The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-08-09

marching ON AiOcEty.
Treason Talk.
Amid the invigorating, seul-refreshing
glow inspired by the patriotic ardor with
which so many of our noble, loyal young
men during the past week have rushed
to the standard of their country at the
call of the President, there has mingled
in this city an undercurrent of the poison
GUS slime Of treason, SO insignificant, in
deed: as scarcely to deserve contempt, yet
capable, If not checked, of infuslng its
poison to an extent that may lead to
serious consequences
Treason, iurists tell us, consists in the
overt act, and no man can be held guilty
of treason for merely expressing an opin.
ion. We submit, however, that standing
on the street corners and urging men not
to enlist, and even going further, and by
inf1ammatory appeals, urging and meeting
men by force to resist the authority Of
the government in case a draft of the
militia is made-if this does not amount
to the "overt act of treason, it comes so
near it, that we are at loss to see the
difference. Now men Of this town have
done this during the past week, and are
doing it now. 1t is true, they are mostly
miserable, craven whelps that deserve nc
notice, but there are few men so low a,
not to have some influence; and it is use
less to shut our eyes to the fact that the
influence of these men is making itself
apparent at rate to justify some concern
Now these gentlemen are we'll KNOWN
few of them have passed for respectable
citizens; but we think we are backed by
nine-tenths of this community, when we
say to these men that they will find q
Little more prudence and reserve in future
more profitable We are far from making
threats-mean nothing of the sort-but
when men raise recklessly the whirlwind
they must abide the storm.
Nine hundred and ninety nine Of g
thousand of the people of this community
are and mean to he loyal; but your one
snesking, Shiny traitor getting among
them and plying them with dastardly mis-
representation and falsehood, may lead
their innocent dupes into the most serious
trouble, and involve the whole community
in painful consequences
Now as to the proposed draft-wha,
does it amount to? At the present rate oil
enlisting it is doubtful whether any draf,
in this county will be resorted TO- But
suppose it is-at the outside La Sale
county will not be called upon to contri
QUITE over 500 men. We will have GOO
men to draw from-one in T. When the
draft Is made s, 800 men will have escaped
who will have an interest in compelling
the other 500 to 60. Of these 500, 4Ut
| will go without murmur One hundred
will be left to 60 unwillingly and of whom
apart, by wicked counscls, may be inclined
to make fuss. Now what chance hav,
they for success? Why, this will be th'
end Of it, good friends A file of soldiers
if necessary, will come and take them. !
they are obstreperous, they will be gagged
and carried off by main force; and i
vicious, may be punctured by bayone
or bullet. That is the way it will end
Is any one mad enough to imagine that il
so small an affair the government will
allow itself TO be banked and its authori
ty de6ed? You might as we'll undertake
to resist an earthquake
Oonon1 - ronl fr;a~Is VII To
of foreign or native birth, that those mel
who stand on the street corners and urg
and advise you to the commission of UT
lawful acts, are your worst enemies, an,
deserve your kicks, your scorn and cor
tempt We speak earnestly, for We kno,
whereof we affirm. This government
engaged q gigantic war to put down trea
son; it will accomplish that at any an,
every cost, and will be as ready ant
prompt to crush the monster in Ottawa a
t in Richmond.
| There is but one government of the
United States, and Abe Lincoln is at the
head of it. We had q thousand times
rather Stephen A. Douglas occupied hi,
place, but if no did our obligation to ODE,
his lawful authority would be not q whi
more promptly recognized or more capable
of being avoided or shirked, than it is t.
recognize that of Mr.. Lincoln. 1t is no
Abe Lincoln but the United States tina
demand our allegiance. Abe Lincoln may
make, and probably has made, many mis-
takes-we can reach him at the polls; but
while in the legitimate line of enforcing
the constitution and laws. woe to the hand
that would impede his authority, for he i.
accompanied in his march by a might,
army with banners, and is clothed with
thundeIbolts.