The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-05-24

TO deceive the public. Can yon prosecute
traitor south of Mason and Dixon's line?-
AS the old saying is. you might as well try
the devil in hell and summon as Jurors his
chief of angels, 1t is impracticaole; 1t can
not be done. Why, then. stand up here
conte ending that men should be tried by all
the constitutional guarantees that are thrown
around them in peaceful times! 1 repeat
what said. as no jurist has undertaken to
define the limits to which man might 60
in the honest defence of his lite when as
sailed, no statesman would undertake TO
limit the powers that the Government might
use to preserve its life when assaied By trai-
tors. l defy the gentleman to make an ar
gument worthy of the name against that
proposition.
Do you think that we will stand by, yiel-
ding to your argument. while you fetter our
legs ard bind our arms with the Constitution
Of the United States, that you may stab II
to death? Is that your idea of the Consttu-
ton. that il is made to tie the hands of hon
est men from its defence. while traitors may
stab it TO the heart? That is the use you
would make Of the Constitution of the Uni
ted States. Sir. say again, l have no
scruples about the Constitution OF the Uni
ted States as welded against traitors in this
time of violent revolution. You have seen
that the ordinary course Of the common law
and of the Constitution cannot be followed.
Shall the Constitution lie down and def
Must We give up ali our glorious principles
that were defended by it because traitors
have assaulted it in such q way that they
have prevented its operations Sir, folly
like that would deserve the ignominious tate
which would inevitably follow SO foolish
course.
Mr.. President. as l have said heretofore.
it is a remarkable fact, that although thou
sands upon thousands Of men have fallen
victims to this rebellion on the field of bat.
tie, and many thousands more have been
mangled and wounded. inhicting misery,
poverty. and death upon millions OF people
we are yet told on this floor that We should
be tender footed; that we cannot tie the
hands of a miserable traitor from giving IN
format on to the enemy. and thus aiding
them to carry on this sccursed war. Is
tha. the logic Of the SenateS Sir, he will
find but few adherents here; he will. and
less among the people. for they are entirely
ahead Of US in eli that pertains to the vigor-
Gus prosecution Of this war and vigorous
dealing with traitors according TO their
crimes. Why, sir, in every hole and corner
of this city. nay in almost every city OF the
United States. and 10 the country too, you
Hu1 IneSc sHPPorys binys uO'sousuoo
traitors who are ready on all occasions to
give information of all the movements Of
your army and ofevery other important fact
to the enemy. SO that they have il earlier
than we. Yos would not expect that .
man taken with arms in his hands. fighting
against our armies. persecutisg ~ TO death;
should go entirely without punishment; and
yet he does the enemy infinitely less SER
vice than the nan who. pretending TO be .
Union man. pretending to be loyal. worms
himself into the knowledge Of the most i'm
portans secrets Of your Executive. and then
goes forth aud gives ito your enemies.
whereby thousssds Of your men may die
in vain upon the field of battle. aud all
brought about by this slippery. shiny. srs's-
or. There are men who would get up a.
terward in this Senate. and. With tears IN
their eyes. plead the cause OF Jass :9en
wretch as that who, with all the sv'dsaSs
of guilt upoo him, vas sent on sol 2 M''s
While 20 soiourn 10 one Of our torssnesuc".'
and call !, inquisitorial. tyrso''o:', csvl"sn'
Sir the man thss makes a:e o. snsse ~
o.uen.s need oos tell ne b = loyl.-
tell you shs dassss 70 osr is's'sss'ess