, 1861-06-21

promptly met and disposed OF by the adoption.
OF some efficient measures for the suppression
or punishment Of every reasonable OF dlsloJal
sentiment, uttered by whomsoe7er it may be.
At the present time, however, times are lit
tie different. There has been no very consid-
erahle 1ghting-no general battle-no consid
ezab1e loss Of life, while some, aud perhaps in
certain localities there are many who still en-
terrain the notion that GONE arrangement of
come k1nd--they know not what, viii yet be
made, which will arrest all hostinties, aud re-
suit III 1econstruction Of the government up
on aome basis mutually agreeable to both par
ties. The existence Of this state of things
this state Of seeming doubt and uncertainty
as to the settled and inevitable course Of
things, seem to give some men sort Of
licensed mode aud style Of expresaion- free
dom Of opinion and ntterance, connected with
many other unmistakable manifestations Of
p1epondezance Of feeling in faVor Of rebels
and their work OF rebellion. Now, ne repeat
the question Of very great interest to hun
dreds, and one We would like much to have
answered, is, how far such persons can 60 and
yet be held guiltlees Of the grave and serious
charge Of treason2
:, It may be regarded IS both dialcult and
dellcste task to discriminate between liberty
and icentiousness Of both the press and
speech; and while would not undertake the
task, still 1t strikes me IS requiring no mar
vellous amount Of wisdom to decide Ehat
man may go abuse the privilege Of free speech
ard the freedom Of the press 90 to expose
him to the pains and penalties Of violated Law.
Because one government tole1ates freedom CT
speech and Of the press to an extent much
greater than any other government In the
world, 1t does not follow that man may
either speak OF publish tha. which will work
the forfeit Of either public OF private rights
The "South" has arrayed itself in deadly
hostility and opposition not only to the rights
and interests OF the General Government, but
10 the very being and existence Of the Same
seeking by armed force to overthrow and de-
very nationality, as well also as to destroy al
those p,iruse rights and interests of individu-
ais that are ineeparably identified with and
made dependent upon the continued existence,
and maintenance Of this government
Now, without attempting to enlarge upon
the question at any length, simply Ask what
constitutes the crime q treasons Can q man
be guilty Of treason without the commission
of come overt acts Is there any such thing
as talking OF tcTiting treason? Our statutes
define tr1ason t'beiug 2dherent to the enemies
OF the State, giving them advice and com :ort."
No one We presume can doubt that man
Our Government, by seizing all the telegraph
ic communications In many Of the public OIL.
ces throughout the country, has by means Of
a71tttn communications, put itself, a5 we under
stand, In possession Of the fullest proof Of the
charge of treason against our late Minister to
Portugal, Mr.. Harvey. In this regard, then,
VIC think it is very certain than an individual
may give very important " aid, adotce and COM
5ort" to the enemy, and thereby be guilty of
treaeon-
The question recurrcan a man talk trea-
sion Of opinion, involve himself in the guilt
Of treason to an extent that would expose
him to the fn1Iction Of the penalty which the
law af1xcs to that high crime This to my
mind Is grave and serious question, particu-
larly at the present tina when the great ncd
Separating citizens of tho same State, town
and netghboEhood, and even dividing families
| themselves.
The above reflections have been mainly sug-
| gested BY frequent remarks made In my hear
| ing late)y-"that o man was ut perfect liberty
| to enjoy and express his own opinions upon
| all subjects of whateyer character-thAt no
| Law Of the land con be made to interfere with
| or In any manner arrest or prohibit such an
| e1p1ek sion Of opinion as any man may see 1T
to make" Is this sos Is there no such thing
Is atfo1dng g aid, adetee Or comfort to the enc:
Wigfall, q. 8. Senator from Texs, declared
lsst winter, upon the floor Of the q. s. Senate,
that he ''owed no allegiance to the Govern.
mint Of the United Stales,' - be was denounced
| all over the country IS vile traitor, and JAS.
Buchanan was charged with coWarafce By
many, and BY others with completely with
| Wigfall In his treason, for not arresting him
on the spot and hanging him as high as Haa
| man. DID Wigf.u commit trcasons Cau
there be any reasonable doubt OF It? We're
not the enemies of our country very greatly
"comfort=d:" DID it not constitute Impof.
tsnt laid" to them while scheuing to over.
throw the Government, to learn, by sucn
speeches, that they had such important "atd'
syen IN the high place Of the United States
/ am fully aware that q loud hue aud crs
| Wor]d Instantly be raised against any attempt
either directly or indirectly to suppress thf
ssSSIrefaion ct wh9. tight be termed treasona
bic sentiments. It would be denounced as Al
attempt to interfere with freedom Of speech
asd many hand would be raised In holy hor
ror, aid many tongue would utter lold .n6
lorg curses. I would be glad to have this
question discussed with freedom by our pub
lie Journals. I am not satisfied my7e1f how
far men may be allowed to go In this direction
to what extent they may, with impnnIty pro
claim upon the corners Of the straet their sym
path1es with the rebellion In the land, ami
their evident delight and satisfaction ut ever,
triumph Of arms, however small, upon th1
part Of the enemies Of our country, mlstak'
much the signs Of the times-thc clear AMI
magnificent Indications which are sprinein!
up all around us, if the day Is no. near ct Iaat
when all men will he required to take thei
Etard among either the friends or the e1emie
Of their country. No half way men or IN "a:
u1es to be tolerated. VsDE1.
REAARKs,
We cannot entirely agree with onr -cnrres
pondent as 10 what constitutes tresson. Whe1