Year: 1863

On Saturday evening week, very large
meeting was held at Albany, the capitol of the
State OF New York, TO denonnce the arbitrary
arrest of Mr. Vallandigham.-The resolutions
adopted point to the devotion shown by the
Democrats during two years Of civil war, and
express determination to devote their ener-
gies to the cause OF the Union denounce the
assumption of military power in the arrest Of
MIR. Vallandigham assert the right OF free
discussion. They say that in the election OF
Mr.. Seymour the people condemned the system
of arbitrary arrests, and call upon the tresi-
They direct copy of the resolutions to be sent
to the President, with the assurance OF the de-
sire of the meeting to support the government
in every constitutional and lawful measure to
suppress the rebellion.


Gov. Seymour was invited to be ono of the
speakers at the meetng but could not attend,
and therefore sent the following manly letter:


EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, May Is.


I cannot attend the meeting at tho Capitol
this evening, but wish to state my opinion in
regard to the arrest of Mr.. Vallandigbam. 1t
is an act which has brought dishonor upon our
country 1t is full Of danger to our persons
and our homes. 1t bears upon its front con-
scious violation Of law and justice. Acting up
on the evidence of detailed informers, shrinking
from the light Of day, in the darkness of night,
armed men violated the house OF an American
citizen and furtively bore him away to militia.
ry trial, conducted without those safeguards
known to the proceedings of our judicial tribu.
nails The transaction involved a series of Of
fenses against our most sacred rights. II inter-
fered with the freedom of speech; it roolested
our rights to be secure in our homes against un-
reasonable searches and seizures; it pronounced
sentence without trial, save one which was
mockery, which iusulted as well as wronged.
The perpetrators now seek to impose punish
meut, not for an oHense against law, but for
the disregard Of the principles Of civil liberty.
If this proceedingis approved by the govern
ment, and sustained by the people, it Is not
merely step toward revolution--it is revolu-
ton; it will not only lead Ito military despotism
it establishes military despotism. In this as
pect it must be accepted, or in this aspect re.
jectcd Ii it is upheld, our liberties are over.
thrown, the safety of our property, will here.
after depend upon the arbitrary will of such
military rulers as may be placed over us, while
constitutional guarantees will be broken down.


Even now the Governors and courts of some
of the great Western States have sunk into in
significance before the despotic powers claimed
and exercised by military men who have been
sent into their borders 1t is fearful thing To
increase the danger which now overhangs us
by treating the law, the judiciary, and the State
authorities with contempt. The people OF this
country now wait the deepest anxiety the de-
cisions of the administration upon these acts.
Having given it generous support in the con-
duct of the war, we pause to see what kind OF
government it is for which we are asked TO pour
out our blood and our treasure. The action
of the administration will determine IN the
minds of moro than one half of the people OF
the loyal States whether this war is waged to
put down rebellion at the South or destroy free
institutions at the North We look for Its de-
cision with the most solemn solicitude.


tSignedl HoRATo SEYMOUR.


The people of the whole Union viii thank
Gov Seymour for this noble stand in behalf OF
civil liberty. They will rejoice to witness in
bis utterances on so grave a question, the evil
dences that our institutions have, in him, an ell
oquent and able advocate. We trust and pray