The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-05-01
Good Evidence Of Treason.

Every act of legislation devised for
the punishment Of traitors and the sup
preston Of rebellion, has other influences
than those for which it was particularly
designed While such legislation is oper
ating with powerful effect on treason, it
is also to d certain degree developing the
latent sentiment Of locofoco sympathy for
treason which has always existed In the
Free States Thus for instance, the law
which declares the capital Of the only free
government on the face OF the globe, also
free, has had its tendency IN this re-
spect, and has proven more than one man
in the North traitor, who had managed
to conceal his sympathy IN his silent
hopes and antIcIpatlons Because that
law imposes a test oath On known seces-
sionists, it is pronounced oppressive; and
because it allows no man remuneration Tor
his property IN human flesh, if that man
is suspected Or an avowed traitor, it Is
declared Excessively absurd"
Whoever heard these paltroons deplore
the fact that thousands Of young and old
men gave up the comforts of home, the
profits and pleasures of business, with the
honors Of peace, to engage IN the war or
suppressing rebellion The North has
| been contributing millions in money
| The free and loyal States have been
sending thousands Of men, the ablest and
worthiest Of all our communities, whose
| departure is felt in the family circle by
wives and children-whose absence in
many instances affects business almost to
personal bankruptey-who have left the
professions unadorned, and who have gone
forth with the pledge OF their hearts
| blood on their banners. There IS nothing
| wrong in this feature of the rebellion
There is nothing oppressive IN this to We,
men and children. Oh no, nothing that
is absurd or oppressive But attenpj
the punishment of traitor by declaring
a slave free. and at once these bowling
hypocrites assail the public ear with The
cry that the Constitution IS az danger
Make secret traitor pledge his soul IL
his profession Of loyalty, by subscribing
to a. solemn oath, aud the same sckly cry
is beard again aud thus with all the et
forts and struggles Of the government
when it seeks to make the cause Of rebel
lion assume. lis responsibility and penal
ties, it is constantly opposed on the ple'
tndt usage ana pfectueht MUS. De re- pcC
ted, even if BY SO doing treason and rebel
lion should triumph
! We want 10 better evidence Of the trea
sonable feeling ol any man, whether n
live in the North or the South, than thi
constant persistency in insisting that tn
construction Of the Constitution and law
should be in favor of traitors. That il
attempting to suppress rebellion, we mus
not deyiate from certain fixed rules, or II
our efforts IL safe "a free government v
must not Interfere with any system Q
sl9yery, OF any condition OF society ont Q
which rebellion has sprung. so far as W
are concerned, we can accept no construc
ton OF the Constitution WHICH IN an.
spirit approves slavery or excuses resis
tance 10 the law. THE rebellion mus
be crushed There is nothing il our sys
TEN Of government too sacred TO be sacri
feed TO lis destruction; because, ii til
Shareholders rebellion succeeds, ali tina
j sacred and holy in free gosernmen
Will most assuredly be destroyed.