamble is admitted BY the
bill itself not 10 be real. The military rule
which il establishes is plainly to De used
not for any purpose of order or TOR the pre- :
yentlon VI crime, bat sole " as means OF
coerciag the people into the adoption OF
principles and messores 70 which u Is
aao~n hat they arc opposed. and upon
sarch the. have an nnden,sbie right 10 ex-
src,.e meir avn judgment.
submit Ia Congress whether this mea-
sure i NOT, in il whole character. scope
aud object. without precedent ard without
authority. ia-palpable conflict with the
plainest provisions ol the Constitution, and
utterly destructive to those grea, princt-
pies OF liberty aud humanity i"r which our
ances,nrs on both sides of the Atlantic have
she'd 81 much blood and expended 50 much
treasure.
Tie ten States named in the bill are di-
yided into five districts. For each district
gn officer OF the army, not below the rank
Of brIsadler general, Is TO be appointed to
rule over the people and he Is Supported
with a. efficient military force TO enable
HIM 10 perform his duties and enforce his
authority. Those duties aud that authori-
". defined by the third seciion Of 'he bill.
are to protect all persons in their rights
nl person and property, TO suppress ln.ur-
rectiun, disorder aud violence, and to pun
ish. or cause to be punished, all tlisturhers
al the public peace or criminals" The
power thus given 10 the commanding otficer
os'r all the people of each district Is that
nl an absolute monarch. His mere will -
to take the place Of all law. The law Of the
states is now The only ruie applicable to
the subjects placed under his control. AMI
that i completely displaced by the clause
which declares all int, rlerence of State su-
thorlty 10 be null aud ,uld. tie slime Is
permitted to determine what are rights OF
person or property. aud he may protect
them 10 such way as in his discretion may
seem proper. l. places at his free disposal
all The lands and goods IN his district. and
he NAV distribute them without let or hin.
drance 10 whom he pleasrs. Being bound
by no State law. and there being no other
law 10 regulste the subject, he may make
criminal code ui his own and he can make
IL as bloody a. any recorded 10 history. or
he can reserve the privilege Of acting upon
the impulse Of his private passions IN each
case hat arises. lie is bound bv no rules
nl evidence there is, indeed. M provision
by which he i. authorized or required to
take any evidence at all. Everything is \
crime which lie chooses 10 call 50. and all
persons are condemned whom he pronounces
20 be guilty. lie il not bound to keep an.
record, or make any report Of his proceed.
ing.. lie may arrest his victims wherever
he finds them without warrant. accusation
or proof u probable cause. IL he gives them
a trial before he intiicts the punishment ne
gives Il 1t HI. grace and mercy. not because
he u commenL.,i - 20 do.
roa casual reader VI the bill. u might
seem ,ba, .ume slnd Of trial was secured
by u to pei sons accused ot crime but such
is not the case. The oliicer "may allow
local civil tribunals 10 try offenders" bot
OF course this does not require that he shall
do so. II any State or Federal court pre-
sumes 10 exercise its lrgal jurisdiction BY
the trial Of malefactor without his special
permission, he can sresk IL up and punish
the judges and jurors as being themselves
malstaetors. lie can save his friends from
justice and despoil bis enemies sOntrary 70