Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-08
COnciIiating the Rebels.

There need be no more forbearance
and leniency toward rebels, in the
hope of conciliating them. The loyal
people, for their own 'sakes and to
preserve their own character, in the
field and elsewhere, should be humane,
and keep themselves unstained by
any barbaritics. They are not to de-
moralize themselves by vindictivcness
or injure themselves by indulging in
pillage or cruelty. But beyond this
there is no call to 60. All soft talk
about misguided brethren, all hope of
winning back traitors by Cancellation,
may as well he abandoned at once.
1t is an undeniable fact that the
temper of the sccessionists is perfect
ly fiendish. Why this is so, it is not
worth while to inquire but so it is.
From every quarter, in private letters
and public documents, comes the same
tale of obstinate hate and savage con-
duct. The dead are outraged. The
dying are insultcd. The prisoners are
grossly abused. The boosted chival-
ry of men proves to be the ferocity Of
cannibals and women, who have as
sumed to be III, refined aristocracy of
their sex, exhibit the mcanncss and
passions of furies.
There are exceptions to this state
ment; but the exceptions only make
it the more hideous as general state
mcnt. The vocation of those who
would apologize for the rebels or try
to deceive the people with the old
myths and decisions about their mag
nanimity and generosity and honor, is
clean gone /; destroyed by daily and
trustworthy accounts of the outrages
committed by the very parties they
have attempted to excuse. 1t is not
necessary to particularizc instances.
Our soldiers know them, and their
friends know them only too we'll both
as to their number and their barbara
ty. If any point is settled this is
that only compulsion will overcome
active seccssionists, and that they
must be conquered by the strong arm
of superior might and through their
fears. .a.. ....... ..
Since such is the truth of the mat
ter, all concern for rcconciling those
who have shown themselves only as
enemies, should be put out of the &C
count, for the present at least and
that course of action steadily and
sternly pursued which promises the
spcedicst victory. 1t is time our army
began to have expectations of a re.
turn home, and a recall from the cx-
posurcs and horrors Of war. 1t is
time the people had sure prospects of
relief from the tremendous burthens
of the conflict---its cost in treasure,
anxiety, and precious lives. 1t is time
a great nation exhibited its greatness,
in crushing, as it can do, this insur.
rection. The work has been hindered
by various causes, chief among which
has been well-meant, and, until shown
te be useless, commendable, consider
alton for the supposed temporary mad
ness of treason. Clearly now the
wisest and most hnmanc policy, in the
long run is that which proposes swift
and uncompromising action, goes
straight forward in its determination
to restore the authority of the Federal
Government and assert those princi-
pies which can alone insure the unity
and perpetuity Of strictly republican
institutions. The Slave Power has
to day no claims to be listened to.
no rights to be consulted. The free
and loyal States deserve the care of
patriotism until the contest as to what
rule shall obtain throughout the land
is decided in favor of the Union and
the Constitution. 1t would be as wise
for a general on the battle field to
neglect his own troops in philanthro-
pic care for the attacking foe, as for
the leaders of the loyal people to ex-
pose them to any more burthcns or
perils in weak and fruilless leniency
toward the rebellion or any of its
supports.