The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-23
For the Union and Journal.
"To whom 1t may Concern"

"To whom 1t may Concern"
In the Saco Democrat of July 10. an ar
ticle under tho above caption, and under the
signature of "a Subscriber" appeared
The writer asks that the columns Of the
Democrat, or those of the Union and Jour
nal may be used to answer his inquiries
We use the columns of the Journal only be-
cause we have abundant reason to believe
that our remarks could find no place in tho
Democrat. We certainly should much pre-
fer to reply through the columns OF the Dem
ocrat.
1t appears that "a Subscriber" is willing
to be informed, even from the columns ofthc
Journal. This is hopelul--we do not say
this in any spirit Of sarcasm or lropy-but
rather the words of truth and soberness. II
is an undoubted and indisputabe fact that
there are few presses, scattered here and
there over the Free States, which, for q few
months past, have been in the constant hab-
it of industriously disseminating reasonable
designs and encouraging traitorous conduct.
But what makes the matter worse, these trea-
sonabie sheets only, are read by large class
of voters-by men who have been reared and
educated to believe that party, and not pr:n-
eipie, should be the guiding star of their POI
litical action, and that whatever partisan
Convention may resolve, its resolutions should
be religiously believed and boldly advocated,
by every member Of tho party. without ask.
ing any questions. In the lindcst spirit, We
repeat that II is u favorable omen, when q
man is earnestly seeking the path Of duty.
We do not profess, by any means, to be able
to point out the path Of duty to any one !;
but VIC think we shall be of some benefit in
aiding "a Subscriber" to learn the truth as
it is in the glorious Constitution of our be-
loved country, and in the common sense and
hearts Of the American people.
Tho Constitution of the United States,
article third, section third, defines treason US
follows :-"Treason against The United States
shall consist only in ierying ,cdr against them,
or IN adhering TO their enemies, .giring them
aid and comfort" Webster's Dictionary do
fines treason rs follows Treason is The high
est crime Of a eiui nature Of ,chich man can
be guilty. In general, IL is The offence Of at
tempting 10 ouerthrow The gorernment of The
State 10 whieh The offender oices allegiance, or
Of Jeiraying the State into the hands of a for
eign po,or." Having found a definition Of
trcaton, wo proceed to answer tho questions
of "a Subscriber" We quote from mem.
DRY, but we believe that substantially only
two questions are asked, namely Il. Is it
compatible with the character of good and
loyal citizen, in the present crisis. to weaken
the credit, and the executive and moral pow.
er of the General Government by uttering or
printing any slanderous or libellous matter
tending to such result2 Q. Have the pco-
pie Of Maine any political or moral right,
at the coming State election, to express their
opinion, by voting, for or against a compro-
misc with the rebels and traitors? II the
Constitution gives the definition of treason
in the Kings English, and common, plain
man can understand it, it would appear that
those men who advocate rebellion to the law
full and constitutional government, thus Civ
ing the traitors aid and comfort, are trying
to weaken the power Of the Government, di-
rsctly or Indirectly, are public nuisances, and
ought to be abated legally, lkeany other nui-
sance, are reasonable sheets, because attempt
ing 10 destroy the allegiance OF the people. Tho
utmost freedoms OF speech ought to DO, and is
allowed by the genius Of American Institu-
tions, consistent with their existence. But
when, by vandal hands, the Temple Of Amer.
lean Liberty has been set on fire, and its en-
tire demolition Is threatened, shall wc, its
occupants, sit idly by and see its noble col
umns and its massive walls RACED to the
ground by the demoniac action Of internal
foes? No. 1t would be the rankest treason
to act thus. Is the Goddess Of American
Liberty to nurse and warm into life the viper
which only is awaiting life and strength to
give her deadly wound! Patriots! those who
telch secession" are imbied with the most
scottish ignorance or the foulest treason.-
Turn from it Us you would from the fangs Of
the rattlcsnake, which has been so appropri-
ately adopted by the traitorS-in-arlns as an
emblem.
As to the second question, il only IN
opinion is given and the action of the Gen.
eral Government is sustained and supported
by the people of Maine, it would DO useless
and uncallcd for. If q compromising, or
"ncutral ground is meant, We answer en-
phatically that Maine cannot and will not
take any such position. The Union and
the Constitution must be sustained at any cost,
and their foes must be destroyed.
CONSTITUTION.
Tho Government Loan.