The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-31
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
MONDAY NIGHT, MAY 81, Is47.


Treason Of federalism.
The constitution of the United States declares that
treason against them shall consist sin levying war
against" them adherngfo their enemies giving them
aid and comfort"
This is the legal definition of treason and any person
owing allegiance to the United States, who shall have
committed the acts particularly specified in the clause of
the constitution above cited, would be guilty OF treason.
and thus expose himself the penalty of death And, if
he should commit those acts while his country
gagged in war with foreign nation--f he should take
up arms in behalf Of the nation people at war with his
own country, or in any manner "adere 10 the cause OF
the latter, "giuing them aid and comfort he would be
guilty OF treason and justly incur lis terrible penalty,
whatever might be his opinion of the justice injustice
OF the war; so far his own country concerned.
Ii in his conscience he believed his country was
the wrong and should commit those acts, he would be
guilty of treason. II his country fact in the
wrong, and he should be guilty OF the acts defined in the
constitution acts OF treason he would still be traitor,
and would expose himself TO the penalty OF death In
either case he could plead the convictions of has
science, the conclusions of his reason
tenuation of the crime
These the attributes and consequences of the legal
crime
But there is another description of treason. II is
"morai treason" 1t consists in taking sides against
ones country and in favor of its enemies, sadie
ring to" their cause and rendering 'them aid and
fort" in every way and FORM except committing the
OVERT ACT. That act may be in taking up arms in
favor of country's enemies or, abandoning our
country and joining its enemies; or, feeding and cloth
ing them, and furnishing them with and munitions
of war; These are among the ouert which constitute
tha 1ol rhi no ts
them the punishment of death which, under laws,
is the penalty OF treason.
But moral treason has also its acts which are Just
as effective to nure the country OF the perpetrators OF
them, and to benefit and aid its enemies, and much
constituting the of treason, taking up
against the country openly adhering to its enemies,
giving them aid and comfort" Those are, msrepre
sentng countys cause, and denouncing its justice
espousing and indicating the cause OF our enemy en-
couraging the latter to persist in the and to refuse
all terms OF accommodation; inviting foreign interference
in the quarrel; endeavoring TO disgrace the branch
of the government which is ntrusted with carry
ing on the war, and 10 bring it into disrepue both
at home and abroad attempting TO deprive it OF the
means of waging the successfully, by msrepresent
ing and mpang its credit endeavorng to prevent the
enlistment of troops by deamng the Of the war;
magnyng the dangers of the service and by all kindred
means these of the overt acts Of "mordi tya
son." They just efficient TO injnre the cause OF our
own country, and to aid the enemy, if those who
guilty of them had taken up in behalf of that
my. They may be more injurious, nasmuch they may
lead TO the paralysis Of the government, and its ultimate
defeat and disgrace Yet while they efficient to in
jare, they are infinitely more cowardly The who
boldly takes up arms joins the enemy, and fights against
his own country. is at least brave He takes his
life in his hand and exposes himself the traitors fate
and, while we detest his treason, respect his
The moral traitor baser and detestable male
factor He, with more sinister intent, because more
pemedated, perpetraes great injury against his
conntry-perhaps greater-by his wicked and mali
cious defamation of his counry's cause; by deiaming
and magnng the agents selected by his country TO pre-.
vide the means and adopt the for carrying on
the war; by misrepresenng and defeating the plans OF
the government; and by encouraging the enemy; while
he meanly shrks from justice and escapes the penalty oil
his crime, by evadng the technical form Of the act which
constitutes the legal offence. @f
Nor his conscientious scrupes or the convictions
of his reason any the moral than the legal
traitor Whatever opinion the former may have Of the
justice of his countrys cause, in moral point OF
and aid The enemy, without committing the crime and
mourning the penalty of moral treason--whch is public
condemnation, degradation, and disgrace. In This con
cusion, we believe every upright and honest mind will
concur
Tested by this principle, in what light will the leaders
and presses OF the federal party stand before the world in
the course they pursuing in reference tohe Mexican
war; Are they not denouncing the war as unjust and
Infamous the part of their own country Are they
not constantly representing their country as the
wanton and ruthless aggessor and Mexico as the weak
and unohending sufferer Are they not constantly de-
flaming and vilifying the President and his cabinet, who
are charged with the duty of carrying on the war
Are they not encouraging Mexico to persist in her hos
tlty in order that their government may be defeat
ed and dsgraced' Have they not attempted to depre
cate the credit of the government in order to prevent ii
from obtaining loans' Have they not discouraged the
enlistment of troops Have they not represented the
administration with being hostile to the generals in CON-
mand to such extent rs to conspre their de-
feat and destrucon' Have they not resorted to every
iisgraceu expedient TO misfortune and defeat to
overake arms' Are they not daily heaping the most
atrocous calumnes upon the President and his Secre
ares, in reference the of the and the man
ner of conducting III Are they not constantly magnng
The administration with the accusation of weakness and
in full view of the most energetic and
efficient preparations, and the most unparalleled sue