SEDITION

(Lat. se. apart, and ire, to go.) In Law, a general and not strictly technical word, comprising, in common language, offences against the state which do not amount to lxigh treason. The distinction between the two offences was not very accurately adhered to or defined until later times. Sedition is of the like tendency with treason, but without the overt acts which are e ential to the latter. Thus, there are seditious a emblies, seditious libels, tic, as well ns direct or indirect threats and acts amounting to sedition; all punishable as misdemeanours. The acts 39 G. 3, c.79 (by which the famous Corresponding Societies were suppre ed), and 57 G. 3, c. 19, were pa ed to prevent seditious meetings and a emblies. [s. 1122]