Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-08-28
1upGEpEARsoH ON THE NATIONAL CRISIS,

In his charge to the grand jury on the open
ing of the Lebanon county Court this week,
Judge Pearson speaking on our present nation
al conflict. and the laws relating to the duties
of the citizens concerning the same, instruct
ed them in substance as follows
You are well aware, gentlemen, that the
government of the country is now engaged in
a great struggle with rebellion. very con-
siderable portion Of the States of this Union
have risen against the laws, endeavored to
throw off their allegiance, and are now in o.
pen arms, with a view of subverting and de-
stroying the Constitution and government of
the United States. This is no mere party con-
test, such as has frequently agitated our coun-
try, to be ultimately settled at the ballot box,
but a great struggle for national existance, to
be determined by force of arms alone. 1t is
scarcely necessary for me remind true and
loyal people, like those of Lebanon county, of
their duty as citizens in such contest, and
to say that they are bound by their allegiance
and interest not only to do no act and utter
no word or sentiment calculated to EN- barrass
the government in its action, but to render all
the assistance in their power to aid it in car
ryng on the war, SO unjustly forced upop it.
To levy war against the United States or ad-
here to the enemy in time of war, giving them
aid and comfort, is high treason, but this
crime can be tried only in the Federal courts.
Treason may also be comitted against the
State of Pennsylvania by the same acts or any
endeavor to subvert and overturn the govern
ment and over that offence you and we have
Jurisdiction. But the law to which particularly
wish to direct your attention as having more
practical bearing on the action of the people
in the present exigency, was passed at the last
session of the Legislature, and should be
known and understood by all, lest any might
fransgress unwittingly. The act Furnishes
with great severity the aiding or abetting the
enemy now at war with the United States, by
joining their armies or procuring any one so
to do, or furnishing them any article for their
aid and comfort, carrying on a correspon-
dence with them, or giving them any intelli-
gence, whatever. l was also prohibits under
like penalty every endeavor to dissuade persons
from entering the service of this State or OF
the United States or from joining any volun-
teer company or association, about being mus
tered into service; or being mustered into
service, to induce or endeavor TO persuade
them to abandon or withdraw from the same.
Every resident OF Pennsylvania who is pro-
tected by its laws, must abstain from utterng,
writing or printing anything with the view
and purpose or which may have the effect of
preventing others from entering the armies OF
the State or nation, or may induce others al
ready entered to desert their cOlors and aban-
don the service. We al. most highly prize
the liberty of speech and freedom of the press,
yet at time like this, when great calamities
may be impending over the nation, the rules
of morality, our allegiance and duty alike re-
qure that we shall abstain from doing any act
or uttering any word sentiment calculated
to show that our councils are divided, where
by the hand of the enemy is strengthened and
that of the government weakened, and such
act is we'll calculated to give aid and comfort
to the enemy and writing, printing or advis-
ed speaking before the people against the ac-
tion of the national government, directly tends
to induce those in the service to leave it, and
those about to enter to change their intentions.
Persons violating these PLAIN duties may read
lily bring themselves within the penalty of the
law; and if the Grand Jury, or any one of
them, know of this statute having been trans
crossed, it is your bounden duty to present
the transgressors, so that they may receive
punishment according to their demerits.