Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-08-29

lf79, the 4th section whereof is in these
words 81 any person or persons within
TINS State shall attempt to convey intelli-
gence to the enemies of this State, or the
United States OF America, or by publicity or
dett0erdtefy Speaking or wrstsng against our
pubic defence, or shall maliciously and ad
visedly endevor to excite the people to resist
The government of this Commonwealth, or
persude them to returnito dependence upon
the crown of Great Britain, or shall malic-
giously and advisedly teYrify or discourage
the people from enlistiag in the service OF
the Commonwealth. or shall stir up, excite
or raise tumults, disorders or instructions
in the States, or dispose them to favor the
enemy, or oppose and endeavorto prevent
the measures carrying on IN support of the
freedom and independence of the said Unit
ed States; every such person being thereof
legally convicted by the evidence Of two or
more credible witnesses, in any Court OF
General Quarter Sessions, shall be adjudged
guilty OF misprison of Treason, and shall
suffer Imprisonment during the present war,
and forfeit to the Commonwealth one half Of
his or her lands and tenements, goods and
chattles.7
This act having been passed for Tempo
rary purpose, expired by its own limitation
at the close of the war.
We noticed that several newspapers pub
/ lished in New York and elsewhere, which
have rendered themselves obnoxious to the
people because Of their alleged secession
proclivties, have been brought to the notice
of our proper courts, and we may therefore
expect before long, we shall be favored with
an opinion on this subject from the Circuit
Court of the Uulted States. And the news.
papers report that the press, type and fix
lures of printing Office in Philadelphia,
which was alleged to be advocating the right
Of secession was seized by the Mashall of
the Eastern District day or two ago
This looks as though the government had
determined to trihe no longer with those who
disregard its rights or bid defiance to its au-
thority We should rejoice at every indica-
ton of yigor and strength in our government
proceedings from a prudent exercise Of its
power in the suppression of the rebellion
aud of anything that affords it aid
We have hitherto been speaking Of class
Of offences which lie beyond our jurisdic
ton. Each State possesses the right, how
ever, to pass laws regulating the conduct Of
its own citizens. The Legislature of Penn
sylvana, at its last regular session, passed
an.act to which it is our duty to direct your
attention. The first section provides g that
if any person or persons belonging to or
residing within this State, and under the
protection of its laws, shall take commits
sion or commissions from any person, State
or States, or other the enemies of this State,
or of the United States of America, or shall
levy war against this State or Government
or knowingly or Willingly shall aid or assist
any enemies in open war against this State
or the United States; by joining their armies
or By eRlsting, or procuring, or persuadlng
others to enlistfor that purpose, or by fur
nishing such enemies with arms or amuni-
ton, or any other articles for their aid and
comfort, or by carrying on a tratorous cor
respondence with them, or shall form, or be
in'anywise concerned in forming any plot or
conspiracy or communications betraying this
State or the United States of America into
the hands or power of any foreign enemy,
or any organized or pretended government
engaged in resisting the laws of the United
States, or shall give or send any intelligence
to the enemies Of this>State or of the United
States Of America, or shall, with intent to
oppose. prevent or Subvert the government
vi lDiS Cldtc vi tue OHltCQ OldICS, rldSdfOi
TO persuade any person or persons from en-
terng the service Of this State or the United
States, Or from joining any. volunteer com
pany or association of this State about being
mustered into service, or shall use any
threats or persuasions or offer any bribe, or
hold out any hope of reward, with like intent
to induce any person or persons to abandon
said service, or withdraw from volunteer
company or association already organized
under the laws of this Commonwealth, for
that purpose every person so offending and
being legally convicted thereof, shall be
guilty Of a high misdemeanor, and shall be
sentenced to undergo solitary Imprisonment
in the peniteHtiary, at hard labor, for!a term
not exceeding ten years, and fined in sum
not exceeding five thousand dollars. or both,
at the discretion of the court: Provrded,
that this act shall net prohibit any citizen
from taking or receiving civil commissions
for the acknowledgment of deeds and other
instruments.o of writing
This law is free from obscurity and its
meaning and intention cannot be misunder-
stood. We have brought it TO your notice
so that if any of you know of any of the
offences therein mentioned having been COM
mtted within this eountv. the offender may
be dealt with as the law directs. If any Of
YOU know OF the commission of such offence,
1t will be your duty to make it known to
your fellows so that the matter may be duly
and formally presented to the court. tits
your duty to present all violations of this
act as well as all other known offences
against the criminal law, but we should be
careful thatn act thati done in this behalf
should spring merely from political preferen-
ees from any selfish, sinister or other unwor-
thy motive, but that every such discharge
of what is always an unpleasant duty, should
be solely in vindication of the honor aud
authority of the State and the Nation.