The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-05-10
aaasing State Republican.
Mob Violence.

GAUft--tl LAfAA EAe--.4--@NAyH - ~AN So
eliminating action Of the rebels-the MUIR
der Of the President, and the intended muir
der Of the principal official men Of the IA
ton. Thus. in New Orleans, several per
sons were killed in the streets: in New
Yorkcl,y, many were chased by the mob,
and rescued by the police only 10 be sell,
10 the peniteniiary Tor SIX months: 10 some
places they have been crowded overheard
from vessels aud IN Battle Creek two per-
sons we're seized By the crowd and compel
ed 70 take the oath Of allegiance publicly
On their knees. In Grand Ledge, We are
Informed that Arthur Patterson, 4 lawyer,
bet $50 with one person. and ten sheep with
another. On tie truth Of the report thai
Lincoln was assas,inated, and ii il proved
10 he true be offered TO give 500 and
would pay FIVE dollars for powder 70 cele-
brate the joyful occasion by Tie firing OF
cannon. The citizens Of both parties were
50 offended BY these demonstrations oil dis
loyalty, that they assembled and egged him
till he pleaded fOr mercy.
Now. what are We u think of Instances
OF violence thus ia hundreds, perhaps in
thousands Of cases, perpetraied all
over The loyal States, Are they RICH,
Are they proper, Are they sucn as good
citizens can justify approve aud parl.c.-
pate in? This question comes home D.
every candid and patriotic person, and de-
mands a sober and well con.idercd reply.
We have not time Ut space for extended
discussion, and are aware that public opin-
ion Is not in a iavorab state Tor candid
examination Of the subject, but we vii
throw out few thoughts a. they occur 10
Us.
l. The right Of :ull. free unrestricted ex-
preston Of thought and opinion is claimed
under free government, aud Jefferson is
quoted as saying. with much truth thai
terror is not dangerous when truth is lel
free 10 combat H." We receive this as q |
great general truth, but ike most others. |
II must be received with some limitations. |
The right 10 talk what we think, or what we /
please is a natural right, and each Of Us /
insists on its exercise in our own case.
But how large are the limitations which
are imposed on this right in every civilized
nation. man IS everywhere allowed 10
think as much blasphemy, profanity, Oh
scenity, SANDER, fraud aud perjury az he
pleases. and no law calls him to account
for the crimes which may rankle in his
heart, until he clothes them in words 10 the
injury Of others. Theu the law limits his
freedom OF speech by declaring such uses
OF il criminal So Of other descriptions OF
crime He who uses his free speech To
persuade or incite others 10 the Commission
Of crime Is justly held partcipator 10 the
crime which follows his persuasion rhns
by act OF Congress of 1862. he who incites
rebellion in others, Is punished in the same
manner - he who actually takes arms
against the government. In England, and
in most or all foreign countries, speaking
against the sovereign words calculated 10
bring him into contempt and hatred is &C
counted and punished rs high crime. We
see from these instances. and from The leg
iSlatiOn OF civilized nations for thousands
OF years, that the expression OF criminal
thoughts. where they work injury to sOci-
ETY.. has been very properly prohibited 10y
appropriate penalties.
?. What limitation, il any, should be
made 10 the free expression Of opinions re-
speeding treason, rebellion, and The over
throw OF our Government? The COnslitu-
ton defines treason As consisting '-ONLY in .
levying war against the United States. OF 4
In adhering 10 their enemies, giving them
aid aud comfort" And il further declares
that no person shall he convicted Of trea- :
son unless on the testimony OF two witnes- &
ses 10 the same orert act. or on confession q
in open court" These provisions seem to
imply very clearly that mere words spoken. ,
however traitOrous unaccOmpanied 10y any {
overt act, DO not constitute legal treason. c
This is what the opponents OF tie rebellion :
among US have always claimed. and We
think correctly. We suppose that if one OF
our own citizens should address a crowd 2
from the steps Of the Capitol justifying the
rebellion in foil, ami urging his hearers 10
join jeff. Davis with arms against the Gov =
eminent, he would not be legally liable for D
treason, nor for any other violation OF law %
except that the act OF 1852 would make him
liable Tor melting to rebellion. Our fathers !.
were very careful about constituting pOhti- e.
cal offences; hut the late Congress showed =
their good sense in making the unarmed d
rebel orator equally liable with the armed =
soldier whom he persuades 10 rebel But
what ought 10 be done in reference 10 ex-
pressions OF joy and satisfaction al the past G.
success Of the rebels and OF hope for their s.
future triumph When ell zen declares
publicly. Il hope TO God that every man Il
that eniists and goes 10 Richmond as a SOL :
der will get shot. aud that not one of those ~
now there will live 10 come home il CRATES n,
harshly on the ears Of his next neighbOr. N
whose son, perhaps. lies buried on the bat AZ
tie field in sight OF that city, having gone :,
there At The call of his country. and on 9TH Al
ers whose dearest ones are liable 10 be bur dl
led in similar grave. These persons feel sc
outraged 10y such expressions. and insist -
either that the man shall 60 South among h,
bis brother traitors, or that he shall cease te
such expressions OF hatred and ScOrn 10 his aU
neighbors merely because they are in their oI
service. defending has rights and 60
interests So. as in the case reported al Of
Grand Ledge, where an intelligent citizen ha
IS so reloiced al the success OF treason and
murder that he offers 10 pay money and fire
The cannon Tor Iubic jubilee is il alta DC
strange that his nelghbors. who love their an
country, and perhaps have lost their dear ia
est friends for lis defence, should feel az
deeply indignant at tie public insult t. u
them and the nation. But there is now no an
law against any reasonable expressions IS
whatever, if they DO not incite to rebellion he
aud so his neighbors take his punishment
into their own hands IN
). Now our position is against mob law - -.
In al lis forms. MobS are never justlnable hi
where there IS an organized, lawful. active OR