Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-05-13

| serves hlgh crimes, ana those so uniting or
combining. may, even without the commits
sion of any overt act, be indicted for con-
spiracy, and if resistance by force occurs, the
parties so resisting are guilty of high treason.
You are doubtless aware that one branch Of
the definition of high treason, as declared in
the federal constitution, consists in levying
war against the United States. And Judge
Grier has decided, in the circuit court, in
strict conformity with the decisions of nearly
| all of the United States Supreme Judges, that
| levyng war against the United States is not ne
oessariiy to be judged of alone by the number
and array of troops, but there must be a conspi
racy to resist by force and an actual resistance
by force of arms, or intimidation by numbers.
The conspiracy, and the insurrection con-
nected with it, must be to effect something of
public nature, to overthrow the government,
or TO nsiiify some iap of the United STATES, and
totally TO hinder its erecution, or compel its re-
! peal. Another learned judge, in conformity
with all the authorities, declares sslevying war
embraces not merely the act of formal or de-
clared war, but any combination forciby to
prevent or oppose the enforcem ent of any pro-
vision of the constitution, or Of a public stat
nte, if accompanied or .follorsd by an act Of for
! cib.e opposition in pursuance Of such combine
fion.'' Not only those who use the force
guilty of high treason, but every one who
counsels or encourages the act becomes prin-
cipal traitor, for in treason all are principals.
This crime, by the laws of the United States,
is very properly punished with death, for il is
the highest offence which any citizen can COM
NIT against the government of his country
the endeavOr to destroy it. The public speak
ers, and editors or writer's for newspapers, who
SO fippantly advise resistance to the laws, can
certainly but little reflect on their actions.
Should those whom they address, take them
at their word and resort to forcible resist
ancs, not only would the advised, but the ad-
wiser, be involved in one common ruin. All
would forfeit their lives to the offended laws
of their country.
If the Government has in times past lightly
overlooked such rawlings, it was because it
felt strong and secure, but at time like this,
when the struggle is for national existence,
words become things, and evil counsel cannot
be lightly overlooked, or mildly dealt with,
and should it lead to unlawful resistance, will
probably be punished in proportion to its de-
merits.
It sometimes happens that provost marshals
or their guards, meet with resistance when en-
deavoring to compel drafted militiamen or de-
serters from the army to attend at the places
of rendezvous. Those making it must bear
in mind that their resistance is unlawful. The
officer or his guard come under the shelter OF |
legal authority. If those making the resis |
tance killed, it is Justifable. If the Of |
fcer, any aiding him, slain, it is MUIR
der in all concerned in making the opposition.
II is very confidently asserted that socie- |
ties have been formed in many parts of this as
well sother States, calling themselves |
sSKnights OF the Golden Circle,'' the object |
of which is to overturn and destroy the Gov
ernment of the United States, and assist the
southern confederacy in its rebellion. l do
not pretend to know whether any such socie-
ties have an existence in our county, or if
they do exist, whether it is for any improper
or illegal object. They may, for aught l
know, be as innocent as sssewing circle" or
q s.reading club" but if formed for any ille-
gal purpose they should be broken up by the
ed and if any of our citizens have been so
imprudent as TO connect themselves with such
We counsel and urge them to sew
er the connection without delay else they may
find themselves involved in that which may
lead to their ruin. Every combination of men,
for any unlawful purpose, is a conspiracy land
may subject the conspirator to Imprisonment
in the penitentIary. 1t is offence against
the laws of the Commonwealth, triable in the
State courts, and if the grand jury, or any
member Of that body, know of the existence
of such societies in this county, it is their
bounded duty to present them. The bare en-
tering into such combination, as above stated,
is conspiracy, and if any act of violence is
by those combining, ifdone by the
action Of the numbers, ,and the display of arms,
aud for the purpose of resisting any law of
the United States, it is high treason. 1 men
tion this as caution to the honest and we'll
disposed citizen who is sometimes Induced to
Join societies without understanding precisely
their nature and object.
In addition to the laws of the United States
already referred to, We have a high penal stat
ute in our own State, against endeavoring to
persuade any person from entering the militia
~ service of this State or of the United
States, or being in such service. advising or
to persuade them to leave it. As
his is an offence against the State laws,if You
Know of any such acts having been commit
ed, it is your duty to present them.
There is an evil ofvery considerable magni-
uda at the present time, and of almost daily ,