The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-06-19

the laws, but for their own protection, have
io,e sSarded their discourses with st phrases
that there must be no violence. or resistance
to the laws. Such men are cowardly and
treacherous, as they exhort others 10 do
what they are unwilling to dc themselves,
and seek TO put their advice in form for
which they will nat be held respon,ible. =
The snbterfuge will rot av4 all against the
provisions Of the section I am CONSIDERING. 2.
The Legislature of Indiana, at the extra
session. in 1861. passed. an act to de6na
certain frlopines and provide for the pun
shment OF persons guilty thereof" Ap-
proved MAY 9,h the lst section of that
act reads as fellows:
"SEc. l. Be 1t enacted by the General
Asembly Of the State Of Indiana. That
any pArson or persons belonging to or resi-
ding within this State, or under the protec
ton of its laws, who shall take or accept q
commission or commissions from any per-
son or persons. State or States. or other en-
emies of this Stale, or of the United States,
for the purpose Of joining or commanding
any army or band Of men hostile to, or in
rebellion against this State, or the United
States. by joining their armies. or by enlist
ing or procuring or persuading others to en-
list for that purpose, or by furnishing such
enemies or persons in rebellion with arms
or ammunition. OF provisions. or any other
articles Tor their aid or comfort, or by ship
ping. sending, or carrying to such enemies.
or rebels, or their agents. any arms. athmu-
nition or provisions. or other articles for
their aid or comfort, or by carrying on a
,raitorous correspondence with them or
shall form or be IN any cise concerned IA
forming any combination or pint or conspi-
racy for 6,troying this State. or the United
States. or the armed forces Of either. into
the Aaaeis or po4oer Of any foreign enemy
men. engaged an resisting Tie ia,Us or az.
fhoray Of hhe Government Of he United
.Sfates of Amertc4. or shall give or send
any Intelligence to any such enemies or
pr-ten led government. or their forces. for
sh all, upon conviction thereof, he imprison-
ed ia the stale prison for term not less
IN N two nor more than twenty ore years,
and be hned a sun not exceeding ten thous
and dollars
Thi. section is very broad in its charac
ter. and comprehends all organiz ,tions hsv
ng Tor their purpose resistance t, any of
hs laws Of the u ited Sta.es, or which are
Intended to weaken the power of the Gov.
'rnmens. and disable it from suppressin,
he rebelion---'hus giving aid AMI comfort
o our enemies. 1t having been enacted
oy the Legislature of the State. it is esp-c
ally commended to the consideration of
such persons as are tainted with the danger
ous heresy that their allegiance is due to the
State and not To the United States.
The offences defined and punished in the
| havo nnntuI D.. a. l.,
1t treason. aud the guilt OF the accused
witness. or by circumstantial evidence, as in
criminal prosecutions.
Ii will be my purpose in The future. as in
he past. to do ms whole duty to the Gov
,rnment of the United States and the peo-
Die OF Indiana In the administration of
he law. and the performance of official du-
les. r. cognz- no parties.
All who obey the laws, keep the peace
md discharge their duties as citizens, are
like entitle ! to and will receive protection
II person and property. The alarm wtich
ome are attempting TO create of the i'm
proper Interference of the military authori.
les. may be dismissed as without founda.
ion.
The right of the people peaceably to as
emble and petition for a redress Of griev-
Inces, and speak and publish their opinions
ouchng the policy OF the Government, or
he conduct Of the war, must be respec ed,
md the enjoyment of it protected. But
here is wide difference between the le-
Ultima, exercise OF this right and tina, un.
'ridled license of speech which seeks by
he assertion of the most atrocious false.
FOODS. to exasperate the people to madness
mi drive them into position of neutrality
'etween their Government and The rebels.
tot into The very arms cf the rebellion,
combine them in dangerous societies, pro-
'oke them 10 resist the laws, and thus con-
rbute directly to weaken our own Govern
nent aod strengthen the cause of The enc
ny.
the criticism Of one who is friendly to
he Government, and Who is anxious that il
hall succeed and be preserved, and who
,oints out its errors in order that they NAV
,e corrected. is wholly different from that
leuunciation which seeks to bring the Gov
into contemp, and render it odious
0 The people. iher-by withdrawing from il
3 life. when struggling in battle with a
enemy. The one can never be
ni,,aken for the other. Il Imust be borne
q mind that the exercise OF The pl.inest
go pawn 80 pc greatly
led BY surrounding circumstances tina,
> hat may be proper or Innocent and harm
es> at one time may be dangerous and Grim
nal at ano her
To advocate the right OF secession and
ebelinn, or the dis -oiution of our Govern.
nent. mi ght be harmless eeouyh 10 tine OF
II ofound pesc-. but WHEN the country i.ea.
,aged in a desperate civil war, which is con-
uminy the best blood and treasure Of The
,arion. and the misfortune of arms miyht
within a lew days bring the enemy upn
he soil of our State. viii j, be conten.ed
hat the privilege Of free speech gives the
igh, 10 advocate the rebellion, resistsnca,o
,ur own Government. or the aban, ,,onmen.
Il it - its enemies! THIS, which Is i,Ie
alk in time Of peace may become aid anl
omfurt TO the enemy" and punish.bIe bv
he laws of the land when tha, enemy IA a,
'ur doors.
Let me exhort :he people TO moderation
nd submission to the laws. and l.y,py ssids
heir r-sen,ments and prejud.ces. to take
nunsel only of their duties and the danger.
which threaten the nxiion and while ~.
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