Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-15

If hair of the head Of single nan Of tbis crew
il injured, South Carolina viii demand that the out
rage be stoned for-an eye for sn eye q tooth for
tooth--a life FOR life, Aye and she ,0al haze r.
no more and less: on the battle field and after
the battle. Let one of these her citizens commits
stoned in her cause perish as a pirate and woe to
the enemy who falls into our hands Humanity snd
Justice no less than the cause itself, will compel to
prompt and ample retribution; and the sooner this
t. understood the better for all parties TO the war
Civilized warfare viii be met in kind; savage war
fare viii compel savage warfare The North can
make it either. Lettfem now decide.
From the Charleston Courier, June II.
It il confidently rumored that the crew of The
Savannah, which lately sailed from this port, are
now prisoners on the Wabash, Captain Mercer,
and have been threatened with summary punish
ment.
With all our experience Of the treachery and cru
cruelty of LINCOLN and his despotic horde Of under
lings and satFaps we cannot believe that Com
SrRIEGHAx, Capt. MEBcER, or others Of the q. s.
NAVY who have been recognized as gentlemen and
as officers in honorable service, can descend to
such cruelty and unprecedented outrage.
The rights and privileges Of priyateering have
been maintained and asserted by the United States
and the separate and distinct existence Of the Con-
federate States as q political power has been also
practically recognized, in many ways, by the Lin
coin States.
From the outset of the controversy the South
ern States have been scrupulousy exact, or rather
supersttiously exact in recognizing the courteses
and civilities of warfare. Robert Anderson, who
began the war, as a subordinate, against pledges
and promises, was treated for weeks with more
attention and conrtesiea than were bestowed on ma
ny of our own officers.
When taken prisoner he and his command were
released with Unusual honors.
Gen Harvey was taken prisoner at Harpers Fer
ry and released with honor.
Lieut. Col Morris, U. s. A, has been twice or
thrice arrested on good grounds, and yet has been
discharged.
Many prisoners were taken 10 Texas and were
honoraby released.
Weneed not multiply instances to prove that the
South if compelled to defend her rights by war has
deserved an honorable war. modified by all the lin
itations and amenities Of modern war among chris
tan and civilized nations. Even the outrages and
bestal excuses perpetrated by the black guard who
have been turned loose on Virginia have not pro-
Voked retaliation. This forbearance must soon
find limit if the threats above referred to are ex
ecuted.
We now have the means of retaliation so some
extent, and the fortune OF war and own fferts
will soon give US ample opportunities.
Every citizen of q Lincoln State that is or falls
within our reach, will be subject of retaliation.
The property of all such citizens situated within
the Confedera Sta es, will also be deemed subject
TO contisestion.
We deprecate the necessity or occasion for such
proceedings but if the enemy gives this tone and
color to the war. must leave the case to the
judgment Of the world and all the means of de-
fence retaliation and reprsals in our power 1t will
perhaps make the war more terrible, but more de-
cisive and less protracted.
1t cannot make the South more determined on re-
distance and final separation. 1t may, however, pre-
vent, even after war, long course of peace the
growth and re>establishment of peaceful relations
of commerce and social intercourse between North
and South.
We warn the foe in time, and we devoutly trust
A. L,o1 1J
of savage and heather warfare are established by
the United States no prisoners will be taken or
kept alive under that hateful flag. We can erect
the gallows or the gibbet, as well as others.