“It is to be hoped that disloyalty will not become more general by reason of threats of conquest, or by propositions that the United States shall become _administrator de bonis non_ of the seceding States. One description of treason against the United States consists ‘in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.’ Mr. Conway[159] and Mr. Sumner have given the ‘aid and comfort.’ Had they sent in their _adhesion_ at the same time, they would have done the Union much less mischief.” Not content with this article, the learned author addressed the following letter to the _Boston Journal_. “UNCONSTITUTIONAL LEGISLATION. “DEAR SIR,--Will you permit me to say, that, the sooner the Republican party cuts itself loose from all unconstitutional projects (whether they relate to emancipation by proclamation, conquering States and holding them as Territories, confiscation without trial, or any other measure not warranted by the Constitution), the sooner it will begin to provide for its own salvation. “Very truly yours, “JOEL PARKER. “CAMBRIDGE, May 5, 1862.” On the other side, Dr. Brownson, the able and indefatigable Catholic writer, sustained Mr. Summer in a powerful article, entitled “State Rebellion, State Suicide.”[160] A few sentences will show its character. “The slave-owners, by their rebellion, have unquestionably forfeited their right under the Federal Constitution to be protected in their slave property, or, as to that matter, in any other species of property. If Slavery be ever again recognized as legal, therefore, the responsibility will attach not to Slave States only, but to the whole people of the United States, and we of the Free States will become, clearly and decidedly, _participes criminis_.”[161] “We hold with Mr. Sumner in his noble Resolutions, creditable alike to him as a statesman and a lawyer, that the State by rebellion commits suicide, and lapses as a civil and political entity. All laws, customs, or usages, depending for their vitality, force, or vigor on the State, are rendered null and void by its secession, and are to be treated as _non avenues_. Slavery exists in any country only by municipal law,--in no country by the _jus gentium_. In our political system it exists by the local law, or by the law or usage of a particular State, in distinction from a law or usage of the United States.”[162]