M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1861-05-16

Nv" pS S'nuiilIeu, tneIe 10
probability that persons may be gull.
ty.of the lesser offense. The duty sf
giving immediate information Of "a
reasonable act is enjoined not only
by the letter Of the statute, bat iscIear.
ly deducible from the high obligations
Of patriotism resting upsn every citi.
zen. And he that refuses to perform
this duty may he justly suspected >of
reasonable designs. Ii 10 obvious to
remark that failure in this respect
may lead to the most disastrous re.
suits.
lam not informed to what extent
the present Grand Jury will be called
upon to investigate charges involving
either OF the crimes to whicl. l have
referred. | learn, however, that there
will be at least one case, not ilnplica.
ting any citizen Of our own State,
which may be brought to their nOtice.
OF the facts Of this case | am not ad.
vised, and can not therefore give the
law in charge, with special reference
tO them. 1t is probable that in any
state OF facts which may bs proved,
the law, rs / have attempted to ex-
pound it, will be sufficient to guide
you in your action. ALLOW me to
suggest that your proceedings as
Grand Jurors should be marked with
great caimness and deliberation, and
wholly aloof from the influence of
prejudice or passion. Treason is the
highest crime known to the laws OF
our country, and no one should be i'm
plicated in its guilt, even by the find.
ing Of a Grand Jury, without evi'
dence justifying tine conclusion at least
ofa strong probability that the charge
is we'll founded, and with the reason
able expectation that it will be sus.
tained on trial BY traverse jury.
In such a case, in accordance with
the law and the solemn oath you have
just taken, it will be your duty to act
with fearlessness and independence
whatever may follow.
In conclusion, permit me to remind
you that the duties Of q Grand Jury,
always grave and responsible, are Pc
culiarly so at the present time. Ev-
cry citizen has u duty to perform, and
tho country expects that every man
will perform it with perfect fidelity
But In whatever position any one may
be placed, civil or military, lot me en-
join moderation, calmness and digni
ty Of conduct. Let us not forget thai
while loyalty to our country is de-
manded, we must not ignore our allie
glance to God. War, in any Of itl
aspects, and under any circumstances
is a great calamity; but let it be the
object OF all, as far as practicable, t
soften its asperities and mitigate it,
horrorp by a faithful observance of tht
benign teachings Of our holy religion
He only, who knows the end from the
beginning can say, with certainty
when or how the struggle shall result
We lave good grounds for indulginl
the hope that the issue will be favora
bic to the cause which we 80 aadently
espouse. But it may be that the firm
ness, courage and patriotism of oul
people will be put to severe trial.
lfso, let us neither despond nor des
pair. The spirit Of our people il
equal to any emergency that may
arise. The fires Of our Revolutionary
times seem already to be rekindled
and are blazing forth in acts Of patri
otic devotion, that give sure augury
of final success. Baptized with Sucl
spirit, who can doubt that the peo
pie will stand by the flag of the Un
ion, and CALAMITY defend the nobl,
heritage Of which it is the symbol
through all storms and perils of tn,
impending struggled
But, while we are strong in the una
nimity and patriotic spirit of our peo
pie, and indulge no fears as to the d
nal issue, let us still hope-yes, let u
fervently pray-that the terrible con
flict may yet be avoided. Surely, a
patriots and Christians, we may stil
implore the God of Nations to inter
pose His mighty arm to stay tn
bloody tide Of civil war.
As a last word, let me remind 20
that ia all the dissatisfied States ther
are many who are true to the Govern
ment, and have long and bravely bal
tied for the Union. May not carr
estly invoke in thier behalf the war;
sympathy and fraternal regard of m
fellow citizensl Some OF these, as W
we'll know, are among the mobiles
patriots Of the land, and have stood u
in defense Of the national flag whe
fainter hearts would have cowere
before the storm. Let us, let postrri
ty award to those men the need {
honor which is their just due. An
If it be so, that some true lovers Of th
Union have been placed by the fore