The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-09-04

the Magistrates did wrong in releasing him,
Notwithstanding the miserable, inefficient
law. Such cases as that must be punished.
and IL the law is not amended and made to
apply f. them, the people must administer
punishment in summary manner. Ii any
case Of the kind occurs in this section, we
may safely say a remedy will be applied,
law or no law. But we do hope the present
Legislature will pass proper and efficient
treason law. Charlotte Democrat
II is with no degree Of pleasure that we see para
paragraphs like the above in respectable journals Of The
State nosympathy with traitors, but we have
no desire 70 put unnecessary trammes on the freedom
Of speech. To avoid scylIa we would not rush into
Charibds. AThe Constitution and the Laws we
hold to as the sheet anchor Of liberty, and the security
Of all our social enoymenis; they in no case be
set aside without extreme danger TO individual rights
The freedom Of the press and the liberty Of speech may
be abused, and frequently are but they important
weapons in resistance to tyranny and restraining corr
rupcn in high places. If this right Of free speech Is
to be cuailed in any degree let il be done strictly in
conformity 10 law Entertaining these views we can
not subscribe TO the doctrine contained in The above
paragraphs.
The definition Of treason has not been left for the
action Of the State Legislatures. The provision in The
Constitution Of the old United States in this regard has
been adopted unsered into the Constitution Of the
Confederate States which declares that Treason
against the Confederate States shall consist only ia
eyying war against them in adhering their enc
mics, giving them aid and comfon;' aad " No person
shall be convicted treason unless the testimony Of
two witnesses TO the same Oue act confession in
open Court An ordinance passed BY our Stale Con-
senon al s late session made the same provision
part Of the Constitution Of this State.
This matter is therefore not left 10 the discretion Of
State Legislatures. II is fixed statute, as il should
be- IL is matter Of too much importance, Of too deli
cate nature, 70 be acted on lightly. Legislatures are
composed Of islbIe men and Il acting under excite
meni, as Is sometimes the case. or hastily, under
suspension Of the rule as was the case in the extra
session Of our Legislature ia May. very injudcious
laws might be passed on the subject.
But i danger may be apprehended from the hasty
action q the Legislature of State how much more
danger may be sPprehended il summary punishment is
TO be administered without any Of the forms Of law,
without judge or jury, BY excited populace guided
BY no Law exceP, the binding madness Of the moment
Evils are only multiplied, never remedied, By these
regular proceedings. There is safety only in due re-
seienes for The law and il should be honorcd as well
IN the manner in which il is administered Is in pro-
per subsection 10 Il.
Our cherished motto has long been {" The Union, the
Constitution and the Laws" The Union as ], was-
the bOas, and the hope Of country and the
Of IL Prospcriiy-hss been broken up BY The usurpa-
lions Of Lincoln and the entertainments Of the Repub
iean faction. Ifthe Constitution and the Laws are to
Be- set aside, and The Preddces and passions Of men
Be suffered 70 rule the hour. what shall We have lefe
valuable Of all that fathers loed and bled for !,
Are we approaching thisi are we 10 follow the evil
example Of the Lincoln faction, and shut up 10 prisons.
OF immediate sesaods. all who utter sentiments not
10 accordance with The prevailing popular opniOni
reign q terror based principles such a these once
delused France in blood; We hope The beginnings Of
such things viii never disgrace our fair land.