Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-05-05
TREASON.

common universal definition or meaning
though it is common its nature. The ex
tent of its Specification is dependent OF
the peculiar form Of Government agains
which it may be directed, and the law.
framed for its punishment. Uunder oul
government the nature and extent o.
treason is much more circumscribed thar
in most other countries. The Constitu
ton of the United States declares thai
treason against the United States shall
consist only in lerying rar against them
or in o1lkering to their enemies, giving
them aid and comfort. In England tn,
crime is divided into high treason and
petty treason, and in other monaichia
countries it is Of a'much more extended
nature than in our country. Here but
two things can constitute treason, and the
constitution does not define the penalty
for this crime. The trainers of this con-
stitution seem to have looked upon this
crime very much as the old Roman law
givers did upon Parricide. They believ-
ing that crime so repugnan, TO nature as
to be impossible, and could not bring
their minds to believe that any human
being could be so deprayed as wilfully to
take the life of the parent.
So with the trainers of our Constitu-
ton, they seemed to have the idea that
in Democratic republic like ours it was
mex. to impossible that any one could be-
come SC vile as to attempt the overthrow
Of the Government ana Union .hey had
formed. They therefore brought the
crime to its smallest possible limits and
left the punishment 10 be determined by
Congress, but placed on such legislation
d very important restriction, TO wit tina,
mo attainder of treason shall work cor.
ruption of blood In England and 9TH
er countries, 4 person convicted of treas.
on was by the same judgement attainted
or corrupted in his blood, he could not
inherit or transmit property, he was made
infamous and his corruption and infamy
attached to his descendants, in short they
we're treated as outlaws
Our constitutional trainers believing
the crime so improbable in any citizen OF
the country would not admit the idea tha:
it could be transmitted or inherited BY
the descendants, and therefore prohibited
all acts of attainder or corruption Of RoOd.
Two acts only constitute treason agains,
the United States, lie: US now inquire
into the nature and extent of these two
things.
First levying war against the United
States; this docs not mean the declara-
ton or prosecution Of war BY foreign
nation or by persons no. residents of the
United States. Tha; one nation may de-
clare and carry on 4 war against another
without the impu:ation of treason is a
right which has always been acknowl
edged BY all nations To constitute ,rea.
son. allegiance or fealty mus, be one from
the accused to the Government asains:
which the attack is made. One govern.
ment or its subjects does ne. owe obe-
dicnce or allegiance TO another, and there
fore cannot be guilty Of treason. Treason
then can only be committed BY those re.
siding in particular country against the
government of that country. This can
be done first By leyying war which con.
sists in beginning war or taking up.arms
to resis, the authority of the lawful gov
eminent If this &C, is done by any
portion of the people Of State or of'onc
or more States, it is rcbsili0H. aud is sub.
dued by the power of the government tn,
parties are held to he traiiers and liable
70 be punished as such. Ifthe rebellion.
PARTY however succeeds in resisting oil
.cverthrowing the power os the govern
ment il is termed revelation.
The next act which constitutes t-taSoH
against the United States is ''atiAeTiag ID
skesr sa<mies" or those opposing the Unicu
authority. What is meant BY adheria9
The Constitution itself defines the mean
inx 20 be 'giving them aid AID comfort.
Aid is help. ss.eeor, sgPport aassnssisaace.
How then can man aid the enemies Of
he United States: lie can help BY en-
.eering into their ranks and fighting their
3n1aDes with them He can help or sue
- Them by giving them information Of
approaching danger and shc-ins them