Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-06-17

as expressed in another provision Of that instFa.
ment art 3, sec. 3. The act suspending the writ
of hdbeas corpus sets out with flourish OF words,
and among other declarations ii says sand whereas
the President has asked for the suspension OF the
writ and informed Congress Of conditions OF pub
lie danger which render the SUSPENSION OF the VIII
measure proper for the public defence against in
vasion and instruction" 10 the act suspending
the writ we find the following items in the bill oil
Indictment therein in number eleven, which refers
directly to treason and of which the President has
no control directly, either Judge or jury FIRST,
Of treason REASONABLE efforts or combinations 10
subvert the government Of the Confederate States.
Second, of conspiracies 20 overthrow the govern
ment or conspiTacieS to resist the lawful authority
of the Confederate States. Third, OF combinations
to assist the enemy or Of communicating lntclti:
gence tn the enemy, or giving them AID ana com
fort. Fourth, Of conspiraces, preparations ana at
temps TO ncite servile instructions Sixth, oil spies
and other emisSaricS of the enemy. Seventh, OF
holding correspondence with the enemy without
necessity and without permission of the Conteder-
ate States Ninth of eonspiracies or attempts to
liberate prisoners of war, held by the Confederate
States Tenth, of conspiracies or attempts or pre-
paratiors to aid the enemy. Eleventh, OF persons
advising or melting others to abandon the Conied-
crate cause or to resist the Confederate StateSr to
adhere to their enemies Twelfth, of unlawfully
burning, destroying or injuring or attempting 10
irjure, burn or destroy any bridge OF, railroad, or
telegraph line other property with the intent OF
aiding the enemy. Thirteenth OF ueasonaoie de-
signs to impair the military power OF the govern
ment by destroying or attempting to destroy the
vessels or arms or munitions Of war or arsenals,
founlries workshops other property OF the Con-
federate States"
But of the thirteen items embraced in the bill OF
indictment against the citizens of the Confederate
States eleven are embraced under Art B. Sec. 8 OF
the Constitution defining treason, over which Con-
greSs and the Courts have exclusive uriSdictlon-
Aud yet the law suspending the writ Of ha6eas cor
pas transfers the whole matter into the hands Of the
President IN open, palpable and gross violation oil
the Constitution which declares THAT treason
against the Confederate States consists only IN levy
ing against them, aGherIng to their enemies
and giving them aid ard comfort" And that mo
person shall be convicted Of treason unless upon
tire testimony Of two witnesses to the same overt
act, or on confession in open court, and that Con
| greSs shall have power to declare the punishment
! of treason" &C.
Now, | ask gentlemen to show me their author
ty for clothing the President and his Executive OH
GERS with such monstrous dangerous, and uncon
sttutional powers, as the act suspending the wrr
of haJcuS cOTpcS delegates to him. Sir, 1t author
lies him TO arrest at pleasure, immune in prisoJ
and put to death any citizen in the Southern Con
federGcy for treason.
In conclusion, desire to refer the whole matter
to those who have been so hot in their haste Il
serve the King, and ask them if they have not un
Willingly il fiicted mortal wound upon the Con
sttutiOn, and who at the same time declared they
representing disloyal constituency upon this
floor.