Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1862-01-29
IE ALIEN AND sEDITION LAWS.
THE LESSONS OF HISTORY.

THE sBrITIoN LAW.

THE SBhlTlON LAW.
4 These werethe famous ALLEN Laws" Of
Eohn Adams Administration. But it re-
hurried the ",Sciition Lars" 10 reach Rahpe
Worn Democrats, and thus to secure the Ad-
bninistralion from all opposition, and also
&permanent possession Of power and office
And emolument.
n On the l4th of July, 1893, it was enacted
fthat if any persons unlawiuliy conspired
Hto oppose "any measure" Of the United
States to preyentEuy public officer from
Executing his trust, or advised or attempt
led ITO procure any insurrecliOn, riot, un-
.awful assembly, or combination, whether
tsuch conspiracy, threatening counsel, ad-
4yce, or attempt should have the proposed
\ tellect or not" they should be deemed
Iguilty of high misdemeanor, and on con-
4ylctiOn punished by fine not exceeding
#S50OO, and by imprisonment during Il
aterm OF not less than six months nor e&-
ceeding five years and further, at the
( discretion of the court, might be holden
y to find suret:es for good behavior in such
sum, and for such time as the court mighl
direct.
Il The second section of this act ne pre-
seat entire as legal, political, and consti-
tuional curiosity:
Sec. 9. That if any person shall write,
3prnt, utter, or publish, or shall cause or
procure to be written, printed, uttered, or
published, or shall knowingly and willing
\ " assist or AID in writing, printing, utter
Sing, or Publishing any false, scandalous,
sand malicious writing or writings against
Sthe Government of the United States, or
Asither House of the Congress of the Uni
Ited States or the President of the United
States, with intent to defarae the said
or either House Of said Con.
sgress or the said President; or to bring
|tbem or either of them into contempt or
'tlisrepute, or to excite against them or Ell.
Ither of them, the haiti ed Of the good peo-
'ple of the United States or to stir up SC
.dtion within the United States, or to
teXcit an unlawful combinations therein,
Hor opposing or resisting any law OF the
nnI.ed States or any acts Of the President
bfthe United States, done IN pursuance Of
Ihnl such law, or Of the powers in him YES.
he'd by the Constitution Of the United
3States or to resist, oppose, or defeat any
1such law or act ; or to aid, encourage, or
'abet ary hostile designs OF any foreign ma
ition against the United States, their peo~
/ bic, or Government, then such persons,
being thereof convicted before any court,
Ihaving jurisdiction thereof, shall be pun
Eshed by fine not exceeding $1,000, and
1by imprisonment not exceeding two
Wears
1t was in opposing these Infamous acts
Nhat Edward Livingston, OF New York,
made his great speech,o on the 2lst ofJune,
|l7oS.
Away" said he, with that liberty
(which hangs on chance lie would dis
|dain to enjoy the liberty which depended
|upon the will OF one man, and should be
ASHAMED of any man that would consent
thus to holdit.
should the evil proceed no further than
the execution of the present law, what
tiearful picture will our county present
4Ihe system of espionage being thus estab-
lisheA, the country will swarm with intor'
Nmers, spies relaters, and all that odious
Reptile tribe that breed IN the sunshine OF
kdespotie power, that suck the blood OF the
IOnfortunate, and creep into the bosom of
,sleeping innocence, only to awake 1t with
p burning wound The hous Of TIE most
.unsuspecting confidence, the iptimacies OF
\ Friendship, or the reeesses of domestic re-
atirement afford no security. The compan'
slon whom you most trust, the friend IN
4wAom you moet confde, the domestic who
INaits in youl chamber, are all tempted to
tbelray your imprudence or unguarded
Follies; to misrepresent your words, to
tfonvey them, distorted by calumny to the
ecret tribunal where jealousy presides-
where fear oficiates as an accuser, and
uspicion Is the only evidence that is
beard.