Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-31
Plenty Of Law for Traitors
ny Auorney-GcnernIT homns w. Gregory.

led BY GOOD bad motives, seek to hammer our our
officer of the executive branch Of the govern
nd legal of m persona d 5% he
permanen, alleg lance to the United States.
of its t forma ,n p Msf eX
faith made In solemn treaty: and from the be-
ominous earnest of it's intention and temper. '"'S
The has shown us how by
civilization has been able during the centuries
people of warning nations we're ruthiessly torn
down; how, patient and long suffering remon-
and fairer promises made only to be broken. Vs.
IVY we All know rs but sober fact. plainly stated
r rne Of war no principle of civilization
tianity to stand between it and the 1oGking out
OF it's illegal purposes.
For half century the officials of the imperial
eyer, the teachers Of their children have pros
psEns has h been led to liberation if no, APP
Eracticed by that government in this war
w Will yet we were neutral struggling to
ar n our fne9ries and our railroads forged
violated our hospitality and our sovereignty
t Wss !h sSe plSs1d sgsns. our
amr0nting for r drowned our helpless
brate the murder. -ee
They have bombarded unfortifed towns and
They have, made barren desert Of the garden
Jagged and willfuiy burned towns: theyS h pi va
they wrecked and torn aau nae efn m
S MItn systGm d,ab1cal in It's efficiency they
thai til Sey ng h a,rs d1ns all Of these
men. SO as more easily to conquer and rule them.
this there can be doubt.
heretofore. save in rare cases, war has been
a night between armies, but this war because
Which whoe iGr by a non % H
purpose. is contest between peoples them
II our enemy win. Kings viii dominate the
%orld' Inc rrussian AN, autocrat and the brutal
what We may do. and the horrors and atrocities
We have been thus forced by the imperial
ion TO suffering outrage and plumber. should
time and at the pleasure Of the royas Viii vi do oe
us as w ion ho
tie end that aulocratic dominatie over as:
hay spoken 6;n Thy, thas far no, Of the legal
oyy bua of the and br gs
political and moral elements OF our situation
which must imps us to loyalty 70 cause D md
' have oI puoseiy moSeI si ""hSf. and with eau
o Gn sea ths TnIfH@ ' a Of the law
Sfs ii va, would shsW s ossasona
,ss As enn, not Of Be ssss
in :hcir disoyalty and schcming against the
government ana It's poses.
The Federal government Is powe:Iess to
handle such malcontents. Among other offenses
prosecute those who wiIlfully make ar
convey false reports or false statements. when
United States is at war. with intent to int err.
fere with the operation or success OF the mill
tary naval forces of the Federal sovcrnnen NJ
promote the success of VS.
enemies; also those who wiilfully cause, or at
tempt cause INSTRUMENTATION, disloyaIty
mutiny or refusal of duty. or wiltuly obstruct
Hned sae of the
mutny or refusal OF duty or willfulIy obstruct
the execution of the laws Of the United States;
also those who undertake to overawe the III
of the United States in performing THEN
duties either by direct intimidation or threa Is,
or by injuring their persons or property; also
overthrow levy against the Eovernmen
forcby oppose it's authority
signed. among other things to punish spies
regulate the use OF the malls and punish those
who abuse that use.
The provisions OF the selective draft act pro-
vide punishment for those who fail refuse
TO register hinder obstruct the enforce
ment OF that act.
The Federal raj, governmcnt can find power to
the III advised activities OF disloyal aKitators