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Editorial
May 6, 1863
North Branch Democrat
Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
Editorial denounces W.H. Seward's statement on arbitrary arrest powers under Lincoln, comparing it to despotic rule worse than the Queen of England or Czar of Russia, warning of impending tyranny from abolitionist governance.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
ABSOLUTE DESPOTISM
The following is the language of W. H. Seward, Lincoln's Chief Cabinet officer, as found in the diplomatic correspondence, lately published between him and Lord Lyon's, the British minister:
"My Lord. I can touch a bell on my right hand and order the arrest of a citizen in Ohio I can touch the bell again and order the imprisonment of a citizen of New York ; and no power on earth but that of the President can release them. Can the Queen of England, in her dominions do as much ?"
Great God! what is to become of our boasted liberties! The President's chief counsellor boasting to the crowned heads of Europe that he can arrest and imprison a citizen of a sovereign State at his pleasure by the touch of his hand, and then tauntingly inquires can the Queen of England in her dominions do as much ? No, either the Queen of England, nor the Czar of Russia, nor any other despot on the face of God's green earth can exercise such arbitrary power without bringing his head to the block The man who makes such a boast is fit only for a buzzard's feast. A few more years of abolition rule and we can feast our eyes on a crown, imperial robes, guillotines and all the instruments of despotic power.
The following is the language of W. H. Seward, Lincoln's Chief Cabinet officer, as found in the diplomatic correspondence, lately published between him and Lord Lyon's, the British minister:
"My Lord. I can touch a bell on my right hand and order the arrest of a citizen in Ohio I can touch the bell again and order the imprisonment of a citizen of New York ; and no power on earth but that of the President can release them. Can the Queen of England, in her dominions do as much ?"
Great God! what is to become of our boasted liberties! The President's chief counsellor boasting to the crowned heads of Europe that he can arrest and imprison a citizen of a sovereign State at his pleasure by the touch of his hand, and then tauntingly inquires can the Queen of England in her dominions do as much ? No, either the Queen of England, nor the Czar of Russia, nor any other despot on the face of God's green earth can exercise such arbitrary power without bringing his head to the block The man who makes such a boast is fit only for a buzzard's feast. A few more years of abolition rule and we can feast our eyes on a crown, imperial robes, guillotines and all the instruments of despotic power.
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Absolute Despotism
Arbitrary Arrest
Civil Liberties
Seward Boast
Abolition Rule
Executive Power
What entities or persons were involved?
W. H. Seward
Lincoln
Lord Lyon
Queen Of England
Czar Of Russia
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Seward's Boast About Arbitrary Arrest Powers
Stance / Tone
Strongly Anti Administration Warning Of Despotism
Key Figures
W. H. Seward
Lincoln
Lord Lyon
Queen Of England
Czar Of Russia
Key Arguments
Seward Boasts He Can Arrest And Imprison Citizens Of Sovereign States By Touching A Bell, With Only The President Able To Release Them
Such Power Exceeds That Of The Queen Of England
No Despot Like The Czar Of Russia Can Exercise Such Arbitrary Power Without Consequence
The Man Who Boasts This Is Unfit
Abolition Rule Will Lead To Crowns, Imperial Robes, Guillotines, And Despotic Instruments