The national Republican., 1862-02-25
uyDEuNlTY FOE THD PAST AND -
CURITY EOR THn DUTURD.


CURITY EOR TIM 1UTURD.
Prints Of the stamp Of the N. z. H~uM, are
calling for an offer ofindiscrininass amnesty for
their political friends engaged In the reselliea
now On the point Of being suppressed. Win The |
same sublime impudence with which hey have
assumed to dictate the conduct Of war which
they resisted a. long a. they dared 10 do 90,
they now assume to dictate the terms Of .
peace, now on the point Of being achieved in
spite Of all their aid covertly rendered 70 the
enemy.
An indiscriminate pardon Of the men leading
In this most wicked rebellion, while 1t would
shock the sense Of justice of mankind, would
leave intact ell the elements Of another rebel.
lion, to be successful, perhaps, at more oppor.
tune moment, and this, We suppose the editors
Of the N. Y. Herald and those With the same
political sympathies desire and are eudeavoring
to bring ahnut. ---
This rebellion has been signalizd by every
shade and species of crime, theft, robbery, for
gerry, and betrayal Of public trusts, civil and
military. 1t was crowned BY the attempt,
above all things hateful TO those who cherish
as Q sacred tradition the Independence Of the
American continent, to bring down upon one por-
tion Of the United States, the armies and feetSof
Europe. If Boston aud New York have escap.
ed bombardment 1t is because tho emiasaries
Of JEFF. Davis have failed to bring English
and French fleets across the Atlantic for that
purpose, by Offers Of everything, including their
own willing colonial vassalage 70 European
despots. Ready TO sell their own independence
at the price Of eatisfying their csuselss and
murderous hatred Of . portion Of their own
country, they have not hesitated 70 commit the
crime against America, Of inviting foreign In.
reference In its affairs These are the men
now commended 10 us a. the at subjects for an
offer Of general amnesty.
They may lay down their arms, but that will
only be truce, 30 long as we leave them their
political positions and their fortunes. No re-
bellion was ever treated In that way since The
world began. Those who take the sword,
must take also the risk ofperishing by IL Trea
son 10 the greatest Of Grimes, and human policy
AMI human justice concur 10 denouncing against
1t the e'heaviest punishmenia The masses NAV
be spared, but the leaders must be hanged, or
exiltd, or reduced to poverty by conascation.
They must be put under the ban of perpetual
political disfranchisement.
1t Is only BY insisting upon indemnity for the
past that we shall obtain security for the future.
An indiscriminate amnesty will invite and in
cure future rebellions. It is by the terrors Of
witnessed punishment that further crimes srs
prevented. The same measures which will give
Ms partial redress for what We have ruflerd ct
the hands of the leaders Of the present rebellion,
will deprive them of the means Of fomenting now
discords. If we levy upon their fortunes for the
expenses Of this war and for the indemnincation
of the loyal, we shall strip them Of power Of fu
ture mischief, with which they are manifsstly not
fit to be- trusted.
Under tho rules of war, which forfeit all
property. public and private, at the pleasure Of
the victor, we can deal with them, II we please
to do SO, while the war lasts, through the cum
mary processes Of drum head courts martial.
When peace is restored, we can deal with them
through regulated confscation made effectual
by the civil tribunals. Or we may reach their
fortunes by way Of escheating for unpaid taxes,
NJ has ben proposed in the Senate by Mr.
Deolittle, and In the House by Mr.. Blair Tbis
method may be used 10 addition to others, and
not in lieu Of others. and it may be extended
to such war contributions as may be levied
upon certain States, as upon Texas for her
treacherous seizure of the stores Of an army
sent to protect her frontiers, or upon Louiaiana
for her robbery OF miat established and
maintained at her instance and for her benefit