New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09

South or upon the North, upon
Southern planters or upon North
ern merchants. manufacturers and
mechanics? Every advantage gained
over abolitionism puts down the
rebellion. The Republicans insist
that martial law is superior TO con-
stitutional law and that the will of
generals in the field is above re-
straint."
James Brooks, another crafty pscifist
Of butts and ifs" in his address before
the Democratic Union in New York,
September 20, 1862, said
Where is the grant Of power in
the Constitution of the United States
which gives the President authority
TO annul whole states OF the Union and
to override all laws for the protec-
tion OF loyal menu | do not hesitate
20 say, cost what it may, that the
use Of such power is an arbitrary
and despotic exercise OF illegal and
unconstitutional power We want no
negro partnerships. If any Of you
citizens are imprisoned. do as the
French did in the midst of the revo-
lution-form large professions with
the red caps of liberty lifted over
every freeman's head" etc.
The pro-Vallandighsm Democratic
convention in Ohio denounced aboli-
tionists as traitors in 1853, and the
Albany convention of New York Demo
Gratis protested against the cowardly,
despotic, inhuman act of Punishment
Of Vallsndigham." President Lincoln,
in a letter TO an Immediately subse-
quent Albany mass meeting of protest,
wrote his striking exposition OF the
authority of the Executive in war
Observe how keenly Lincoln sensed the
subtletes and subterfuges OF these
seditionists. lie wrote:
"The Constitution is not In its APP
plication in all respects the same in
eases Of rebellion or invasion, in
volving the public safety, as it is in
time Of profound peace and public
security.
"The Constitution itself makes this
distinction, and | cannot be persuaded
that the government can constitu-
tionally take no strong measures In
time Of rebellion because 1t can be
shown that the same could not law
fully be taken in time of peace.
"Nor am ] able TO appreciate the
danger apprehended by the meeting
TAT Albany that the American peo-
pie will, by means of military arrest
during the rebellion, lose the right
of public discussion. the liberty OF
speech. the law of evidence, trial by
jury and habeas corpus throughout
the indefinite peaceful future which,
trust, lies before them.
Must | shoot supplemented SOL
der boy who deserts. while | must
not touch the hair Of willy agitator
who induces him to desert?
"The man who stands by and says
nothing when the peril of his govern
ment is discussed cannot be mis-
understood. II not hindered he is
sure TO help the enemy; much more
If he talks ambiguously-talks for
his country with butts and ifs and
'ands.'
at was undoubtedly we'll pom
dered reliance with them that in
their own unrestricted efforts to de-
stroy the Union, Constitution and
law, the government would be in
degree restrained by the same Con-
stituton and law from arrestlng
their progress.
From this material. under cover
of liberty of speech liberty Of the
press and 'habeas corpus they
hoped to keep on foot among US a
most efficient corps of spies, inform
ers, suppliers and aiders and abet-
tors of their cause in thousand
ways.
~ think the time will not unlikely
come when l shall be blamed for hav-
ing made too few arrests rather than
ton nanvn