Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-08-23
THE POLICY OF RErAL1AAIoN.

The wanton and gross violation of all rules
Of civilized warfare in the ignominiousf treat
| ment Of onr captured prisoners by the Lincoln
Government has forced upon the public mind,
the growing conviction Of the necessity of
prompt aud ample retaliation on our part
The Leg taAonts-the Mosaic Law, which ex.
| acted an eye for an eye and a tooth for tooth
should award its just retribution, and nlete
out its judicial punishment. Whilst it is the
duty Of all nations to observe the usages
which civilized beligereuts- have cstablsh-
| ed for mitigating the horrors of war, yet in
cnse Of tbeirhabtual disregard by either bel
ligerent, it is the clear duty of the other to
enforce theft observance by the most strngen!
measures of retaliation. Nations recognize no
common umpire, aud war itself is a necessary
means of obtaining redress for violated rights ::
and the same principle Which would justify an
appeal to the sword, will sustain the adoption
of whatever measures may be necessary for
maintaining the observance of the recognised
laws of warfare. Justice to its own citizens
demands this at the hands of the Government
and it is the dictate Of sound policy and true
humanity. 90
Northern Government has affected to treat us
as rebellionists and traitors and has threatened
us with the doom of felons. Contrary to the
established practice of the Government it has
denounced privateering piracy, and thresb-
ened our captured prvateers with the fate of
pirates. Carrying into effect its threat, it has
immured the crews of the Savannah, the Petrol
and others. i'll the dungeons OF New York and
Philadelphia, loaded them with ,nanacles, and
subjected them to every indignity. Prisoners
captured on land, have fared scarcely better
and the Confederate prisoners taken at Nanas-
sas, and now confined at Washington, after be.
ing nearly sacrificed to the fury Of mob of
free negroes and black hearted abolitionists are
now incarceratel in gloomy cells, restricted
to diet of bread and water. and cut off from all
outside communication. But the browning act
in the dark catalogue Of injury and .ignominy,
has been the hanging Of two or three South
Carolina prisoners. by Yankee Regiment in
the neighborhood Of Manassas. These acts are
well established and appeal loudly for retrib,,.
tion. A pusanimous foe who fears to meet
brave men on the battle field, but insults the
defenceless prisoner; who neglects his own
wounded, and refuses to bury his own dead,
can be moved by no other appeal than that
which the strong arm Of power exacts from his
fears. We have q: last the means Of enforcing
retribution, and we trust that the Government
will use it. An il.timed c!emency now, would
be unjust to the brave men who with manacles
on their hands and halters about their. necks,
have been confined in:,he cells of felons and
threatened with the. fate of felons ReLribu-
tive justice is now the true humanity, and { Ill
alone put an end to the barbarities of the war.
We must give the North a "Rowland for an
Oliver" or We cannot ensure the safety of our
brave men. Wounded prisoners are to lie
treated with Christan charity and common hu-
,manity. but let all others receive the same
measure of comfort which is meeted ont TO our
own. The sickly sentimentalism, and far.
fetched humanitarianism of some is equally op.
posed to the teachings of Scripture, and the
practical wisdsm, and lardy.virtues Of an ear
ler aud purer age..cs a -
The North has prescribed our persons, and
confiseated our property. 1t can Justly claim
no exemption from tile law. which it'has itself
promulgated. 80