The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-01-22

mand TO Know whether you uegah az the ue-
ginning and cleared out all who held Office
under the late governments and when they
are told no; such persons have been consid-
cred eligible to place under the new govern
ment. and no questions asked, the will scout
the precedent OF l777, and say if we are to
be purged with this great oath or leave the
country; those who held the offices. and re-
ceiyed their compensations under the old
government, should take dose that would
unbreach a cannon. at least before they are
trusted with official power. | apprehend,
Sir, when the subject is viewed in this light.
that many, though they have not slept for
the last year like Rip Van Wrinkle, may
come to the conclusion that there has been
no very violent revolution alter all. and that
if there has, such terrible swearing is not
,Christian-like or decent.
Mr.. President. the first and second sec
tions Of this ordinance are scarcely less OBJ
jectionable than what have been consider
ing The report of the committee informs
US, that the offences therein enumerated. and
which the committee calls sedition. were in
the act of 1777, called rnisprision Of treason.
1t is. therefore, reviving an old obsolete
crime under new and milder name. The
American world, at least, has made some
progress as to these crimes of Leese Maiesfy.
treason, misprision of treason. &c., since
Ivy. twas great point gained for human
life and liberty, that in the Federal Consti-
tuition of 1887, treason was defined to con-
sisi only in levying war against the United
States, or in adhering TO their enemies, Civ
ing them aid and comfort; a provision that
has been literally copied in the Constitution
Of the Confederate S;ates-and by an ordi-
nance of this body, into that OF this State
also. 1t is enough TO make the blood run
cold, now, to review the history of what
were at different times denomnated and adj
judged treason in England, and to remember
what hecatombs of human victims the fluc-
tuating state OF the law, and its plant and
corrupt administration, to favor the views of
the .reigning sovereign or his minions, car
ried to the scaffold and the gibbet. An ex-
traordinary instance of treason by words.
was mentioned in our discussion of this sub
iect at the last session, where man of note
was put to death for declaring in momen Mt
Of irritation, on hearing Of the shooting BY
the King, Of his favorite stag, that che wish
!, ed the horns Of the stag were in the Kings
belly" As Plutarch relates OF Dionysius,
the tyrant, that he capilally executed sub.
ject for relating that he had dreamed he kill.
ed the King, saying il was proof that he
thought of it while awake. Sir, the fate Of
Sidney and Russell, and hundred other
martyrs Of that very freedom. which doomed
out in the English revolution of 1858, and
assumed its full proportions in our American
Constitutions century later, will rush up.
on our memories at the suggestion of thi,
theme, and illustrate the wisdom Of the Con
stituiional provision. While il sufficiently
secures the government from treacherous ant
parricidal hands, il protects the citizen from
that vortex OF constructive and exploded
treasons, which has engulphed in bloody and
premature graves so many innocent men
"To prevent the possibility Of those cslsmi
ties which result from the extension OF trea
SON to offences of minor importance, (sayi
Chief Justice Marshall,) that great funda
mental law which defines and limits the va
rious departments Of our government, ha
given rule on the subject both to the Legis
latare and the Courts OF America. which nei
Their can be permitted 10 transcend" Will
this limitation upon charges OF treason, ant
the experiences Of that rational freedom es
tablished BY the Constitution of the State
came more liberal views in relation TO N,
inferior crimes Of its class. Misprision 0
treason has entirely disappeared from III,
statute book Of the State. II is found in tia
Of the United States. covering only singl,
offence, according to its literal meaning. tina
of concealing and not disclosing and maxim.
known 10 the public authorities, the commis
sion of any. treason that may come to th,
knowledge OF the person charged. SeditioI
10 found in our Revised Code. as the head
ing of q particular offence. that Of erci;ini
slaves 10 instruction. 10 this connection. !
is a salutary part OF our law according witt
public sentiment. and can be executed will
effect. whenever an offender may be found
This was abundanily proved in The case o
Daniel Worth, and Of others. This law sp
plies to attempts 10 excite rebellion 10 de
graded caste in our society, wholly deroi'
Of all political power.
Bot among freemen, every one Of whom i
equal, in consultation and at the ballot-bOr
ifrestraints upon the freedom Of speech aDl