Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-06-29

ninn. and those who stigml,ize tho oppo-
nenis of the Polk war with bains traitors,
&c. We copy it from the Baltimore Clip
por, neutral paper.-t Ed. Pal.
s.Noral rreason''-Liberty of the Press.
Every one recollects the cutlery raised by the
Union, about the expulsion Of the senior editor
from the floor of the Senate; AMI TIE many ap-
peals male TO the people against that act, as an
attempt TO abriige the liberty of the press. 1t
may appear strange. that one who ssnsi-
tive aboat preserving the freedom of the press
when il was no, assailel, an! when. in fact.
thing more than personal convenience in
vovel, soult now b. founi enieavorng TO en-
force code of "inoral treason" upon the comu-
nifty, which would eiFectu.y seal the press AMI
close the moatas of all who differed with the al
ministrition as TO tn. jus,ic, of tn, war with
Mexico, OF ths manner n which it should bs
prosecuted 50 as to pro iuc, peacs. In defining
what acts constitute "norAi treason" thu Uni
on of Monday night says:
CHOSE acts are, misrepres nting our countrys
cause, AMI denouncing its Justice; espoasing ana
5 vIndicatIng the cause of our eneny; encourag-
ing the latter 10 persist IN the war, AMI TO re-
fuse all terms of accommo ation; inviting foreign
interference III the quarrel; endeavoring to DIS
grace the branch of government which is ent rus
tel with CARRYING on the war. an to bring il ia
TO dIsreput- both al homo an / abro iii attempt
ing to de prive it ofth, means of wAging the war
successfully, by misrepressnting aui impiIring
its croiit en- ieavorlng to prevent the enlistment
CT troops, by deftnng tho cause of the war.
m ,gnifvng tbs dangers of tn, service, ana by
ali kin iere! M ans;-these some of the overt
acts of .'m,raL treason "
We thought IN, tho sentiments OF Jefferson,
that "error OF opinion may be tolerated. where
reason is left free to combat it," had been incor-
porated into the political code of the editor Of the
Union-but he now regulates the tolerant prin-
cpe of the great head CT the democratic party,
and stigma,izes AMI proscrihes as traitors. those
who dare to exercise free ION of opinion and
that, too, under constitution which expressly
guarantees the liberty Of speech AMI Of the press
Under his Co de of ''moral treason" men
who honestly believe that war with Mexico
was improperly Produced that it should be
closed, # possible, without bloodshed, must not
presume to express their opinions, lest they ia
the di,g of being held up to their coun-
try. triitorously aIhering TO the enemy. I'M
der the seition law, it was held to be criminal
TO speak disr.s ectfly Of the chief magistrate
bat that law olous to the people, and so
repugunnt to their notions Of liberty, that i,
was speedily repealed, and fines imposed in con-
formity with its provisions were subsequently re-
l:li;ted by act of cangress Thu general foi ling
of hostility to that law, would, we supposed
, have prevented any efort to renew it in form o.
Substance: AMI yet, fin mentioned anon.
, the acts enumerated by the union, Is constitut
, ing 'morsi treason" "enieavoringto disgrace
the branch of the govern ment which is entrusted
with CARRYING on tbs war - ''The moral traitor, Z
says the Union "is baser ami more detestab!.
malefactor th an the leg ii traitor; ami the pun.
ishment of the moral traitor is sal to be- ICON
; demnston, degra iation AMI disgrace" Blu, the
Union has omitted one important matter, viz
the tribunal, by which the code Of "mora
treason" is to be administered. Shall it be CON
posed of the public at large, few individu
ais, selected by the editor Of the Union, or The
, President If the former, ma ority of the cour
would probably be disposed to set aside the cod,
altogether, as unconstitutional and anti-re publ
,
Let us take up one of the principles advance;
by the Union, and make justflbie application
It is contained in the following paragraph:
"Nor his console ntous scrupIes or the
convictions of his reason, excuse tn
moral than the l~y1l traitor. Whatever opinor
: the former may have of the Justice of his coun
trys cause, in moral point of view. he do NJ
act ,ctiet oil injurs Tint antai The enemy
: without committing the CRIME AMI incurring tbs
penalty Of moral treason-vhich is public con
dennatIon, degradation, AMI disgrace. In thi'
conclusion. we believe every upright AMI houes
: mind will concur"
: 1t thus appears, that, however pure and con
;, scientious the motive.which prompts an act If il
result in in uring this country and in aiding the
enemy. it is moral treason, for which the perpe
traitor should incur "publc con lem nation, agra
: dation and disgrace" And now for the appli
: cation. The President, unier the impression
= and probably the assurance, that Santa Ann
was more fivorably disposed than Paroles I.
: make peace, gave permission to himself an
. suite to pass into Mexico. The act was no doub
: done from pure ani conscientious motives, but
). iHasnach as the entrance of Santa Anna int,
Mexico, did in ure t,e Of the United State
and greatly dill thu enemy, the President is
to be held guiItIess. but must suF.r the inictiol
$ of the prescribed penalty.
i But let US take ano;iI.r view Of tn. sub ;ect-
g The Cnion IS llb,rolsly engaged in the etf1r
to prove. that large uortioas Of the population
the union sn,ri! traito-s," tn At they are enc
mics to their govern snt. AM fren IS 70 tn
- enemy. Now what could aTori greater en- ,ac-
i ag-men.. 70 N.xico TO refuse peace a1I persever
IS in tbs war, than the Conviction that tbs state
i rleats OF tho Union wers tue? II satisfied III
= she is containing az ,nst people, ons half c
. whom wish her success. she will derive FROM tn
l. fact great al AMI co1fort.' AMI that fact is