Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-06-18

as tney exhort others 70 do what they are
unwilling to do themselves, and seek to
put their advice in form for which they
will not be held responsible. The sub
terfuge viii not avail against the pro-
visions of the section am considering
The Legislature Of Indiana. at the ex-
ira session, in 1861. passed. "an act to
define. certain felonirs .anl provide for the
punishment of persons guilty thereof. -
Approved May 9th. The lst section Of
that act reads as follows: efH
"SEc. l. Be IL enacted by the General
assembly Of The. State Of Indiana. That
any person or persons belonging to or re.
siding within this State, or under the pro-
lection of its laws, who shall take or ac-
cept a commission or commissions from
any person or persons. State or States.
or other enemies of this State or Of the
United States. for the purpose of joining
or-commsndIng any army or band oil
men hostile to. or in rebellion against this
State. or the Unitcd States. or who shall
knowingly and willingly aid Or assist any
enemies in open war, or persons in re
bellion against this State or the Unit ed
States. by joining their armies. or by en-
listing or procuring or persuaiins others
to enlist for that purpose. or by furnish
ing such enemies or persons in rebellion
with arms or ammunition. or provisions.
Or any other articles for thor all or COM
fort. or by shipping. sending. or carrying
to sn III enemies. rebels. or their agents,
any arms. ammunition or provisions, or
other articles.for their all or comfort, or
by carrying ON traitornus correspond
ence with than. or shall form or be in any
wise concerned an forming any combination
or plot or. Conspiracy for Getroying this
Safe, or the United >fatcs, OF the armed
forces of euker, into The hands or pomer of
any foreign enemy, or of any organized or
pretended government engaged az resisting
the idws or authority OF the Government OF
the United STATES # dmcriro, or shall
give or send any intelligence to any snch
enemies or pretended government. or their
forces. for that purpose. every person so
offending shall. upon conviction thereof.
be imprisoned in the State prison for a
term not less than two nor moro than
twenty-one years. anil be inerl sum
not exceeding ten thousand dollars
This Section is very broad in its char
acter. anil comprehends all organic ,tions
having for their purpose resistance to
any of the laws of the United States, or
which are intended to weaken the power
of the Government, AMI disable it from
suppressing the rebellion-thus giving
all and comfort to onr enemies 1t
having been enacted by the Legislature Of
the State. it is especially commended to
the consideration of such persons as are
tainted with The dangerous hcresay tha.
their allegiance is due to the State and
not to the United States.
The offences defined and punished in
the statutes have qnoted are below the
grade OF treason. and the guilt of the ac
cnsel party may be established by one
credible witness. or by circums' antial evil
dence, as in ordinary criminal prosccu-
tions.
1t will be my purpose in The future. as
in the past. to do my who'd duty to the
Government of the United States and
the people OF Indiana. In the admins
tration OF the law. and the performance
OF official duties. recognize no parties.
All who obey the laws, keep tho
peace and discharge Their duties as eiIi-
zens, are alike entitled to and will receive
protection in person and property. Tie
alarm which some are attempting to Gre
ate of the improper interference of the
military authorities, may he dismissed as
without foundation.
The right of the people peaceal'y to
assemble and petition for. redress Of
grievances. and speak and publish their
opinions touching the policy of the Gov
eminent, or the conduct of the war. must
be respected. and the enjoyment OF it
protected. But there is wide differ
ence between tho legitimate exercise Of
this right and that unbridlel license of
speech which seeks hy the assertion OF
the most atrocious falsehoods, to exaspcr
ate the people to madness and drive them
into position of neutrality between their
Government and the rebels. If not into
the very aims Of the rebellion. combine
them in dangerous societies. provoke them
to resist the laws and thus contribute di-
rec;ly to we.Lcn our own Government
and strengthen the cause Of the enemy.
The criticism Of one who is friendly TO
the Government, and who is anxious that
it shall succeed and be preserved. and
who points out its errors in order that they
may be corrected. is wholly different from
that denunciation which seeks to bring
the Government into contempt and rem
der it odious to the people. thereby with
drawing from it its life, when struggling
in battle with a powerful enemy. The
one can never be mistaken for the other
1t must be borne in mind that the exer-
else Of the plaincst rights and privileges
may be greatly modified by surrounding
circumstances; that what may be proper
or innocent and harmless at one time may
be dangerous and criminal at onother.
To advocate the right of secession and
rebellion, or the dissolution of our Gov
eminent. nigh. be harmless enough in
time Of profound peace, but when the
country is engaged in desperate civil
war. which is consuming the best blood
and treasure of the nation, and the mis-
fortune of arms might within few days
bring the energy upon the soil of our
State, will il be contented that the privi-
lege of free speech gives the right to adj
vocate the rebellion, resistance to our
own Government. or the abandonment Of
it to its enemies? That which is idle