The national Republican., 1862-04-28
COMPLICATIONS.

We zee II stated that Messrs. johnson, Eth
eridge and Maynard, Of Tennessee, are all in
favor Of severe measures Of confscatiou againa
The rebels. Col. VIM. h. Polk, Of Tennessee,
was 60, when he came here three weeks ago.
And II Is generally true, that the Union men
in the disaffected States have more decided
views In that direction than the people of the
loyal States have.
The difficulty with them, Is the slsve pro-
perty Of the rebels, and the impossibility Of
oonnscating their property without emanci-
pating their slaves. 1t is this which has driven
the Kentucky Union politicians, with whom
hostility to emancipation is paramount con.
sideration, into opposition To any measure Of
conhscation which can possibly be passed by
Congress.
When Senator Davis, Of Kentucky, who now
denounces conHscation with such sweeping We
hemsnce, came here at this session Of Congress
be himself proposed a measure, having, to be
sure, the peculiarly Of transferring the pro
eeeds Of all rebel property 10 the pockets ol
bis own friends, instead Of to the public treas
ury, but obnoxious, SO far as the rebe els them
selves are concerned, to all the objections
which be now makes to the measures pro
posed by others. He had no tenderness ther
for the families Of traitors, but overfows will
1t now, when IL is suggested that their pro
perty shall be taken for the general benefit oil
the country, and not Of Kentucky Union men
and that their slaves shall be freed, and not be
turned over to new masters. Circumstance,
alter cases, and Senator Davis is now quite
sure that confscation Is not the thing.
We have great confidence that come measure
Notwithstanding this difficulty and the numer
GUS other difficulties in the way, will be uaturet
and passed, which will reach the property o
persistent rebels, Of those classes who are re
sponsible for this caueeless and unparalleled
rebellion. 1t will be impossible 10 reconstruct
society at the South, and at the same time Il
leave the leading rebels In the possession of th,
property which has given them consideration
and power. Hanging is a good remedy, aud
one approved 10 the practics Of other countries
But nobody has ever yet been hung in the Uni
ted States for treason and where there is &C
much weakness in the conduct Of affairs, nothing
is more likely than that nobody will be hung
for participation in this rebellion. It is easier
to drive the guilty out of the country; and where
conascation does not effect that object, 1t will
deprive those who remain Of their principal
means Of doing mischief. Moderate penalties
are more easy Of enforcement that severe ones
and II is not now, when con6scstion Is met will
the objection that 1t is cruel and inhuman, tha
we can be made to believe that the rebels ar
to be hanged, and that therefore 1t is unneces
sary 10 punish them by takiug their property
or by condemning them to pay pecuniary fines
We know we'll, that ii there is not vigor enougl
in our institutions 10 take the property of tn
persistent leaders of the rebellion, they are il
no danger Of their lives, and that they will es
cape altogether, and with fresh courage for
new outbreak when circumstances may max
success more possible.