Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-13

lNDIANAPoLIs, May 6, 1858.
Messrs. Serton, Blake and StHreH, Committee:
GENTLEMEN: The address to the Grand Jury
was hastily written, and is very imperfect. If it
shall conduce in any degree to the formation of
a proper public sentiment, / shall be abundantly
satisfied. l transmit you two copies. Will you
be kind enough to give a copy to each OF the
morning papers. Respectfully,
D. DAVIS.
The Charge
GENTLEMEN OF THE GRAND JURY: We meet
in a time of great national peril; in the midst of
a war unexampled for its wickedness and magni-
tude, in the history of the human race. The ex
isting state of things imposes upon all new du-
ties, which must be discharged fearlessly, in view
of our responsibility to God, and the Government
which has protected Us. laws will be canvassed
the necessity for them and the right to make
them-but until they are declared invalid by com
petent judicial authority, every good citizen and
lover of his country is rnder the highest obliga
ton to obev them. and to do whatever be can, TO
give them force and vitality. Obedience to law has
always characterized US as a people. and in a juno
ture like this. when the very existence Of the ma
tionis at stake, that obedience should not be re
l~uctantly, but freely rendered. We owe ale
glance to the Government for the privileges en-
joyed. and when, for the first time in our history,
that allegiance has thrown any burdens upon us.
shall we not bear them cheerfully, and show our
selves worthy of the sacrifices made for US, and
the priceless inheritance bequeathed to US! Our
own honor; tie blood that has been shed; the
treasure that has been spent; the memories of
the past, aud the hopes of the future, dem0Rdt that
this rebellion shall be crushed. the union of these
States restored. and the authority of law recog-
nized. In order to save this Government, it is
absolutely necessary that the laws, which the
wisdom of Congress deems right and proper for
the crisis, should be faithfully observed. ODE
dience 10 law means more than a mere determi-
nation not to make open resistance. A hearty
acquiescence in the law until it is repealed, or
judicially declared Of no effect; a cheerful recOg
milton of its binding Obligation; and a willingness
to aid in enforcing il. is required alike by a com
mon patriotism and common interests. We seek
to establish the supremacy of the Government,
and to compel the unqualified submission of the
Rebels to the laws. How can we ask them to
submit, If we do not ourselves render a willing
obedience? We may. and will differ in any great
war, on the right manner of conducting it, and
the wisdom of the policy pursued, but no man
who is not a traitor at heart. will ever suffer that
difference to lead him, by speech or writing, to
counsel resistance to law.
Government must compel the obedience of in
dividuals, otherwise. who shall seek its protection
or fear its vengeance A government that
does not. or cannot enforce the execution of its
laws. ceases TO fulfill its high function. and will
receive the contempt of mankind. Misguided
men who oppose the authority of law, must
be punished. Their punishment Is due MS an ex-
ample to deter Others. Not 10 punish them, argues
great weakness. and is really a crime against
society. and good order. He, who at this period
resists the law himself, or induces others to do
80. is a dangerous enemy to his country. If law
cannot be enforced, the despotism of the mob
follows, and any tyranny is preferable to that.
Congress, in order to increase and strengthen
the armies Of the United States. has passed an
act for enrolling and calling out the national
forces. The law is a severe one, as all laws of
the kind are. The law was not made wantonly,
but in a great crisis, to meet "A great peril. The
country is entitled to the services of all her citi-
zens. when needed. and if not voluntarily given,
compulsory means must be used TO obtain them.
Our highest civil duty is 10 serve our country
when in danger. and severe laws, when necessary,
will be cheerfully obeyed, BY a patriotic people
struggling to preserve the rich blessings of a free
government. This rebellion can only be ended
by the strong arm of military power; and if the
armies already in the field are not enough, they
must be added to, and, if necessary. the power of
the cOnscrIpt law invoked. DeSertiOn is a
great crime, and it suffered to continue. will ut
terly ruin our armies in the field. 1t would be-
come infrequent, and soon cease altogether. if
bad men did not aid and encourage it. 1t IS the
manifest duty of every person who knows that II
soldier in the service of the United States has
deserted, and where he is. to give Information to
the nearest military post. And if any one, in
disregard Of his duty and in violation of law,
aids. advises, or encourages a soldier to desert;
or, knowingly harbOrS. c~onceals. assists to carry
him away, or employs him. after he has deserted.
he should be punished. A few examples would
produce the most s~alutary effects And when a
draft is ordered. if any person shall he so aban-
doned as to resist it, or counsel, or aid any person
to resist t.; or shall assault or obstruct any off
Ger in the performance of any service connected
with it, or shall counsel any one to assault or
oppose such officer: or shall advise drafted men
not to 20; or shall %wilGully dissuade them from
the performance of their military duty under the
law, such person is subject to be heavily fined and
imprisoned.
COnspiracies or combinations OF men to obstruct
the execution of the law. are mischievOus in pro
portion to the numbers engaged. They are gen
orally concealed, for those enlisted in them are
aware that their undertaking is unlawful, and will
not bear exposure Such combinations are dan.
gerous to civil liberty 10 a time of profound
peace, and pre- eminentlv so in a terrible war,
when the Government needs the sympathy, kind
Offices, and cooperation of all her citizens. 1t is
charged that there are secret organizations, in
some OF the States of this Union, with grips,
signs and passwords" having for their objects
resistance to law, and the overthrow of the Gov
eminent. IL Is hard TO conceive of so great de-
pravity and SickedneSs. but if such organizations
do exist they should be speedily overthrown, if
we would avoid future trouble and calamity. If
any where in this State bad men have combined
together for such wicked purposes, ! pray you,
bring them to light. and let them receive the pun
ishment due TO their crimes.
The heart of the patriot is sickened and hu
inflated at The discovery of the frauds and pecu
lations which have been perpetrated upon the
Government 1t is a matter of the proioundest
grief, that there are living among us, these who
are base enough to cheat the Government. when
the homes of our people are darkened 10y the hor-
rOrs of civil war, and our blood and treasure are
freely given to save the life Of the nation. The
lOathing and scorn which they deServedly re
ceive will not stop the evil. The only %effeetual
way TO do il, is to enforce the laws. Ii men Uil
cheat and defraud in a time like this, they should
feel the pressure OF the law, and be made if posi-
bic to disgorge their i'll gotten gains. If subject
to the rules and articles of war they should be
shot; if in civil life the seveTest penalties of the
law should be their portion. Treason Is the
highest crime of a civil nature that can be COM
mitted. IL strike directly at the life Of the Gov
eminent, and DESTROYS all the safeguards that the
law has ordained for the welfare Of society. Al
though il is difficult TO believe that any citizen OF
Indiana, has been guilty Of such an a%trocious
crime, vet a few general remarks on the subject
may not be inappropriate.
The trainers of the Constitution have seen fit,
in the exercise of that wisdom and forecaste which
is exhibited in all their works, to declare what
shall constitute treason. and by what testimony II
shall be proved. Treason against the United
States shall consist only in levying war against
them, or in adhering to their enemies. giving
hem aid and comfort" In only two WAYS, there