The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-09-03

should be taught to understand the length and
breadth, the depth and heighth of treason.
An individual occupying the highest position
among u.s. was lifted to that position by the
nee ne offering Of the American peeple,the high
est position on the habitable globe. This man
we have seen, revered and loved; one who if
he erred at all, erred ever on the side of Glenn
ency and mercy; that man we have seen trea-
son strike through a fitting instrument; and
we have beheld him fall like bright star fall
ing from its sphere.
Now there is none but would say. if the
question came up what should be done with
the individual who assassinated the chief mag
1strate of nation-he is but man. one man
after all;-but if asked what should be done
with the assassin, what should be the penalty,
the forfeit exacted, I know what response
dwells in every BOSOM 1t is that he should
pay the forfeit with his life. A7ad hence aoe see
that there are times aUher mercy and clemency
With0ut Justice become crime. The oae
saould temper the other and bring about the
proper mean" -.-t,-f g..
Further on in the same speech he said:
Surely the Constitution sufficiently defines
treason. 1t consists in levying war against the
United States and in giving their enemies aid
and comfort. With this definition it requires
the exercise of no great acumen to ascertain
who are traitors. 1t requires no great percep-
ton to tell us who have levied war against the
United States, nor does it require any great
w
aid to the enemies of the United States. And
when the Government of the United States
does ascertain who are the conscious and intel
hgent traitors, the penalty and forfeit should be
paid.
! know how to appreciate the condition of
being driven from ones home. can sympa-
thlze with him whose all has been taken from
him; with him who has been denied the place
that gave his children birth; but let u.s. wfthal.
In the restoration of true government, proceed
otolx1 nd md No., \
pray that the time will come, as believe when
we all can return and remain at our homes, and
TREASON AND TRAITORS BE DRIVEN FROM OUR
LAND; [applause;] when again law and order
shrll reign, and the banner of our country be
unfurled over every inch of territory within the
area of the United States.
To ali these sentiments we have long since
subscribed. fit has happened, by some chance,
that the honored statesman who uttered them,
and who was admired and loved by the people for
his single hearted devotion to the cause of lib
berty and freedom, has changed his opinions
and now holds position antagonistic to that of
the people who elected him to the high position
which he occupies, it is no fault of ours. II
he chooses to issue pardons before conviction,
to notorious rebels, in order that they may oc-
cupy seats in state conventions and legislatures
and act as governors Of reconstructed states, if
he chooses to recognise General Humphreys Of
the rebel army as Governor of Mississippi, Col.
Munroe of the rebel army as Mayor of New Or
leans, Alexander H. Stephens as Senator elect
from Georgia-all unpardoned at the time Of
their election-and unrepentant up to the pres
ent moment-we cannot see how that affects
the position of the great Union Republican
Party which, accidentally, although constitu-
tionally, elected Andrew johnson to the posi-
ton which he now holds. Our soldiers who
went to the battle field, our sailors who braved
the dangers of the seas, our citizens who con-
tributed money, and our noble women who
furnished innumerable camps and hospital.
with comforts and Injuries and went them
selves to attend the sick and the wounded =
all were impelled by the same idea, that s'trea
son is crime, the highest known under thu
Constitution of the United States" and tina
those who had undertaken to destroy this gov
eminent should suffer the highest penalty
known to the law. So said Andrew johnson
SO say we all.