Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-07-12
TREATMENT OF OUR PRIVATEER PRIB.
ONERS,

- oNERs.
Where a nation does not keep up large
standing armv,it becomes necessary in
time Of war to resort to volunteer soldiers
or land militia. Where nation has TO
large forces at sea, in the shape Of fleets
Of regular war vessels, it is necessary to
resort 10 volunteer war vessels or privateers.
Such is now the case Of the Confederate
States. The slips of-war Of the late Uni
ted States. Of which the Confederate States
were very considerable portion, belonged
to IL very considerable extent to these Con-
feGerate States, having been built, 10 large
part, with money contributed by them, aud
for their benefit and protection. But We
have been wholly deprived Of our fair pro-
portion. The whole naval armament Of
the late United States has been unjustly
seized snd appropriated, contrary to all
equity by the remaining fraction Of the
late Union. The Confederate Str:es thus
robbed OF their naval forces, have found it
desirable i'll the war now progressing, to,
have recourse 10 the militia of the sea, and
have issued their tAilitary commissions to
as many aa are willing to engage in naval
warfare with our Northern enemy. The
Savannah and her crew recently left this
port to assist in Sighting the battles of the
South by sea, and were unfortunately cap
'ured by the United States brig Perry.
BY the laws Of nations and the customs of
civilized warfare, these men were prisoners
Of war-nolhing more, nothing less. They
are entitled to the humane treatment Of
prisoners Of war. Except for security, it is
not customary to handcuf prisoners, nor 10.
treat them as felons, Yet the blood OF
our readers has already boiled, in reading
the brutal and outrageous treatment which
has been practced in New York upon these
men-cti2ens who have brayely undertaken
20 do their part in meeting our enemy at
sea, under authority Of our Government,
and according to the customs Of nations,
1t is to oe hoped that a speedy requital
will be meted out to such. Northern pris-
oners of war as are row in possession Of
our Government. We trust that upon the
spot an equal number at Richmond have
already been, oy will be, loaded with irons
and pat into place corresponding. as near
rs may be with the condemned csimipals'
cells Of the New York Toombs. We trust
that Scott Lincoln will be formally notified
of the fact, under flag of truce, and fur
ther advertised that if a hair Of the heads
Of our priyateersnen perish, the lives of as
many of Northern prisoners Of war will
instantly pay the forfeit. It seems to us,
| that such course appears called forhy
every dictate OF humanity and Of self pre-
servation and respectability as a. people.
The protection of the life Of the citizen is
Tue first and highest duty Of any govern
'nent to whom he looks for protection 10 res
turn for allegiance. The soldier, defending
that country more than any. merely private
c izens, is entitled to all the security the
whole powe, Of the State, exercised to the
u'termost, is capable Of extending. Let it
be seen and felt to be something to be q
citizen and defender Of one Of tie Confsd-
crate States. s.--lMercury. ~%- e: '.*$7-
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