The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1895-03-09
Thoughts on Treason
EpIToR BULLETIN

EDIToR Bulletin
A few thoughts upon treason, its
cause and effect; its crime and pun
ishment. think it would be wise
at the present time not to confine
our thoughts too closely to this lit
tie bit OF earth, but to broaden our
views and snlighten our understand
ing by taking a glance at the thou
sand-and-one revolutions that have
taken place in the great world, long
before this little nation was even
thought OF. Aud from such con.
temptation we shall see that it's not
SO much the right or wrong, as the
success or failure, that constitutes
the difference between treason aud
loyalty. Indeed it has often hap
pened that the noblest instincts
that God has placed in the heart OF
man have been stigmatized by the
name of treason, while the most dia-
bolical and disgraceful actions have
received the name OF loyalty. In
stances, too, have been known where
the mos glorious characters that ever
graced this earth or shed lustre up
on this world of ours, have been
branded with treason, while some OF
the most execrable portions of man
kind have been exalted as loyal sub.
jects. But il we would look for pre-
cedents for the punishment of this
crime we must read the Roman
history and we shall find that more
revolutions have taken place in the
Roman republic than in all the
other parts OF the world put to-
gether. And although in that bar
barrie age death was generally meted
out for treason, still there were many
exceptions to the rule, and we find
the judges were often Influenced by
the gravity OF the situation. For in
stance, the Emperor Julian, when
told an obscure enemy had usurped
the purple robe, sent him the purple
slippers as we'll, and Theodosius, Sc
cure in his strength and sure OF his
power, treated his enemy after
the same fashion and punished
none but the chief offender, aud
even him with great reluctance.
On the other hand, the princes Of
less noble character usually exacted
bloody revenge and cut off both
the root aud branch, and punished
the innocent with the guilty, and it
was left for Arcadius, the contempt
BILE son OF the splendid Theodosius,
to surpass them all in cruelty, and
it was this prince that passed an
edict that declared that a knowledge
OF q mischievous intention, unless
instantly revealed, became equally
criminal with the intention itself,
and even declared reasonable
thoughts should be punished with
death.
But such laws cannot stand, and
could not even in that age, but were
soon swept away, with the trainers
OF them, in the storm OF indignation
which they provoked. Indeed,
should say that the history of all
nations, and the experiences OF all
ages have shown the advantage Of
exercising due reverence for those
sacred laws and principles OF human
ity; and for avoiding all unnecessary
punishments, other than are required
Tor the security and the dignity OF
the Republic
And when we further consider the
thin veil (success) that divides trea
son from loyalty, it is necessary to
act with caution, and exercise the
clearest wisdom, and the clearest
justice, and at the same time avoid
all unnecessary punishment. In this
connection, we should say, that
while the sentences OF the Military
Commission are generally met with
approval, it is considered that the
excessive fines should be RENTED
because by enforcing them the limo.
cent families Of the political offend.
er must suffer, which, in this age, is
manifestly absurd and unjust.
. ... FREE LANCE.
Hawaii, Feb. %, 1895,