The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-08-26
OoNF1soAT1oN ACT.

we're, but yet II is just, sanctioned not
only by our national sense Of justice,
but by the universal practice of nations,
from the earliest period Of history. There
is no class of laws more generally sane
toned by the practice Of government,
than that class which connscates the
possessions OF rebels 10 the use and ben-
eft Of that government which they have
tried TO destroy. This law is conceived
IN no spirit Of revenge such is not its
purpose. It Is less liable to this charge
than any conGscation act ever before
passed. II goes so far as to give s'riy
days warning to all persons engaged m
the rebellion 10 desist from mad enter
prise which is doomed 70 certain and
disastrous failure. II couples an implied
entreaty and pledge Of pardon with the
severity Of its penal provisions. Butthe
days Of grace fast draw to a close, and
as the warning proclamation Of The Pres
ident was issued on the 25lh Of July,
their duration will expire on the 23d Of
September. The law will certainly be
enforced. Let none aatter themselves
that they can eyade its penalties, they
will! be inflicted on the guilty and obdu-
rate TO the letter. Men cannot be suffered
TO rebel against the Government, and
make the land run with blood without
suffering both inperson and in property.
lPuBLC-No. 1901
Az ACT TO suppress instruction, so pun
ish treason and rebo lion, 10 seize and
con6scate the property Of rebels, and
for other purposes.
BE II enacted by he Senate end House Of
REPRESENTATIVES ofHe United States Of Amer
lea in Congress assembled, That every person
who shall hereafter commit the crime of
treason against the United States, and
shall be adjudged guilty thereof, shall
suffer DEATH and all his slaves, if any,
shall be declared and made free; or At
the discretion of the court, he shall be
imprisoned for not less than five years,
and fined not less than ten thousand dol
lars; said fine shall be levied and collect
cd on any or all Of the property, real and
personal, excluding slaves, of which the
said person so convicted was the owner
al the time Of committing the said crime,
any sale or conveyance to the contrary,
notwithstanding.
Sec. 2. Ind be II further enacted, That
If any person shall hereafter incite, set
on foot, assist, or engage in any rebellion
or insuncction against the authority of
the United States, or the laws thereof, or
J shall give aid or comfort thereto, or shall
engage in or give aid and comfort to, any
such existing rebellion or instruction,
and be convicted thereof, such person
shall be punished by imprisonment for a
period lot exceeding ten years, or by
fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars,
and by the liberation Of all his slaves if
any he have; or by both of said punish
ments, at the discretion Of the court.
Sec 3. Ind be IL further enacted, That
every person guilty of either of the often
ces described in this act shall be forever
incapable and disqualified TO hold any
| office under the United States.
Sec 4 And be 10 further enacted, That
this act shall not be construed in any
way TO affect or altar the prosecution,
conviction, or punishment of any person
or persons guilty Of treason against the
/ United states before the passage of this
act, unless such person is convicted I'M
/ der this act
See D. AHd be 70 further enacted That
( to ensure the speedy termination Of the
present rebellion, 10 shall be the duty Of
/ the President of the United States 10
cause the seizure Of all the estate and
property, money, stocks, credits, and ef-
| fects Of the persons hereinafter named
! in this section, and TO apply and use the
same and the proceeds thereof for the
support of the army Of the Emitted States;
! that is 10 say:
First OF any person hereafter acting
as an officer OF the army or navy of the
| rebels in array against the Government
| Of the United States.
Secondly. OF any person hereafter act
ing as President, Nice-PrcsidenL mem
/ Der of Congress, Judge Of any court, cab
/ met officer, foreign minister, commits
sioner or consul Of the so-called Confed-
crate States of America.
Thirdly. OF any person acting as
1 Governor of State, member Of a Con
vention or Legislature, or Judge Of any
/ court Of any Of the so-calIed Confederate
/ States Of America.
Fourthly. OF any person who, having
! held an Office Of honor trust or profit in
I the United States, shall hereafter hold an
4 office in the called Confederate States
4 of America
Filthy. OF any person hereafter hold
ing an office or agency under the sO-call-
! ed Confederate States of America, or un-
( der any Of the several States Of the said
I Confederacy, or the laws thereof. whe-
/ Their such Office or agency be national.
/ state, or municipal in its name or char
ac'er: Pr0gds3, That the persons thirdly,
fourthly and dnhly above described
! shall have accepted their appointment or
election since the date Of the pretended
ordinance Of secession Of the Stale or
shall have taken an oath of allegiance to,
or 20 support the Constitution Of the so.
called Confederate States.
Sixthly. OF any person who, owning
property in any loyal State or Territory
of the United States, or in the District OF
Columbia, shall hereafter assist and give
aid aud comfort 20 such rebellion; and an
sales transfers, on conveyancos Of any
such property shall be null and void; and
il shall be snflicient bar 10 any suit
brought BY such person for the possession
or use Of such property on any OF Il, to
allege and prove that hOis one Of the per
sons describe in this section.
See. 6 and Be H. Gvtler maoisi, Thatif
any person within any State or Terrific
~ Of the United States other than those
named as aforesaid, after the passage Of