The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-11-27

The Latest Form of Treason.

Treason against the government is a
crime defined and punishable by the laws.
In this country there is no such thing as
constructive treason--the overact Is neces-
sary to complete the offence. Men are not
legally punishable Tor treason upon mere
suspicion When Jeffries was Chief JUS
tice of England, women were subjected TO
the mockery OF trial and barbarously execu-
led for such constructive treason as giving a
morsel OF food and cup OF water TO the
painting fugiiives from the field where Mon
mouths rebellion was crushed. Judicial
murders like these seem 10 have impressed
our ancestor with horror at the idea Of puu~
iahing constructive treason. Nothing short
OF the actual taking up of arms against ;hs
government was acknowledge as consiitn-
ting the crime-and SO large has heeu The
measure OF our liberty. SO small the occa-
sions for dissatisfaction, and 50 great aud
.nagnaninous our Government That offences
az ainsi its we'll being have been 80 rare az
to constitute a precedent in our history,
But the goyernmeul is now assalied by
| a monster rebeAion-aud since It's COM
mencement we have the widest and most
absurd theories advanced on the subject of
| treason.
| Il would not be difficult matter 10 con
( vict every man IN the North Of treason upon
newspaper testimony if these theories
| had been put inlo practice our whole time
would have been employed, since the war
broke out, in hanging one another for con
strucuys treason. 1t was treason at one
time TO sugges, doub,s OF the inialljodily o!
| the admiuistTation, reason 10 object 10 any
Of It's acts, treason 10 appeal 10 the consil.
tClion and the laws, and treason TO belong 10
the Democratic parry, Then II was treason
10 say that W Washinglon was in danger, urea
500 10 deny that It was IN danger, treason 10
say that the rebels would fight, and treason
not to believe that they would rsn at the
first ire. Our Generals were suspected Oi
treason because they delayed advancing up-
on the entertainments of the enemy, when
the motto OF all loyal men was "On 10 Rich
mond!" After they did advance, IN con-
pliance with the arrogant demands of polit
ical Generals.and our army sustained dis
as,rous deieat, treason assumed new form
The hurry to meet the enemy furnished ey
idence Of incapacily approaching disloyait!
somebody was guilty ofIrsason, aud Ough
10 be hung BY way OF example. Som,
journals OF dnsuspectej loyatg-that is sounl
~ epublican-whispered that the Presi
dent ought 10 be supeTseded-ihere was
something rotten at headquarters. As ic
the necessity Of hanging the whole Demo
cratic party as acc essories TO the Southern
rebellion, that seemed TO DO almost requi
site to self preservation. 1t was treason a
all events TO keep up the Democratic organ
izaiion-and patriotic TO mob Democratic
/ newspapers. Gagging and mobbing was Il
do the work where fighting failed 1t va
treason for Toucey and Seymour to be qui
{ et in Connecticut, and treason for Mir. Blu
chauan to speak in Pennsylvania. To be
Democrat was to be a Secessionist aud trai
, tor. The PenLsy lvania election cams on
the Democrats carried the day-and The lrea
{ son hunters found themselves in the ugl
and totally unanticipaIed position OF bein
{ out voted by toe men they had called ttai
tors and Sscsssionlsts. Since then We hea
less noise about the traitors in our midst
Patriot and Union.