The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death. By Henry J. Raymond. To which are added anecdotes and personal reminiscences of President Lincoln, by Frank B. Carpenter.

STATE PAPERS OF ABRAIHAM LINCOLN.

361

At the very outset of the session, resolutions wen1 introduced by the opponents of the Administration, cenlsuring, in strong terms, its arrest of individuals in the l oyal
States, suspected of giving, or intending to give, aid and
comfort to the rebellion. These arrests were dlenounced
as utterly unwarranted by the Constitution and laws of
the United Stat(es, and as involving the subv.ersion of the
public liberties. In the Senate, the general slubject was
discussed in a debate, comlmencinlg on tlle 8tll of DTecelber, the opponents of the Administration settilln forth
very fully and very strongly their opinion of tll unjustifiable nature of this action, and its friends vindicalting it,
as made absolutely necessary by the ellergencies of tllh
case. Every department of the Government, and every
section of the country, were filled at the outset of tlhe war
with men actively engaged in doing tlle work of spies
and informers for the rebel authorities; and it was known
that, in repeated instancles, the plans and purposes of tihe
Government had been betrayed and defeated by theseaiders and abettors of treason. It became absolutely
necessary, not for purposes of punishment, but of prevention, to arrest these men in the injurious and perhaps
fatal action they were preparing to take; and on tlis
ground the action of the Gover'nmenlt was vindicated and
justified by the Senate. On the 8th of December, in the
House of Representatives, a bill was introduced, declaring
the suspension of the writ of habeas corJnitl. to 1lhave been
required by the public safety; confirming and declaring
valid all arrests and imprisonments, by whomsoever
made or caused to be made, under tlhe authority of the
President and indemnifying tlhe President, secretaries,
heads of departments, and all persons who have, been
concerned in making such arrests, or in doing or advising
any such acts, and making void all prosecutions and proceedings whatever against them in relation to the matters
in question. It also authorized the President, during thel
existence of the war, to declare the suspension of the writ
of habeas corpus, "at such times, and in such places,
and with regard to such persons, as in his judgrment the