Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-09-18

We have no sympathy with traitors, but We have
no desire to put unnecessary trammes on the free.
dom Of speech. To avoid Scylla we would not rush
into Charlbdis. 1.-The Constitution and the Lawsn
we hold to as the sheet anchor of liberty, and the
security OF all our social cnjoyments they can in
no case De set aside without extreme danger to ind
vidual rights. The freedom of the press and the
liberty of speech may be abused. and frequently
are; but they are important weapons in resistance
to tyranny and restraining corruption in high places
1t this right OF free speech is to be curtaled in any
degree let it be done strictly in conformity to law
The definition of treason has not been left for the
action of the State Legislatures The provision in
the Constitution of the old United States in this
regard has been adopted unatered into the Constitu-
ton of the Confederate States which declares that
"Treason against the Confederate States shall con-
sist only in levying against them, or in adher
ing to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort"
and "No person shall be convicted of treason unless
on the testimony of two witnesses to the same orert
act, or on confession in open Court" An ordinance
passed by our State Convention at its late session
made the same provision part Of the Constitution
of this State
This matter is therefore not left to the discretion
Of the State Legislature 1t is fixed statute, as it
should be. 1t is a matter of too much importance,
of too delicate nature, to be acted on lightly
Legislatures composed of allible men, and if act
ing under excitement as is sometimes the case, or
hastily under suspension of the rule" as was
the case in the extra session of our Legislature in
May, very injudicious laws might be passed on the
subject.
But if danger may be apprehended from the hasty
action Of the Legislature Of State, how much more
danger may be apprehended if summary punish
ment is to be administered without any of the forms
Of law, without judge or jury, by excited popu-
lace guided by no law except the binding madness
of the moment Evils are only multiplied, never
remedied, by these irregular proceedings. There is
safety only in due reverence for the law and it
| should be honored as we'll in the manner in which
it is administered as in proper subsection to it.
Our cherished motto has long been 1.-The Union
the Constitution and the Laws" The Union as it
was-the boast and the hope of our country, and
the source Of its prosperity-has been broken up
by the usurpations Of Lincoln and the encroach.
ments of the Republican faction. If the Consitu-
ton and the Laws are to be set aside and the pre-.
JUDGES and passions of men be suffered to rule the
hour what shall we have left valuable Of all that
our fathers toed and bled for Are we approach.
ing this are We to follow the evil example of the
Lincoln faction, and shut up in prisons, or immediate
scaolds, all who utter sentime hts not in accord
ance with the prevailing popular opinion? A reign
of terror BASED on principles such as these once
deluged France in blood we hope the beginnings Of
such things will never disgrace our fair and-Hills
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