CHAPTER XII

ARBITRARY ARRESTS

Lincoln's first suspension of the writ of _habeas corpus_--Secretary Seward and John Hay give verbal instructions thereunder--Senate debate on arbitrary arrests--Wide differences of opinion as to legality thereof--Trumbull calls for information--Debate between Trumbull, Dixon, and Wilson--Was power to suspend the writ lodged in the executive or in the legislative department?--Chief Justice Taney held that the writ had not been lawfully suspended anywhere--Trumbull demands trial by jury, without delay, of civilians arrested in loyal states--Before Congress takes action the election of 1862 results in victory for Democrats--Republican leaders intimidated--Stanton discharges all civilian prisoners--Congress passes Trumbull's bill authorizing President to suspend writ, but requiring trial in civil courts and discharge of persons not indicted--Bill to indemnify the President for previous acts passed by both houses--Banishment of Vallandigham and suppression of the Chicago _Times_--Trumbull opposes the latter 190