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