New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-07
TREASON AT HONE.

TREASON AT HOME.
Public attention requires to DO directed
toward the frequen. signs of sympathy with the
Rebellion which are displayed in Northern
cities, aud which are suffered to pass with
impunity. The point where liberation ceases
to be virtue was long ago exceeded. Grant
ing that these signs betray no cause for seri
Gus apprehension, there is still necessity for
their suppression. Now, il ever, the truth
should be felt that the North must turn to tins
contest with more earnestness and unanlmiiy
than it has yet revealed, in order to accom-
plIsh the results upon which 1t has ilxed ITS
hopes. The decision and determination of the
South must be ryaled; aud as all elements OF
strength should now be stimulated, so those
Of weakness should be uprooted and dispersed.
We should have learned this bitter lesson from
our enemies before the present day; but 1t is
not vet too late. From this time beDceiorward
q jealous guardianship OF our cause, and
pronpt retribution toward those who, while
moving among us, seek to corrupt 1t, Should
teach the world that the resolution and Ugor
Of this war are not all upon the Rebel side.
There is no end to the abuses OF Northern
lenity of which Rebel sympathizers are guilty..
Words and actions which, if hazarded at the
South on behalf Of tho Union, would DO re-
wa-ded BY the gallows, are here the commonest
events of the day. We can imagine the tate
of a baud of public laborers, for exaupe,
bound to important duties, who should re-
poun.e their tasks on grounds of want OF sym
patty with the Rebel Government and is aims.
The front rank in the next desperate battle
would be their easiest fate. We can fancy tho
doom Of merchants and traders Of prominent
station who should ayow ideutity Of feeling
with the Government of the Union. For them
the common jail would DO moderate penalty.
We can picture the spectacle vi great hotels
and other public resorts Haunting their record
of ho,tinty to public sentiment, and hold
ina informal sessions for the yilifcation Of
the chiefs of tho Rebel land. The swiitest
suppression Of such nests OF treason
would hardly satsly the popular impotence
We can even suppose the case OF the
public's humble servants, the payers, iaSi'hng
their feeble spite and spleen upon the COM
munity that nourshcd them. II needs 10 GIFT
Of second sight to tell hos speedily their med
dIesome melodrama would be transformed into
a tragedy too real for their mimic minds. In
great things and in small the reycngelul spirit
of the souiherncrs is all alert. And although
it is neither u ,pIrit of revenge nor OF unmean
ing hatred that we counsel We cannot be blind
10 the necessity for following. in a legitimate
method, in certain vital matters, the rigorous
rule they haze established.
There is more latitude Of expression at the
North to-day, in this critical hour, than there
had been at the South in any time ior ten
years before the breaking out OF the Rebellion.
The utterance of sentiments hostile to the
Union aud favorable TO Secession is free to all
who may entertain them. By example and BY
precept the SecesslOns. of Nc~.Yorh may work
whatever eyil he may 10 inspired with against
this Government. lie has no need Of secrecy.
Indeed, be may think his case u hard one II
active treason inyalidltes his rights and prl'i.
leges as citizen. Some OF the heartiest enc
ME, TO the Government are the favorItes of
tie bounty. We recall tho ease of we'll
known iron merchant in this city, who while
feeding upon fat contracts makes hiasel. noto-
rous By his oud-mouthcd endeayors to injure
the cause be il bound by a double sense OF
honor aud loyalty TO support. This u II rep
instance there arc plenty lihc 1t.
It il not wise, it is not prudent, that this
state OF things should last. There are tunes
when public security demands that those more
liberal instincts which prevail at happier Pc
RODS should be- modified ard held IN due re-
.traint. Tie principle OF free speech affords
no justification for the traitorous license which
is increasing among US. From mouth to month
the Secessionsts of the North, and Of this city
especially, have been growing holder. There
IS danger in yielding them further IMMUNITY,
and It is time the limit were at last Fixed to
their eiiron,ery.