Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-04-28
WHAT IS TREASON?

Treason is Of two kinds, legal and neral By the
Constiu ion of the Confederate States treason s de-
clared ITO consist only in levying ganst them or
In alhering to their enemies giving them aid and com
fort" We believe there have been comparatively few
traitors of this class in any Of the Confederate States
But We fear there moral traitors by the thousand
Moral treason consists not in acts in failure to act
but Ia words aud in feelings of tho heart. The
man whose whole heart is not with his country in this
m ghty struggle 1.-The wlo s physically able to
bear arms but skulls aud hides himself asay in some
Oommisary, Qlartermlster Tax Collector and Asses-
sOrs Office, clerk hips Of all and every kind, while
thousands no. able than himself and not hur-
dredth part pecuoariy) much interested 10 the
Geld, sacrificing their alth and their lives in the de-
fence of his property: The who is in The habit Of
e1tor.iDg from the women and children OF the men
who are. defending him and his, while en-
gagged. in this nefanous business The man who
by word or act discourages his neighbors or atemp
to- lessen their confidence in our success Toe man
who r4des himself encourages others trade with
our corrupt and vandal enemy for any article mat
ter how cessary he may consider it his comfort
how o6tkb!e such Traffic may be: The who thinks
for moment of laying down our until iDde-
pendence IL acknowledged: the man who enteItaiDs
the hop countenances in the least degree by word
or act the idea Of reconstruction Of the Union The
man who refues to cell provisions to the army st
reasonable prices: The man who has for mon hs
avoided the jbors aud dangers OF the field under the
pretence Of raising company or battalion, or regiment,
who is always going to the front, but gees The
man who secur1s "stsf appointments" end spends his
me in cling perfumiOg aud visiting: The official who
will employ an alien wide Monroe, late of Houston,
now OF New OrleausO when go many citizens need en-
ployment: The Official who because the Regulations"
allow it, keeps three horses involving the expense Of
feeding when the farmers deprived of one-fourth Of
his pillow teams and tue country drailed of corn Tee
man who, in aoy department of the goyerpm mt de-
fauds or permits be deirauded the soldier of any
portion OF his small pay poor ratons: The Who
uses his position agent TO advance his Individual
interest at the sacrifice OF tee puoic The man Wh'
having been appointed conscrp, officer aud aila TO
execute his Office with fidelity aud imp lrtiat but COL
scribss one man. aad, from Partially vorSe motives
suffers another eq ialy liable, to escapes The who
is intrustsd with the mpressment law discharges lis
duties In ar improper manner mpressiI one and IA
vorng another: The mao who leaves his laud untitled
for fear the government will take of his produce
for the use of the srmy: The man who INDUCES
10 luxury, or wastes his produce, which might feed
the families Of the poor: The man safe at home
eSertheless grumbes a and endeavors to avoid,
the piymelt of biz taxes due the government
Toe "privileged class. who by trer occu a
ton, aIe exempt and are allowed to exempt others,
t. carry en- their business, aud who exemps
mole than is needed, selects young men, wide "a i
ad conductors generality instead Of disabled or cid
men, Just as competent and far more deserving The
blockade runner who ba ely keeps his contract with
the Government buimports largely Of yankee tricks"
and West India rum. The who was a violent Sc
cessionst in 1850 who proposed to devour the 6r Eve
Yankees who touched the soil of Dixie-who was reacy
to sp | the last drop of-gas; but is now tame sub
mission ct. The who Unionist in 1860 and viii
fglt for his country, because the brought
contrary TO his judgment The who, while hsls
net able than himself, have been periling the
yes a. foruces 10 the defence of the country, hai
been engaged 10 Specializing on tie necessities Of his
neghbors and preoad0g the currency to enable him
the mole successfully to do so. And finally, the man
who would refuse TO give up all be has If demanded
for his country safety, moral traitor and will be go
considered By all patriotic men. In ths Enumeration
we may have omitted some that should have been n~
cuded. II there be any such Who in their conscences
think they have been sighted and feel that they
moral traitors, beg that they consider Themselves p
cluied. We have no aluson to any persons partcu-
sry, but il they should think SO, please let him
her that-0Hi CAN'T iILefaciE