The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-09-21
Who are Traitors?

Editor of the Rsgistsr:-In this day of our
national humiliation and disgrace, when
mans deep insult to man is half concealed
aud half exposed IN the frequent epithets
of "traitor," 1t might be we'll to ascertain,
if possible, who IS and who is not traitor.
The vitality of our Government is deriv
ed from the Constitution. That instrument
defines treason to be-''leyying War against
them (the United States) Or in adhering to
their enemies, giving them aid and comfort
Now as the Constitution is the soul of the
Government and the Government is formed
by the Union of the States, ratified by the
people, it follows, a priori, that an enemy
of the Constitution is an enemy of the
United States, and is, therefore, a traitor
1t is true that there is amongst us set of
latter day Pharisaical Unionists who de
nouuce all who do not fall down and wor-
chip the Juggernaut, Abolitionism, which
they have set up, as traitors. Yet it is also
true that such denunciations do not, neces.
ssrily, constitute every one traitor
whom these self-styled loyalists so pro-
nounce. 1t is writtenin high authority that
mot every one that saith Lord, Lord
shall enter into the kingdom And it
might be added in these days Of civil strife
that not every enc who shouteth Union!
Union is for the Union as formed by the
Constitution of our fathers.
If treason consists in ''giviug aid and
comfort to tho epemies"-the enemies of
the United States, it may we'll be ques.
toned whether treason does not better suit
the blating unconditional Un:onist who
reviles the apostles of the CONSTITUTIONS
This instrument guarantees to each State
the right to regulate its own internal affairs
10 its own way. Has the party in power
respected this Inherent right? Let the
Thousands who have suffered from the I'm.
constitutional acts Of fanatical Congress
answer. Did the President respect bis uai d
to support the Constitution, when he issued
bis proclamation of freedom to slaves ! Id
By loyal masters according to the laws of
the States and the Constitutio? Let mis- |
conscience, if he has any answer.
But the last act of the disunion drama |
has been opened. What will be the various
scenes ere the curtain drols is scarcely to
be- imagined. The writ of Aa6eas corpus, the
great palladium of liberty, forced from an
unwilling king by determined people, has
been set at naught by the Chief Executive
of Republic! After this, who shall be
called traitr2 IF the Earth was not al
ready so deeply crimsoeed with the blood
of brothers that blush could not be seen,
her cheek would be mantled with the red
blush of burning shame.
M ana inhumanity t, man
Makes countless thousands mourn
But let not the people be deceived. The
signs Of the times are ominous of mightier
evils vet to come. Lincoln, striving to ape
the coup detat Of Louis Napoleon, seems
fully determined to hold on to power, and
to unscrupulously use every means within
his tremnling grasp to accomplish his wick
ID design Rather than see the Sceptre
iepart from the king of Abolitionism, be
would behold this once proud Republic
rent in twain, and all its grand nationality
pass forever like that of Carthage,
eli nm.ring through he dreams Of things tat
were.'
He fancies himself e demi-god, and that
lis proclamation; like cop)uror's wand,
an change the relation of things as they
nay wish. But the strange faulty by
which he seems to be guided may prove an
gaus DEMONSTRATING him into ruin and
atal difficulties, from which it may require =
omsthing more powerful than gratuitous ,
to extricate himself
This is the peoples Government, and ,
be people will not always forbear This
Union was purchased by the blood Of patri.
ts, and by the blood Of patriots it must DE
reserved if preserved at ALL To preserve a
nus cannot be treason. The sense Of
American freemen can never set supinely l.
nd sec those who have sworn to protect i
nd preserve the Union, destroy it for
olitical party purpose. Treason may yet Il
e determined by an ordeal more just than
sfty vindictiveness, ard its punishment's
ray be more terrible than the execratives
q SET Of quasi Union prosslytss. i.
The embryo despotism which these negro il
wing dreamers of greatness have nearly in $
abated into life, may nevr rmergs iromits, a
hysalis state. The people ofthis once grand