M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1861-05-16
United State CirCnit COurt--Judge
Leavitt's Charge 20 Ihe Grand
JuTy-TreasOa Defined, &c.

Judge Leayltt delivered the iolloW-
ing address, April 80, 61.YHo sI.a
As Grand Jurors OF the United
States, you have come together for the
discharge Of your duties at time Of
unusual public interest and excitemen.
Perhaps at no period since the forma.
ton OF our National Government has
the popular mind been more deeply
moved than the. present. This is not
the place,or the occasion to review the
succession Of events by which the pres
ent 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 pass
ed ordinances of secession. IN virtue
Of which they claim that they are re-
mitted to their original sovereignty,
and that the people are absolved from
all allegiance to the National Govern
hent, as organized under the Consti-
tuition of the United States. Six Of
those secededStatos have tormedthem-
selves into Copfederacy, under the
name of the Confederate States Of
America, claiming all the rights and
prerogatiVes pf separate and inde-
pendent government. And it is not
unworthy of remark in connection
with the extraordinary movements OF
these disafected States, that they have
been resorted to- without one effort on
their part to call Convention, accor-
ding to the terms Of the Constitution
ofthe United States for the adjustment
of difficulties between the North and
the South, in the traternal spirit Of
those who have lived long under the
same Government, and who are bound
together by common interests. Nor
is there any just ground for the as
sumption in regard to those States,
that the Government OF the Union
against which they war, has in any
essential matter violated the Consti-
tuition OF the United States, or failed
in any part OF the Union to fulfill the
purpose for which it was ordained and
established. A state OF things did
not therefore exist, when this move
ment began, by which it was justified
on the ground Of abstract right of rev
olutiVn. But without intending to
discuss those subjects, | proceed to re-
mark, that after repeated acts Of revo-
lutionary violence, military assault
has been made under the direct au.
thority Of the Conlederacy on one of
the forts OF the nation, while in the
rightlIl occupancy of the Government
aud, from the overpowering force
brought against it, its surrender be.
came military necessity, and it is
now in the hands of its assailants. To
this outrage on our national rights, it
may be added as a fact, resting on the
most reliable authority, that these
States have Tor months past been plot
ting, and even making active military
preparations for the capture of our
National Capital, in the execution Of
their revolutionary designs. % 10 view
of these events, the President Of the
United States, as an imperitive duty,
and in the exercise Of the authority
conferred by law, has adopted deci.
sive measures to arrest a movement,
the object OF (which is no less than the
subvertion of the Government. He
has therefore officially announced that
the States referred to are in armed
resistance to and rebellion against the
Government, in such force, that they
can not be overcome by the exertion
OF the ordinary authority Of law, and
he has therefore made acquisitions Of
the States which have kept aloof from
these revolutionary proceedings, for
military force deemed sufficient to
meet the present alarming National
exigency. In this, it is apparent, the
President has not proceeded in ad.
vance of the feelings and opinions of
the people. To this appeal to the
loyal States, the people have respond,
ed with spirit Of selfsacrfcing and
elevated patriotism worthy OF the best
periods id the history OF our country.
The exciting events Of tue past few
days assure us, with startling empha,
sis, that actual war is upon US. And
it gladdens the heart of every patriot
to know, that in this sublime uprising
of the people, all partisan feelings
have been laid aside-all antecedent
grounds of dissension merged-in the
one all-absorbing purpose of defend.
ing and perpemating the Constitution
and Government under which they
have lived and prospered; the bless,
ings and benefits Of which they esti-
mate as above all price. 90 a. ashr ssa'
1t is in view of the presence Of act
ual war in the country thatI have
deemed it my duty to present to the
Grand Jury such views Of the law for
the punishment of treason against the
| United States. as will assist them in