Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1866-01-13

c'eh oeipg rare phenomenon, it was ono |
to be anticipated indeed it seems 10 have
been expected by Mr.. Seward. AS in Ger,
tain sanitary conditions certain diseases
attack the body, SO, amidst wars and tu-
mults, this form of monomania seizes on |
minds 70 predisposod. In all this, how
ever dopIorablo, there is nothing astound-
ing but astounding it is that President
OF the United States should bring charge
OF completely in such crime against an
eminent American Statesman and soldier.
10 make such charge heedossly without
evidence Of tho clearest character, was 10
bring an noticeable stain upon the digni-
ty OF his Office, and the history Of his
country. L; bears the aspect of au attempt
TO asaassiaalo the reputation of defence
Ioss man. Amongst savages it is the prac-
tico to g'oat over the torturos of the de-
ieotod, to make target of the quivoring
body, and transfx it with arrows as pas.
time' Civilized nations usually treat the
victims of war with humanity, even with
generosity. The whole conduct of the
government in this matter Of the cousp-
> racy trial ia painful in the extreme the
trial of an offence wholly unconncrted
with war by court martial the compo.
sitlon OF that court Its president, its re-
porter the title tattlc received as evi-
. dcncc and beyond all, the secrecy at.
mpted carry US back to the worst usa.
ges Of the darkest times
D Jefferson Davis is now in the hands of
f his cnemics, and remains to be tried for
r treason. If he had committed this crime
!, he would then stand on level with Wash
$ ington, koesuth, Garibaldi and others,
:. hitherto the objects OF American admira.
:, ton, Can the same thing be virtue
:, when others suffer, and the blackest Of
60 crimes when it Injuries ourselves II ho
: be tried under the present excitement there
i can be little doubt as to the verdict but
a it canuot be supposed that the American
people will commit such au act as t. take
&c any mans life for simply following the cx-
n ample Of their own idolizcd hero, and ox.
erci:ing right they are all taught to
" claim-a "most stsacrod right,' as Mr.. Lin.
cola cccIarod it to be. And as Mr.. John--
IS son reierates that treason is the greatest
=" Of crimes, We are led to examine how it is
l' regarded by the Constitution of the United
'c States, Here, SO far from being thus &C.
10 counted, it is selected from all ether Of
y fences, not be stigmatzsd but to be dealt
"a with gently, aQd hcdgcd round with pro.
~ tecti0ns from eXtr0me punishment Thus
$ Art. !, Sec. Q "No bill Of attander shal
nc be passed." Art III, Sec. B., "No per-
u san shall bo convicted of treason unless OF
u the testimony of two witnesses to the same
H. overt act, Or on confession in open court
'n In Art. IL, Sec. 4, it is classed with bri
- berry aud the sixth Amendments 10 th
VI Constitution requires that the accused shal
-" - have the right TO a speedy and public tlia
y by au impartial jury Of the State and dis
GO trict wherein the crime shall have beel
&C committed Art. III, Sec. 3, ordain
Gu that "no attandar Of treason shall wor
NC corruption of blood or forfeiture, eXcep
"a during t lie life of the person attained. -
ID And if this trial is to De conducted calm
ny ly as az affair Of States the difficult tas
To- must be encountered of disproving tn
ice right Of a sovereign sStatc to withdra'
10 from its uoion with the others if any cour
ed sci dare use the argument 1t is not ger
lr orally believed in this country that such
ca right exists, but Bawlo, competent leg
me authority, Northcrner and devoted Ug
TO i0nist, asserts in his work On the Consti
zen tutiop that the right is inherent in the fec
sh' eral systcm, That the States were orig
re- nally, each Of them, free, sovereign al
OF independent power is very certain, as the
md were separately acknowledged by I'll
led country in theso terms, That their unit
no under the title of the United States
ed" not destroy the sovereignty existing sep
Fcu rately 10 each IS also certain, as It !s d
ia claycd in the Grst Constitution "Ea
ne State retains its sovereignty, freedom a
cir independence. That each State is so
the oreign under tho.iPrcscnt Constitution
ans also certain, as it has been so decided
bis several occasions by tho Supreme Court
Tor decision from which there is no appeal
y OF Now, if sovereign State cannot withdr
hero from its union with other States, there IN
mes be some power which prevents it--a pc
ma or over it, and superior to its own will.
such If so, its condition is that of inieriority
'cOTS Nsubj lection to that higher power, and the
'meS fore cannot be sovereign, No such po
lard' is known to the Constitution, for
hose States are all co'cqual and what is p'
are ularly termed the "GoYerEmcnt, is f