The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-08-30
Treason Must NOt Be COuntenanoed.

Treason Must Not Be Countenanoed.
Arc treason and rebellion offences
against tho Government and the laws, or
are they jusiifiable under our political !
system? This may seem 10 be a strange
question 70 ask; but there really appears
to be q wide difference Of opinion as to
how II should be answered, Law books
and the common voice Of mankind have
always pronounced rebellion as the great.
Get offence acitizen could commit against
his Government. and deserving Che So
verest punishment But il was reserved
for certain political philosophers Of she
South 70 discover that BY the Constltu-
ton Of The United States, citizen has
the same privilege TO shoot down an on.
Ger whoa the latter attempts 70 execute a
law unpalatable to him, that be had to
vote against that officer AZ tho polls; that
citizens have The same right 10 got hp an
armed rebellion that they have 20 attend
Bank, Tariff or Railroad Meeting
that BnEoEIERIpoE Che Rebel General
occupies as constitutional position as
BREcKINHIDoE the candidate for the Press
idency that, in fine, 10 be a rebel is no
more reprehensible than 70 be Demo
crat, Wing, or Republican and thai
it Is monstrous tyranny to punish man
for a mere political difference Thus we
see The prepcsterous spectacle Of men
armed cap a-pie 70 destroy The Govern~
ment, protesting yehemenily against the
illegality Of Confscation Acts, Just as if
they were not themselves engaged in a
wild crusade against their Government
and its laws II is a deplorable fact
that the Administration has given too
much countenace to the fnonstrons idea
that this hell-born and hell bound rebel.
lion is only difersneeoF political opin-
ion, by It's unwise clemency towards mo-
tOriOus and Migrant traitors; and has
induced rebels 70 believe that it looked
polite, but not criminal. So long as VIC
allow rebels 70 pass in and out Of oul
lines, take them into public employment
forbear to use their property, negroes
horses and provisions freely for Govern
ment use--so long as we treat them as
citizens, whose treason has made them
forfeit none Of their priyileges--so long
do we encourage them TO believe that We
do not regard rebellion as crime. Fol
Democratic or Wing President a few
years ago to give an Office or a contract
to a political opponent was magnanimity
which might be highly beneficial to Oh,
public service; but it is a very different
thing TO take one who has been identified
with the rebellion and oo-worler with
traitors, and give him lucrative con.
tract or appoint him to an office; so very
different indeed that it is sure TO prov,
d's..ssts0us TO the Government and 20 th,
public; to the Government because al
enemy will not prove faithful servant
TO the public, because it destroys th,
confidence in the integrity Of the Govern
ment excites suspicious of a oollusior
between the parties for purposes Of gain
and destroys all nice aud lofty scnti
mOnts Of honor. Treason and rebellion
are offences enormous offences--orimei
of the first magnitude, to be abhorreC
and punished, and not mere difference
of political opinion which may be tOler
ated in civilized community. We mus
make treason odious; we must scar it
hideous brow with the brand Of infamy
we muse make the name of traitor az
odious as the hated name Of tory--al
odious as IL has been regarded by al
men from the days Of JUDAs IsoARIor {,
those of AARON Burr. It's something
not to be tolerated or looked upon will
The least allowance. IL is a PANDORA
Box of evil, which has let loose upon CHI
land, hypocrisy, perady, perjury, rob
berry, murder and widespread horrO
and desolatiOni and we cannot tolerate
it without mourning a share Of its odium