Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-10-02
HON. SAMUEL LINN'S
Charge TO the Grand Jury.
SEPTEMBER TERM, 1861.
GENrLENsN OF TIVE GRAND jury:

cial duties to-day under very solemn ano
Y circumstances. Since the last
Iterm of this Court, events have occurred
s IN the history of our national government
of the most serious and startling character.
4 need not refer to these events in detail
rs they form conspicuous part ofthe his
4 tory of the rebellion against which this
nation is now struggling, with which ev-
ery intelligent citizen is presumed to be
Familiar. We have fallen upon strange
,ines and are experiencing a state of na>
tional trial which would seem not
10 have been apprehended by the fathers
and foundert Of this confederacy. In that
admirable constitution, by which the u
MON and compact of these States were
formed, and under which they have, un-
Ill recently, remained linked together by
strong and peaceful bond orunion, there
are no provisions which contemplate Ell
ther an amicable separation or an anattempt
on the part of any one or more of the
States to forcibly withdraw from the u
MON and consequently, those public func-
;ionaries whose duty il is to provide for
the public safety and protection have
been occasionally embarrassed by consti-
tulonal restrictions, apparent or real, or
want of constitutional authority TO meet
fully ard promptly the eXigencies of the
times.
When we consider the magnitude of
the rebellion, tue years which have been
occupied in diligent and systematic prep
aration for this attempt to overthrow the
government-the number and character
Of the individuals concerned in 1.-THE
object and purposes which, as we have
reason to believe, have long been secretly
meditated and are now openly and def
antly avowed-the acts which they have
already done in furtherance of their plans,
and the further outrages and atrocities
which they would seem to have in imme~
diate contemplation, we cannot but con-
slider it the most alarming event that has
ever occurred in our history. There is
enough in this to fill the stoutest heart
with dismay and terror.
When our country is ia the midst OF
such perils, every citizen has duties whleh
flow from the allegiance that he owes to
the government and which as loyal free
man he i, bound 80 perform. The sum
OF these duties is thai he shall do all that
in him lies to aid in protecting and deIen-
ding the existence and the honor of the
nation This Is demand to which pat
riot is always ready to yield a cheerful
obedience. Next to his Maker he acs
knowledges that his country has the high.
est claims upon him.
We, as a constituent branch OF the State
government, have duties devolving on us,
which relate TO the present condition Of
public affairs duies which we should
perform, promptly, faithfully and with
out fear, favor or affection. but we should
at the same time give 20 them temper
ate and impartial consideration. OF these
! shall come presently to speak.
am compelled, though with deep re.
gret, to believe that there is not at the
present time amongst the inhabitants of
the loyal States ar entire, unanimous and
hearty cooperation with the national gov
ernnlent in the attempt now making to
suppress the rebellion nay, more, am
credibly informed that there are amongst
us not only persons who secretly sympa>
thize with the rebellion, but those also
who boldly and publicly avow sentiments
which are in opposition to the authority
OF the government. Such persons, whilst
they merit thecontempt ofthe people of
this, and every other civilized nation on
earth, and are bringing disgrace upon
themselves and their posterity, should
nevertheless receive the punishment
which the law assigns 10 them.
This leads us to consider and define tire
offences which may be committed direct
ly against the government. Although
some of those belong to ,he exclusive ju-
risdicton of the federal courts, it may not
be out of place to notice them here in or
der that you and the people of the county
who happen TO be present may be made
TO understand something of the nature
and extent of the obligations which tn ey
owe as citizens. The present generation
Of Americans know but little experiment
tally of state Of war, and it therefore
should not surprise Us that their attention
has never been particularlydirected to the
duties which at such time are incident
TO tie relation that exists between gov
and its citizens or subjects. |
am therefore lei to take a charitable
view of the conduct Of those who may
have seemed to forget or depart from
their allegiance, ard to attribute most, if
not all, such cases of delinquency, not so
much to a disposition openly to violate
the law or oppose the known authority of
The government, as to entire ignorance of
the laws demands and OF the nature and
design of the rebellion. am lead to
more than suspect that artful and wicked
men are making it their business to de-
eeive the people by leading them into the
Erroneous belief that the war is waged for
the supremacy of party, ir stead of being
9 struggle purely for the life Of the nation.
True that kind of loyalty, is not very
praisewo.thy or reliable which is not the
spontaneous outgoing of a patriotic heart,
but needs the unyielding lash of penal
sanction to keep it in shfpe. Still it Is
better then open rebellion.
The offences which directly affect or are
Injurious TO the government ar Treason,
blispsision Of Treason, and certain posi-
tive mispriSions or contempt Of its author
lty or supremacy.
BY the law Of England there were va
flous acts defined by statute which would
render the perpetrator guilty Of treason,