The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-05-10
Nv DO THEY STAND BEFORE
THE LAW!


The Copperhead Press at the COM
Fncemcnt of the war cried "no coer-
a." during the war they cried "armistice
peace" and now that the war is over
~ insist on general amnesty for their
|uthern brethren. Without reference
the terrible results of this war in the
body death of hundreds of thousands of
II citizens on the battle f I'D, in the
arved myriads Of loyal men in Souther a
'isons, in Fort Pillow massacres and 10
10 horrible assassination of the Presi-
ent, what is the constitutional and legal
snalty of the simple act of conspiracy
yalnst the Government aud levying war
pen il! We boast Of the wisdom of our
onstitusion, we r. j,ice in the general
xcelience of the lave enacted under it by
he very men who framed it. Treason is
I, e led by ibe constitution to consist in
evying war upon the United States. or
q adherihg 10 its enemies, giving them
aid and comfort. Aud the statutes pro.
|ide that persons guilty of treason shall
b. punished with death, which of cour,e
Fmay be commu,ed to imprisonment or
Punishment.
Now, it is perfectly clear that under
the constitution aud laws, the leading
canfeaeraies; both 10 civil and military
life, are guilty of treason and liable TO the
penalty thereof. And every friend of his
c1untry, every man who supports the
constitution and laws, may be xpec,ed to
stand by the constitution iu this case, just
as they did 10 support of the war. While
every secesh sympathizing Copperhead
msy be expected now TO insist on setting
aside the constitution and laws in favor
of these traitors, ,st IS they have hereto
fore denounced coercion" declared the
war failure and advocated an armis,ice.
But as they failed in carrying their prcjec,
10 successful ISSUE in those cases, so We
trust they will fail 10 this case, aud that
the constitution and the laws will be vim.
dicated in spite of their opposition.
Many of this class Of sympathisers pro.
fsss to rel ice 10 the notion that the pa.
role of the officers of Lees and Johnston I
orr,,oa shield thapn fam, tta ,,rr;s l. -
Of treason, and console themselves with
the idea that since these are secure from
the just penalty Of their crimes, like
immunity will be granted to all others
But in this they are most egregiously
stsken, for it was not the intention o
Generals to shield their paroled priso
from criminal prosecution, nor coult
l. have done it had they been so dis
"a. 1t is not in the power Of any de
tment Of the Government to set asid,
- nuilify the constitution. much less /
il within the province Of military com
mander in the field to subvert the consti
t1tion BY contract with traitors in arms
The constitution remains intact, its PRO
visions in relation TO treason have NO
been annulIed. and the due administration
of justice uoder the constitution will b
resumed as soon as the military ttatus Q
the country gives way and peace resume
its sway in the land.
When that period arrives we trust I
see General Lee. who deserted from. th
Regular Army Of the United Ssasea, II
levied war against it 10 support Of pc
ltical dogma. taught a sounder politics
faith than that which he now proclaim
Let him be taught. chief traitor that l
is. that questions of politics are to be d.
cided by the ballot in this country, "a
that he who appeals to the sword for the
decision must perish uotler the constil'
liun aud laws 90 the scsf Id.
I'll 4