New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-16
8OUNTlEs FOR TREASON.


"a Loyal Tax-Payer" writes us in earnest
quest of q practical, commOn-sense answer to
this question: " Vas the Constitution of tho
United States designed and framed for the pro-
lection and benefit Of loyal. peaceful ~ti:ens. or
rather for securing immsnity and epery possible
Advantage to Noodtkirsty trsitors7" 1t does
seem to us that grave Senators and HOnOra-
bio Representatives would be better prepared
for their duties by giving an hours dispassion-
ate thought tc our unsophisticated friends
rather startling question.
If that construction of ths Constitution which
seems current in tho Senate and in large
class of journals is the true one, it is
very clear that the instrument We have been taught
to revere should be entitled a cOntrivance for
promoting instructions, encouraging Civil War,
and rendering Treason safer than Loyalty.
Just take a plain, everyday case for illustra-
ton:
John Shook is quiet, plodding Virginia
farmer, living up in the Dutch portion of the
Shenandoah Valley, where slaves are few and
labor by Whites quite respectable. He has
good farm, well stocked with some money at
interest, all which he wants to transmit to his
children. lie is no politician. though he has
usually voted the Democratic ticket alOrg with
nineteen n-twentieths of his neighbors. has no
particular grievance to complain OF, aud voted
to send Union Delegates to the Convention OF
1861, not perceiving any reason for plunging
the country into rebellion. anarchy, and civil
war. But the Convention did just what the
People elected it TO leave uDdone-pass an
Ordnance of Secession; and, when he went to
the polls to vote that Ordinance down, he
found them surrounded by armed bules swear
ing vengeance against whoever should give his
suffrage for Abe Lincoln and the AbolltiOnis's
against Southern Rights" and shouting en-
thusiastic approval of tho recent letter of Sem
ator Mason, proclaiming that whoever voted
az sinst Secession must prepare to quit the
State. So Shook smelt wooden, and concluded
on tho whole not to vote. lie got out of the
crowd as speedily and quietly as possible, aud
made his way home directly.
Now, Shook is man of peace, is content
with his belongings, and wants pre-eminenhy
to save them: but how is he to do it If he
takes ground for the Union. no matter bow
i,oaensivey, and renders no allegiance to JEFF.
Davis, he knows well that the vicegerents OF
that potentate will stand on no ceremony.
They will hang him or shoot him on sight,
r.. II 1r;y IL. IN
feed their armies, and take his horses and
wagons for their artillery and baggage. All
the property of avowed Unonists that comes
within their reach 10 Mt worth to its ownen
five cents on the dollar, and their lives are
worth scarcely more.
How is it on the other sids' II he turns
renegade to his country, through sheer cow
ardice and sefshness what does he risk from
her violated laws Has she none other than
scarecrow penalties for mercenary traitors
1t would seem not. if Messrs. Cowan g. Co. in
the Senate and Judge Swsync on the bench
are true expounders Of the Constitution. That
instrument would seem u have been concocted
on purpose 10 mako loyalty perilous aud trea
and will be confscated by summary process If
the Rebellion triumphs; il the Unonists sue
ceed, their hands nre tied by the Constitution.
Judge Swayne decides that when that charter
Of government prescribes (Sec. H. that
81 Treason ss.ins, the United State. shall cop,. only
against them IN sdhsngt their enemies giving
the aid and confort-'
,nust ha construaI IN mann Ipr,fgu anemies
only. not domestic traitors. To furnish guns
or ammunition to Mexico, in case Of war with
her, would be treason, though she could do us
little or no harm: TO supply just such arms
and munitions to JEFF. Davis and his clan when
they held the Republic by the throat aud
thought they had choked the breath out Of it,
is nothing of the sort As this is not sense,
We presume it must be law; but We venture
TO assert that no man ever thought of that
construction until ho found himself arrested for
treason or was called to defend as lawyer
some one who had been.
Now let US look carefully ut the clause
which is held to forbid the coniiscation ire
vocaby of the property of fragrant rebels:
- TIE Congress shall have power to declare the punish
Of treason but sainder Of treason shall cor
rupon OF blood forfeiture, except during the life Of tho
person a,,snted"
This, it is assumed, forbids the passage Of
any act of Congress whereby tho property Of
JEFF. Davis, Floyd Beauregard Howell Cobb,
and other conspicuous traitors, shall be for
ieited forever because of their treason. But