Lincoln on Democracy

"SUSPEND THE WRITOF HABEAS CORPUS"

214 LINCOLN ON DEMOCRACY against the United States, he is to adopt the most prompt, and efficient means to counteract, even, if necessary, to the bombardment of their cities-and in the extremist necessity, the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Your Obedient Servant ABRAHAM LINCOLN. "SUSPEND THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS" Letter to General Winfield Scott [APRIL 27, 1861] Two days after instructing General Winfield Scott to do no more than watch and wait in Maryland, Lincoln suspended the privilege ofthe writ of habeas corpus there. The army proceeded to arrest prosecession Marylanders , including legislators suspected ofwillingness to vote the state out of the Union. Maryland did not secede. April 27, 1861 To the Commanding General of the Army of the United States: You are engaged in repressing an insurrection against the laws ofthe United States. If at any point on or in the vicinity of the military line, which is now used between the City of Philadelphia and the City of Washington, via Perryville, Annapolis City, and Annapolis Junction, you find resistance which renders it necessary to suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus for the public safety, you, personally or through the officer in command at the point where the resistance occurs, are authorized to suspend that writ. ABRAHAM LINCOLN ...