Year: 1863

have received Information that the draft is
about TO be maie in the cities of New York and
BROOKLYN. and understand that there j. danger
of disOrderly and iiot0us attacks upon those who
are engaged in executing the law of Congress


| cannot believe that any considerable number
of citizens are disposed to renew the shameful
and sad scenes of the past month. in which the
lives Of so many, as we'll of the innoeeht rs of
the guilty, were destroyed. Our courts are now
consigning to severe punishment many of those
who were then guilty of acts destructive of the
lives AMI property of their fellow citizens. These
events should teach all that real or aginary
wrongs cannot be corrected by uDla wlul violence
The liberties of our country and the rights Oi our
citizens only be preserved by just regard for
legal obligations and an acquiescence in the de-
cision of judicial tribunals.


While believe il would have been n wise and
humane policy to bave procured judicial dec-
sion with regard to the cOnstitutionality OF the
conscription act. at an eary day and by II sum
mary process, yet the failure TO do this in no de-
gree iustibes any violent opposition to an act of
Congress. Until il is set aside by the decision of
judicial tribunals, il must be obeyed like any 9TH
er act of the State OF National Legislature


The following rule OF duty in this respect WAS
laid down in the farewell address OF Andrew
Jackson This view has always been accepted
BY The friends of our Union and the upholders OF
our Constitution:


"Unconstiiutionsl OF oppressive laws may no
doubt he passed by Congress, either from eFrOne
ous views or the want of due consideration. II
they are IN reach of Judicial authority. heiemeiy
is easy and peaceful. and ii FROM the character oi
the law it is an abuse of power not within the
control of the Judiciary. then Tree discussion and
calm appells TO reason and TO the justice OF the
p op will not fail to redress the wrong But
until tile law shall be declared void by the courts
or repealed by Congress. no individual, or. CON
bnstion OF individuals, can be justified in resist
ing its execution.


The antagonis,ic doctrine that men may right
fully resist laws opposed to their own ideas of
right OF duty, has not only led to great disorders
and violence but is OF the chief causes of the
destructive civil war which has wasted the blood
and treasure of our people. Disregard for the
sacreGneSs of the Constitution, for the majesty of
law, and Tor the decisions of the judiciary it is
at this time the greatest danger which threatens
American liberty This spirit OF disloyalty must
be put down IL is Inconsistent with social order
and social security. destructive % the safety OF
persons and property and subversive of the lib
erty OF the citizen and the freedom OF ibe nation
Iho-e who fear thar there are designs in any
quarter to overthrow the rights OF the citizen, or
To- obstruct the accustomed administration of our
laws or TO usurp any power in violation of consti7
tuliOnal restraints, should bear in mind that all
acts Of violence. all public disorders pave the
way for these very usurpations, and that they will
he regarded with satisfaction by those who for
for any cause may wish 10 destroy either the
power rights of our National or State Gov
eruments


The Constitution and statutes of the State and
nation contain ample remedies for all wrongs
which may be committed either by rulers or CHI
zens. and those who wish TO preserve their rights
or to punish offenders. whether in public or in
private life. should themselves carefully perform
their duty, abstain from all illegal acts; gener-
ou>ly support the Government. and then calmly
aud resolutely claim their rights. ! again re-
peat the warnings which gave you during the
riotous proceedings of the past month"; that 'the
! only opposition to the conscription which can be
allowed is appeal 70 the courts"


The right of every citizen to make such an
appeal will be maintained. and the decision of the
courts must be respected and obeyei by rulers
and people alike. No other course is consistent
with the maintenance of the laws the peace aud
ortcr of the city. and the safety of its inhabi-
tanis


'.Rotous proceedings must and shall be put
down. The laws of the State OF New York must
he enforced. its peace and order nantsined. and
the lives and property of all citizens PROTECTED at
any and every haI,rd. The rights of every rit-
zen will be properly guarded and defended by the
chief magistrate of the State"


hereby admonSh all Judicial and executive
officers. whose duty il is to eDfnrce the law and
preserve public order. that they take vigorous
aud effective measures to put down any rioious or
unlawful assemblages: aud if they find their
power insufficient for that purpose to call upon
the military in the manner pointed out BY fhe
statutes of the State.in order that the public
der may he preserved and the persons and prop
erty of the citizens be fully protected,


HoRArIo SEYMOUR