Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1863-10-16
A Question for the Loyal Nen Of the
next Legislature.

How far The treason Of the northern Cop
fe-heads shcsld b. tolerated NAV perhaps
be a difscult question % solve. We make
this remark in view q al the collateral mat
tiers. directly and Indirectly connected with
it. for As a mere abstract question. tlserr
cannot, among truly loyal men. be any diE
ference OF opIniOa- IL j. nov very clear
than the ieniency Of the general Government
towards these men in the early stages ofthe
rebellion has been al that has saved them
from cOndign punishment. Thousands 81
heartless Williams in the north. before las
time, II thcy hal had their Just deserts
would have been tired and hung for treason
and bad this course been taken, Ne arr not
sure q would not have been better for the
country. But tins Is not the particular
point % which ne now desire 20 call the at
tention q the patriots Of Maine. In the
next House ofRepresentativcs Of this STATE.
certain men vii offer credentials and ask
20 be admitted as meuabcrs whose TREASON
is as deep and damnable a. vas that Of
Benedict Arnold y prof upea ,.ss paiz,
- - - - 49, ~ e. -rk n - o. an
who in public and in private. las Tor months
abused has government IN language 50 d.
rect that Il can admit % no doubtful con
struction-deolarins among other thinrs.
that a. between the administrations Of Al
rahAm Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. he pre-
fers that Of DAVIS; j. e. man 90 sat in the
Legislature Of his State 70 help make laws
for as Pcoplcs Upon such nan an oath
20 support the constitution Of The United
States. and ofthis State viii sii With an in
fnitc looseness.
10 vii Be- liisle better than adding perjury
20 treason. II Il Is said that the people Of
a town have a right 20 elect traitor % the
Legislature and that closes the question. Ne
would reply that the constitution OF tbs
State does not leave the gucstiou;hus. Br
this fundamental law Of Maine each
House for itself finally settles az questions
relating 20 the night Of members 70 their
seats and from such decision there j. no
appeal Suppose town should elect an
unnaiuraiized person % the House % Rep
reseutatIves. no one Nil contend thai Lc
could hold has seat under our constitution.
Surprising the rebel John Morgan should
get out Of the Ohio PcRiteniiary and should
turn up IN some town IN Maine and thai
town should elect him % the Legislature.
would u be contendcd that Le shoul H.
allowed % retain a scat in lecislaturc %
loyal men: And how much better !.
traitor who lives in the State % Name.
than one who lives IN Kcntucky or any 9TH
er southern >taics How much better arr
Northern traitors. Who have not the c9u--
Age % 20 down and join their friends In
rebellion, but sneak around IN the fr-e
States. intriguing against their govern
ment and throsing every obstacle IN their
power in the way Of the suppression Of the
rebellion. than soufirrr f-aifo-. g.. .-...
The power OF expulsion from legislative
body rests With that BODY in al eases. In.
Journals OF legislative bodies on this coun-
try arr full d preccdcnts upon this point
We MI notice two or three cases. Mafti-
son. member Of the national House 81
kePressntatives from New York vas .x-
PEELED IRON she House ia the 3gfh Conr-,..
for couuPtiy oonsPiring ~iih lobby agent.
60 procure the passage ct biiis Co swin,lle
money out 81 The national treasury. Col
Orr u Soaih Carolina. since SPEAKER q
the House Of Eeprcscniatises. and nov
rebel. led q against Maitison. Ce,e-al
Clark Of Missouri (of Helper Book notari-
ETY. Vas expelled from the last House q
Representative on a single resolution 81
ting forth thar be- had been acting with ,b,
rebeis sgains; the government.
Bot still stronger case b. that ~ senator
Bright q Indiana "a free State) who VA.
expelled from the senate o. fhe United
States solely on account of his dislovaIfv
bot We have no time o. org-ts THE question.
neither vas il our intention o. d. more
than simply cal attention % the matter
Ihe question whether traitors shall D. a.
bowed % disgrace orr next state I.e-isis-
turc by beng permitted o. occupy seat. in
the same. b. ar important one. Maine has
shown her Unconditional LOYALTY o. the gov
eminent in tte recent state elertian. Ietret
her leyalty be put iu jeopardy hy sliovin-
'rai'ors fo participate in making laws for
her people.