The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-05-08

The citisees have N uuG1oubsod r;sAA -
organise socaetics OF aaseciaaioas for any pus-
pose compatible with The Laws Of The oosn-
try. and ao4 inconsistaas with their oblieaA.
ions 10 tho Governmsa1 They have Slso
. . right TO keep their proceedings and t,ens.
actions concealed from the public by -
pledges Of secrssy - tAsy may dss4 prop.
er to adopt. Such pledges Of sserssy. how.
ever. do not release the members 81 s~cA
associations from their obligatiosa 10 testify
in courts of Justice. and discloss fally III
the proceedings of the associations whensvss
the purposes Of justice require such disslos-
ures 10 bA made y I 1t
Secret societies for the promotion of moral
and benevolent objects exist ~ every part
Of the country. Nor, howevesuawise cad
impoli,ic they may be. does the law prohih-
it the organization of secret societies tor the
promotions Of political or party objects not
inconsistent with the laws. "s7s'e~-~a-
But il such societies are organised for the
purpose Of resisting by force any Law Of the
United States. or hindering OF obssruosing
its execution. or for the purpose OF oppos.
ing by fosce the authority OF the Goveru.
men, of the United States, they arc unlAw-
full and criminal Il 10 alleged that part
OF the objects Of such orSauisations are
10 prevent the arrest Of deserters from the
army and to prevent the execution of the
laws provided for the increase Of the army
by DRAFT or CONSUMPTION. aud that the Nom.
bers pledge themselves by oaths to mutual
assistance and protection in the execution Of
these unlawful designs.
| These obligations are proper subject Tor
your examination. An association organis'
ed for such purposes is dangerous 10 the
peace Of the community. Those who be-
come members TO aid in carrying out by foFoe
such designs are liable to indictment as coor
spirstors under the act Of Congress Of July
81. 1861.
/ If there are citizens Of the State who
sympathize with rebels in arms against the
Government, however unpatriotic they may
be, the law provides no pauishment for their
ldisloyal sentiments. But if they seek to
give effect to such sentiments BY combina-
tons and conspiracies TO resist the laws and
oppose tho au thority OF the Government they
commit the overt acts which make them
: criminals and subject them to punishment.
1t is the duty Of every citixea to yield 0ee-
| dience to the laws, whatever may be his o.
pinion Of their propriety or expediency.-
t Under our free institutions the bollOt box pre-
sents the legitimate means OF changing the
policy of the Government As well IS tho
officers who administer it. 49,. 49, ~ ..rf
! The people Of this State have. 90 far, hap
PLY escaped the horrors Of the conflict
which has desolated SO large portion of the
country. They can continue to enjoy This
exemption only so long as they respect the
} authority Of the Government and yield obe.
dience to the laws. Any attempt - resist
the execution Of the laws must necessarily
endanger the peace OF the community. and
may bring upon US all the calamities of civ,
II war. pfats,r
Opposition to the Government can assume
no form more dangerous than that Of secret
organizations formed to obstrpct the execu-
ton of the laws. II there ara such organis'
atoms in the State. there exteat and the
. specific object they have in view should b
made known to the public, It i your Prov
ince. gentlemen Of the Grand Jury, 70 make
such Investigations As viii develop their
true character, and present for trial such
persons - you may b satisfied, from legal
evidence. have oonspired ,togsther. other
through the fundamentally Of secret organ
isations or in any other mode. % oppose by
force the authority Of the Government Of
/ the United States. s-.
| y