Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-06-03
TREASON E1GPHAs1zED AS A

When doubt has been expressed as to
the firm, ret1ibutive disposition OF Presi-
dent johnson in his prospective action TO-
ward the chiefs Of the rebellion, we have
wondered If the doubters, If truly skepa-
cal on the point assumed, ever read the
declarations or rather definitions crown
ing treason, and the moral, turpitude OF
those who commit the deeds that are &C.
knowledged to constitute this otfense
against a regularly constituted govern
ment. The right Of the people to rs10'".
tionis. is easily COMPOUNDED and confused
by the specious and plausible preachers OF
characterization, with the most inexcusa-
BILE and cruel OF rebellious operations
The minds Of the masses being once I'M
pressed with prejudice against the estao'
lished institutions Of q country. the argu-
ment for an uprising and attempted over
throw proceeds upon high grounds The
deductions Of Davis & Co. were made IN
moral tone as fine as the diction was
elegant. Granted the premises, and the
advice and exhortation is commended to
and approved by the consciences OF the
really enlightened and fair minded. IKE
sistance to Tyranny" is q glorious motto
il be inscribed on banners for a war of
instruction in a country obviously ruled
by the hand Of rapacity. The majority
Of the people Of the South were not, in
our opinion, deluded by the plea of Davis
& Co., but that many Of them were COM
pletely blinded with the idea Of = second
righteous revolution we all know and con-
cede. And that which most contributed
to the deceiving and consequent firing
of the hearts Of portion Of the South
ern population was the stand for treason
by the Democracy OF the North. To
man Of average capacity and informa-
ton, who had never moved from his
native Southern State, it would naturally
seem convincing proof Of the justice ofthe
cause Of the Confederacy-the endorse
ment of its Inauguration by leading poll
ticians and journals, backed by large
"party in the Northern States. And
1t is not the rebellious action Of so great a
body Of persons as the Government has
had to contend with, that has smoothed
down, in popular acceptation, the senti-
ment Of adherence for the acts Of trea-
son. The Democrats OF the North virtu-
ally put treason in their platform as an &C.
tual virtue, and flung the incense OF their
adoring speech into the noStrils Of this
monster OF civil strife. When we look
for strong and sufficient expressions as to
the character Of this crime, we can 90 no
where with such satisfaction as to the
speeches Of Andy Johnson. On the sur
render by Lee, the present Chief Executive
was serenaded in Washington City, and
in his remarks on that occasion he said:
Treason is the hghest crime knotcn IN
| the catalogue of crimes and for him that is
guilty of it-for him that is willing to lit his
impious hand against the authority OF the
Nation-I would say death is too easy pun
ishment. Ny notion 10 that treason must be
made odious, that traitors must be punished
and impoverished, their social power broken,
though they must be made to feel the penalty
Of their crimes. Hence say this-the halter
to intelligent, influential traitors. But TO the
honest boy, to the deluded man, who has
been deceived into the rebel ranks, would
extend leniency. would say return to your
allegiance, renew your support to the Gov
eminent and become good citizen, but the
leaders I would hang. I hold, too, that
wealthy traitors should be made to remuner-
ate those men who have suffered IS q conse-
quence Of their crimes. Union men who
have lost their property, who have been driv-
en- from their homes beggars and wanderers
among strangers. 1t il well to talk about
things here to-day, in addressing the well in
formed persons who compose this audience.
You can, to a very great extent, aid in mould.
| ing public opinion, and in giving it proper
direction. Let US commence the work. We
haze put doton these traitors IN arms let us
put them dotcn IN lao, IN public judgment,
| and in the morals ofthe Uorld."