, 1862-01-16
Is TREASON ETHT !

1Heit Is 4o SlcateT C1int l1aH fGFOil
from just authority, and no guilt deeper and |
blacker than the guilt Of treason to mild
aud good Government The opinion Of ali
mcn in every age, and the voice Of Heaven
itself: unite in atfxing to such guilt and
crime the scverest penalties and most last
ing inf;lmy- And yet for various reasons,
growing out Of our larger liberties, the as
serted sovereignty Of individual States, and
the persistent and able advocacy Of seces
sion theories and practices through many
years by ambitious and designing men, the
judgment Of too many has been misicd, and
their eyes blinded to the dark and wicked
nature Of this great rebellion.
There has been from the beginning of
this conspiracy, and exists now in too many
minds, readiness TO regard the whole
matter Of secession, as only one more phase
Of Popular Government; new mode Of
changing rulers; somewhat more expen-
slyc and dangerous than the modes hitherto
III use, but none the less in accordance with
the fundamental principles Of our institu-
tions, and eTe1y way right and proper.
Many seem TO regard it as simply new
kind Of political campaign, with two par
ties struggling as usual for power, and the
contest being carried On by armed instead
of unarmed citizens, and to be decided by
the bullet instead Of the ballot. To men
with these views there is no treason and no
guilt in the principles or conduct Of these
Southern leaders and their men. If they
should fail in their plans and be defeated
they should always be treated as mer
who have been contending nobly
and bravcly for what they thought jus,ics
and honor. They have only substituted
in politics Il conspiracy for q CAUCUS tn
machinery Of an army for that Of party
and when overcome they are to be left a
I'll the end Of every political campaign, Sc
cure in lives and property, guarded and pre-
served in a]1 constitutional rights the sam
as other good citizens; and indeed it woulf
not be unwise 10 show them rather NOR
favor, treat them with marked indulgence
and q somewhat partial Kindness, that som
few prejudiccs they seem 10 have, anu som
slight GowaTdness, may be subdued an
forever removed
And even while the great conflict is goin
on, and they to insure success stop at n
atrocity, and recoil from no crime, yet it
better not to strike them too hard blows
NC had best do all gently, for otherwise n
might rouse their passions; might do ther
injuries they could never forget or forgive
might breed IN their loving hearts feeling
Of hate and revenge; and all this bein
done, how could we ever live together agai
in peace and harmony? How could the
lion ever lie down with our lamb:
It might nevertheless be well for all wi
think thus to consider for moment whet
CT rebellious power that strikes with 3
its force at the Nations life; that drives bat
every friendly advance with scorn and hat
that rejects all fair offers with contem
and derision; that breaks in pieces ri
wild joy the bonds Of union; and fin
back in your faces i'll the rights and guar
Of your Constitution, and will none
them; whether such foe in such temp
is to be wooed with soft speeches, won ba
By kind treatment, and bound again to ol
dience and loyalty By shken cords Of loy
or, whether it must not be beaten une
with an iron rod, seized and overcome
The armed and resistless hand Of power.
1t is also we'll not 10 forget that rebeili
is crime, and treason guilt Of the deep
dye. That crime must bc seized and g
must be punished And yet they who Ii
the scales and bear the sword, instead
making tie law terror, and Justice
avenger against these rebels, seem to
backward IN taking their property or c.
de1nning their lives. The.e stand
entrenched traitors, strong in arms :
inso1ent in defiance; and here lie
defenders Of the Nation, invincible in
righteousness Of their cause, but find
will or no means to smite down and fr
pie under foot the wicked and defiant
But heart and strength arc found TO b
ami pray treason may see the error Of
way and repent; rebellion may be
rerted and do better; crime and guilt
fess and be forgiven; and in the meant
let il be our pleasing duty to see that I
do to themselves as little harm as may
go out Of our way to do them some 1