Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-28
onR NORTHERN CoNsPIRATORs.

DIR NORTHERN CONSP1kAIOhS'
We are reminded by certain reasonable
newspapers in the loyal states that our insttu'
t;ops guarantee freedom of speech They
noint TO the federal constitution and show that
congress is forbidden TO make any law
.sabridging the freedom OF speech or the
nresr :" and, having done this they proceed
TO argue in effect that both newspapers and
men have a right TO utter treason and support
traitors without being interfered with by the
government. The conductors of such news
papers forget, and desire to have everybody
else forget, that according 10 the federal con-
stitution it is treason TO "adhere to the en-
emies of the United States and give
Them aid and comfort" They never Sow
their readers that liberty of speech does not
imply liberty to commit crimes against the
country, nor give any right whatever to aid
and comfort armed treason, by defending its
proceedings and assailing the government it
seeks TO destroy. 1t is not question of free
dom of speech, but question of treason,
which the public have to settle with such
men.
Union and the constitution there can be no
doubt that every newspaper in the country
that supports the JEFF. Davis conspirators,
either openly or covertly, ought to be sup
pressed not indeed by mobs, but by author
itv of the government itself, which is solemn
ly bound to arrest, silence, and punish
traitors. Their cowardly malice may at.
tempt TO cover up their crimes against
the government under hypocritical talk about
elderly Of speech )" and so the midnight as.
sassin might attempt to deny his crimes by
pleading that he has a right to own knives
and pistols. The truth is, that the prevalent
feeling in regard to freedom Of speech has
made the government too lenient toward those
whose treasonable utterances and practices
have claimed impunity in the name of free
dom. There has been too much torbearance
towards treason and traitors, not only IN this
respect, but in nearly all respects. There is
likely to be such change as the welfare OF
the country demands.
Every body understands that there is a
close alliance between the northern newspapers
and politicians that REASONABLY assail and viii
lily the government, and the confederate trail
tors under JEFF Davis. They are in commune
cation with each other and work in concert
for the same object. They all mean to sub
vert the government, i'll order to install over
the whole country the despotic leaders of that
treason who have made war on the govern
ment, and repudiate the old flag. Some Of
the northern men and journals who engage il
this criminal business, do it probably in the
mere greatness of partizan feeling but al
drunkenness is not a valid excuse for murder
SO partzan madness can not excuse treason
The traitors relied on this depraving influence
of party feeling to make their conspiracy sue
W reiU9,nes >l-o fog Jdst as they believed hal
the people of the north would act. Their sup
porters in the loyal states are too few TO do
for them all they desire but these northern
supporters of the secession conspiracy are none
the less guilty on this account. 1t is time for
them to understand that this fearful war with
organized traitors lie not mere partizan con-
fict, and that if they take the side of the trail
tors, they must take with it all the conse-
Quences. Partizan magniy is bad enough
at any time, but when it lends itself to de-
struction of the government it becomes crime
tor which there should be no liberation. Those
who can smile on such crime, and treat it
W it'll elaborate civility, and speak to it smooth
things, and sprinkle it with rose water, are not
fit for the serious ork which patriotic men
now have on hand.
There should be prevalent in all the loyal
states such earnestness 10 put down this wick
ed rebellion, such enthusiasm to maintain the
Union and constitution, and such a sense of
the crime of treason, as will make these states
too hot for the men who apologize for seces-
sonists and talk as if the rebellion were nno-
cent The peace" traitors who serve the
leaders of rebellion by denouncing resist
ance to it, should be compelled to go to their
own place. The country, our institutions, our
place among the nations, all these are involved
in the struggle, and this is not time for tri
fling with serious duties. The whole power
of the nation should be reused to deal with the
war; and those who stand in the way of pa
triotsm, defending traitors, justifying rebel
lion, and reviling the efforts of the govern
ment 10 defend its authority and save itself
from destruction should be crushed without
mercy.