Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-05-23

Ae@SihoJ 1aPill 1oi lCo~
THAT ''sELF PRESERVATION is the first
law of nature" has long been held as ap-
plicab to individuals in all cases of emer-
gency, and we hold that the same princi-
pie should De as inherent to nations as in
dividuals. Were man possessed of pos
tive knowledge that foe was attempting
to assassinate him, his right and duty
would be to repel his attack, unarm him,
and render him powerless to prosecute his
plans of criminality. So exactly is the
case with the government in dealing with
the rebellion. The traitor is the greatest
enemy to the nation. AS he who has MUIR
der in his heart seeks the life blood of his
victim, so the traitor strikes at the iugu-
lar vein Of the government, seeking to sap
its ife-blood and cause its overthrow
The first and foremost duty of the govern
ment is to exert its power to disarm the
rebels and render them powerless for mis-
chief. To sustain this point will require
no argument, but there is another point in
close connection with it which to MANY
might seem admissible of debate. As to
the duty Of the government to use every
effort to bring about speedy termination
of the insurrectionary war which now
besieges her best interests, there can be no
question.
We claim that it is the duty of the gov
eminent, whether authorized BY Congress
or not, to enforce a just and effective plan
of eoniscation aud punishment towards the
traitors who have caused and who are
prosecuting the present bellion-both as
penalty that may serve as an example,
and as matter Of justice to the loyal
people of the country. The rebels have
forced the war upon US, and should pay its
entire expenses, and they should be pun
ished to such an extent that the effect
would be lasting warning to all wicked
demagogues and traitors who might con-
spire to the ruin of the government, in
years to come. Con6scate their munitions
Of war, and all their property of every
kind and character which has any relation
to the end of the war, and the government
is strengthened and they are weakened.
This is common sense. The people of the
country demand of the powers of the gov
ernment relief from taxation and the Sc
verest punishment of traitors. Congress
owes it to the loyal people to pass con-
fscation bill which shall be fair, just and
severe in its provisions-not too sweeping
in its general provisions, but sufficiently
broad to meet the demand, If Congress
should fail to provide by law for such cor
fscation, the President will be justified, by
the power which the constitution invests in
him, in proceeding SO to confscate, and
thus weaken the rebels to an extent that
the necessities Of the case may require.
First put down the rebellion and then
settle the accounts afterwards.
The rebellion must be put dorm, and, in
the language Of the President, hence all
indispensable means must be employed"
Should the eonfscation of the property of
rebels be deemed by him to be ''indispen-
sable" we have the confidence in the Pres
ident to believe that he will employ that
means, We are dealing with desperate
men, who. with arms in their hands, seek
to destroy the nation and murder its
friends. The government owes them ne
mercy until they abandon their armed
crusade, and the leaders should meet the
direct punishment of the law against trait
ors, and should not be spared even their
lives. Coafscate the property of rebels,
which is their strength, and when the lead
ers are caught hang them so high that it
will put final end to all attempts at
treason.