Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-09-25
JUDGE rIsnrn on rRrAsoN.

AT the opening of the special term of the
Criminal Court at Washington, on Tuesday,
Judge FISHER delivered an able charge to
the Grand Jury, in which he defined treason
to be the highest crime known to the law
and urged upon the Grand Inquest the ex-
ercise of the utmost diligence in bringing to
punishment the scoundres who, Judas-like,
would betray their Country ard sell its
dearest interests to the common foe. The
following is IN extract from the Judges
charge;
The readiness with which you have each taken
the oath Of loyalty prescribed by the act of June
II, le62, leads ne to rely, gentlemen, with full
confidence aud faith upon your determination to
lring 10 condigu punishment, so far as you can,
any traitor, il there shall be any in our midst
who has, by his acts and conduct, made himself
obnoxious TO tue provisions OF those statutes
which have heen enacted for the punishment of
treason, the highest cri he known to the law
Treason is properly and justly denomiuated
the chief of crimes, because it a ways if perpe-
trated, involves in it wholesale murder, aud al
most every other crime in the criminal calendar
The present rebellion is an instance of it, 1t is
the most wicked and caUseless rebellion the
world has ever witnessed In an address made
by Mr. a. II. Stephens, the now, SO o.called, Vice
President Of the so-caled Confederate States.
before the Convention Of Georgia, which nrrayed
that State in hostility to the Union, he demanded
to know Of that body Of traitors what reason
they would give to the nations Of the earth To
justify their act Of secession. 'What right, 4" he
asks, " has the North assaled? What interest
Of the South has been invaded What Justice
has been denied Aud what claim founded in
justice and right has been withheld? Can either
uf you To-day, name one Governmental act of
wrong deliberately and purposely done by the
Government at Washington OF which the South
has right to complin 1 challenge the answer
When we have asked that more territory should
be added, that we might spread the institution
of slavery, have they not yielded TO our demands
in giving US Louisiana, Florida, and Texas, out
of which four States have been carved, and
ample territory for moro to be added in due
time?
But again, gentlemen, what are we to make
by this proposed change Of our relations to the
Government? We were always in the centre of
It, aud can be yet if we remain in it, and are
united as we were before. Now, for you to at-
tempt to overthrow such Government as this
under which we have lived for more than three.
quarters Of n century in which we have gained
cur wealth, our standing a nation our domes.
tic safety, while the elements of peril are around
us, with peace and tranquility accompanied
with uub9undei prosperity, and rights unassail-
able, is the hei lit Of maiuess, folly, and wicked
ness, to which eau nei'Ler lend my sanction or
my vote"
And yet he did it, l agree, and, doubtless,
you, gentlemen, also do, with all that Mr.. Ste
phens said upon that occasion, and believing with
MN TINT the rebellion on the part of the South
IS Tue height Of madness, folly and wickelness.
II Is your iuiy, as vel as mine, TO do all in our
power to ferret out those wicked men in tbis
loyal community who have in anywise male
themselves responsible by their acts for this mis-
ehie'. such III may Lc less wicked less low
less mean than thai arch hypocrite who BETRAYED
his Lord a1i Master for thirty pieces Of silver
but Ye'y much doubt if the occasion we're pre,
scented, Il these men wculd uot out Judas Judas
himself, Therenre a number of acts of Con1ras.
gentleman, which it is my duty to give van In
charge list of these, with the acts thenselye.