Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-05-09
3 elm ont Chruuitle.
United States Circuit Court.
Judge Leavitts Charge 10 the
Grand Jury.
TREASON DEFINED. sc.

Grand Jury.
TREASON DEFINED. Sc.
The April term Of tho United States Cir
cult Court for Ohio commenced at Cincin-
natl I'm tho S0th ult. The following Judge
Leavitt's charge to the Grand Jury, in full,
which will interest every one at this juno
ture:
As Grand Jurorslk the United States,
you have come together for the discharge OF
your duties at time Of unusual public in-
terest and excitement. Perhaps at no period
since tho formation of our National Govern
ment has the popular mind been more deep
" moved than at the present. This Is not
the place or the occasion to review the sue
ccssion of events by which the present
posture of our National affairs has been
brought about. 1t is enough now to say,
that since last December seven States OF this
Union have passed ordinances OF secession,
in virtue of which they claim that they are
RENTED 10 their original sovereignty, and
that the people are absolved from all their
allegiance 30 the National Government, as
organized under the Constitution of the
United States. Six Of these seeded States
have formed themselves into Confederacy,
under the name of the Confederate States
of America, claiming all the rights and pre-
rogatives Of separate and independent
Government And II is not unworthy of
remark in connection with the extraordinary
movements of these disaffected States that
they have been resorted to without one eff
fort on their part to call National Conveu-
tion, according to the terms of the Constitu-
ton of the United States for the adjust
ment Of difficulties between the North and
the South, in the fraternal spirit Of those
who have lived long under the same Gov
ernment, and who are bound together by
common interests Nor is there any just
ground for the assumption in regard to these
States, that the Government OF the Union
against which they war, has, in any essen
tisl matter violated the Constitution OF the
United States, or failed in any portion. Of
the Union to fulfil the purposes for which II
was ordained and established. A state OF
things did not, therefore, exist, when thii
movement began, by which it was justified
on the ground of the abstract right OF revo
luton. But without intending. to discus
these subjects, l proceed to, remark, tina
after repeated actso revolutionary violence
smilitary assault has been made under tn
direct authority of the Contederacy, on on
OF tQ6 tUTJS vi VIC ndbiuu, WuhC III iHhe
full occupancy Of the Government, and iron
the overpowering force brought against it, it
surrender became military necessity, an
tits now in the possession Of its assailants
To this outrage on our National rights,
may be added as fact, resting on the mos
reliable authority, that these States have TO
months past, been plotting, and even max
ing active military preparations tor tn
capture Of our National Capital, in tue exc
oution of their revolutionary designs. i
view Of these events, the President OF til
United States, as an imperative duty, an
in the exercise Of the authority conferred b
law, has adopted decisive measures to arres
movement, the object of which is no le,
than the subversion of the Government.
He has therefore officially announced tht
the States referred to are in armed resis
ance to and rebellion against the Cover
ment in such force, that they cannot
overcome by the exertion Of the ordinar
authority Of law, and he has made requis
tions Of the States which have kept aloe
from these revolutionary proceedings for
military force deemed sufficient to meet II
present alarming National exigcncy. In thi
il is apparent, the President has not procee'
ed in advance OF the feelings and opinion
Of tho people. To his appeal to the 10y
States, tho people have responded wit
spirit of selfsacrifcing and elevated n
triotism worthy Of tho best periods in Il
history Of our country. The exciting even
Of the past few days assure us, with star
ling emphasis, that in this sublime uprisil
OF the people, all partisan feelings have be,
laid aside-all antecedcnt grounds Of d
sension merged-in tho one all-absorbil
purpose Of defending and perpetuating q
Constitution and Government under whit
they have lived and prospered tho blessn
and benefits Of which they estimate as abo
all price.
II is in view Of tho presence Of actual W
in the country, that | have deemed it n
duty 10 present TO the Grand Jury such vio'
Of the law for the punishment Of treas
against the United States, az will ass
them in tho investigation Of any chargf
which may be brought to their notice, i
plicating any one in the commission Of th
high crimo. i do not propose TO discuss &
subject at any length, but shall aim TO pl
sent only some Of its more important leg
aspects. do this, not merely to aid 4
jury In their inquiries, but also that tr
and loyal citizens may not ignorantly al
unintentionally expose themselves to d
penalties Of the statute. .st.l
No one, who has ever read the Constit
ton OF the united states, can doubt tnnt
was tho intention Of its trainers to create
National Government, which should q
upon every citizen Of every State, and
which the allegiance Of every citizen W
due. This Constitution, aud the laws pass,
in pursuance thereof are declared to be b
Supreme law Of the nation. Against d
Government thus created, its founders 60
,templated that the crime Of treason mig
be committed In the third section ef A
ticle3 of the Constitution, this crime
defined In these words :. Treason, agair
the United States shall consist only in ley
Ing war against them, or in adhering to tn,
enemies, giving them aid and comfort. -
Then follows clause declaring, that "
person shall be convicted Of treason uni,
on the testimony Of two witnesses to
same overt act OF. on confession in OF
court y And express power,i Conferred
Congress 70 pass laws for the punishment
treason. In pursuance Of this power,
FIRST law on the subject, which isstill In 70
was approved the 30th Of April, 1900. I
Arst section Of this law provides, THAT
any person or persons, owing allegiance
che United States, shall levy war agai
them, or shall adhere TO thor enemies, !