Wilmington journal., 1868-08-14
Alien and Sedition Laws.

Alien and Sedition Laws.
It is almost impossible to keep pace WIN
the acts of tyranny by which the haelcais
of this State are attempting to plunge our
people into riot and bloodshed. Having
bv the mower of Federal bayonets seized
the control of North Carolina, they will
endeavor to seal their possession at the
expense of the prosperity of the State and
in the life blood of its best citizens. The
work of the Legislature is entirely devoted
to establishing new offices with large sala-
ries, and creating unheard of offences
under heavy pains and penalties, and
arming one portion of the population
against the other We do not see the pas
sage of laws looking to a just, equitable
and economical government we see moth
ing intended to develop and promote the
resources of the State nothing to add to
its wealth nothing to provide the means
necessary to meet its increasing expenses !;
nothing to promote agriculture, commerce,
immigration and internal Improvements ;
nothing to foster the natural advantages in
which North Carolina is SO rich, and which,
if properly developed, would make her
great and prosperous in short, nothing is
done in the interest of industry, quiet,
social order, prosperity and peace, and
everything for idlenes3, confusion, internal
disorders, ruin and war-nothing for North
Carolina, but everything for the Radical
party. Tyrannical and oppressive police
bills are followed by sedition laws. Crimes
are established, punishments adjudged,
and offices, executive and judicial, are
created to suit the purposes of party. In
every way the most odiOus and offensive
distinctions are drawn between different
portions of the people of the State, SEEM
ingly with view to create discord and
turmoil.
If we are to judge by the acts of the
present Legislature, North Carolina has no
enemies moro to be feared and provided
against than those of her citizens most
distinguished for their Intelligence, virtue
and wealth-none who seek TO destroy her
prosperity so much as those
"-- native here,
And to the manner born"
The Legislative proceedings record
nothing but warfare waged upon our
best citizens with all the mendacity and
malignity of fends. who labor in the in
terests of their master with demoniac love.
These men do not anticipate, as they do
not desire, a prosperous and peaceful solu-
ton of our present difficulties. Born
amidst the throes and commissions of the
State, and nourished by the diseased and
disordered condition of society, they desire
to prolong their evil Importance by anarchy
and revolution.
We have heretofore published in full the
Military Police Bill, introduced by the
Reoere~d Welker. We give below the Sc
dition Act, presented by another warlike
preacher. Recerend Blythe. This bill has
been referred to select committee, and
will doubtless pass in this or some similar
shape. These men are indeed organizing
hell in North Carolina
SURRECTION, REBELLION, &C.
WHEREAS, There are believed to exist in this
State reasonable organizations in which the sp>l =
1t of the rebellion is nurtured and cherished, the
purpose of which is to create and sustain spirit
ofhOstility towards our State and National Gov
ernment, and by threats and intmdations, tC
Overawe the freedom of elections and of speech
and whereas, there are in many parts Ofo State
llcentiOus abuse of the freedom of the press in
exciting spirit of disSffectiOn, seditIOn and il.
surrectiOn against the National Union and the
Loyal State Government of North Carolina, as
vas done IN the year 1861: Therefore, to protect
the people of this State from the horrors of war
rapine and cruelty, and the reign of terror which
existed du'ing the rebellion,
Sec l. BE HenGcted by the General assembly o.
North Carolina, That ii any person, by speaking
writ &, printing, or IN any other means, shall
endeavor TO excite, countenance, encourage
anv spirit of rebellion, seditlon, disafection
slstance to the State Government of North Caro-
lima, or to the due administration of the laws
thereof, or to the Government of the United
States or any law thereof, shall, on conviction
be imprisoned at hard labor for not less thar
three years nor more than ten years, and be fined
not exceeding two Thousand dollars.
Sec That If any person shall, by threats, in.
timldatlon, or III any other way attempt to pre-,
vent any citizen from voting his honest senti
ments, or to compel him to vote against his SEN
tlments in any election, or who shall leave his
home and sh all atte mpt in the night time to in.
tmdate, trlghten, or alarm any peaceable citizen
OF the State, every such person, in any of the
ways aforesaid, thus offending, shall, upon con
vlotion, be imprisoned at hard labor for not less
than twelve months nor more than three years
and be fined not exceeding five thousand dollars
sec 8 That II two or more persons shall con-
spire together to overthrow, put down, or to
destroy by force the Government of the State OF
North Carolina, or to levy against the Gov
ernnient of North Carolina, or to oppose by force
the authority of the G vernment of North Caro-
ma or by force or by threats or intimidation, TO
prevent. hinder, or delay the execution of any law
OF the 5 ate OF North Carolina, by force or
Irauo 10 seZe or take possession of snv fire arms
or property OF the State of North Carolina against
the Will or contrary to the authority of said state
every Person so offending in anv of the ways
aforesaid. shall be guilty of high crime, and
upon conviction thereof IN any Court having ju-
rsdlctlOn shall be imprisoned for not less tha
three Years nor more than ten years, and be
nheo not ex edlng five thOus and dollars
oec " any person shall incite, set on foot
assist or engage in any rebellion or insurrection
against the authority of the state of N rth aro
lima or the laws thereof, shall give aid or COM
Tort thereto, each and e cry person SO offend ng
IN any OF the ways aforesaid, shall be guilty of a
nigh crime and upon conviction thereof in any
Court having jurisdiction, shall be punished by
imprisonment at hard labor for not less than five
years Dor more than fifteen years. and be fined not
more than ten thousand dollars
Canby's