Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-10-10
nnrArrArIoN A BUrY.

AAONN
While Congress, almost in the last hours OF
lis present session, is spending days in discus
sing measures Of redress for the wholesale plum
daring of the South contemplated By LINCoLE's
proclamation, our people are fretting at the con-
compilation Of the dangers that threaten them.
WHIST they wsnt is an early announcement Of a
co~unter-policy and this, if sufficiently strong
viii al once ailsy all fears, aud give hem an op-
portunity TO ayenge all wrongs in q legal NAB
nsr. They feel that the war is hereafter to
be one Of determination, and are perfectly vii
ling to engage in 1t, if supported BY q govern
ment policy, and the regular martial strength OF
the Confsderacy Against the one-idea policy
Of the LINCOLN government, abolitionism' they
feel that We must. our people and our govern
ment. act as q uuit-snd our Legislators may rest
assured the masses are prepared to follow out
the most severe policy that may be enunciated
AuthoritAdyely.
As we remarked in our frss notice OF the proc
lamation Of the Gorilla chief, most Of our State
statute books contain enactments that viii pun
ISL the tools who msy be sent to enforce the
object Of the abolition party Of the North. TAe
Richmond Examiner takes the same view, and
believes that a solution of the problem now be-
fore Congress may be easily found, by which we
shall be able not only to punish tbs enemy with
feet, but in 8 manner that is so clearly defsn-
ible to the world, that we shall not hazard
in its adoption, the repTOsches Of the ten
derest conscience, or violate the incest thee.
cries Of general humanity The solution is sim
Div to turn over to the States, ard subject tC
civil authority, such Yankee prisoners as may
be charged with cutrsges which are not permis-
sible in civilized warfare, but which are clearly
f~sIonies, committed within the jurisdiction OF The
respective States.
To the disgrace Of the American nsme we sTr
aluost daily called apon to record the PerPetra-
lion Of outrsges by Federal soldiery, committed
upon ths persons and property Of non-combai-
tznts, which can clearly only be punished legal
ly by State Laws providing against murder, ar
son, robbery, etc, and there is no reason why
such crimes, for which we do not hesitate to in
h;ct penalties upon our own people, should br
tolerated IN 81 invading enemy. While BY our
local codes We visit the local offender wish CAPT
tai punishment. we have been extending to our
enemies. who practice all the most horrible cru
sllies against Us, al the immuuidss acknoWl-
edged to exist between civilized belligerent
powers. Why this should be so we cannot
divine, yet it has been permitted te 60 on in the
name Of war until the Federal leaders, embold-
ened by our mildness, now declare their purpose
Of committing a wholesale robbery, By stealing
ell our slaves. If q resident of any Of the
Southern States is convicted of tsmpsring with
the negroes, penalties are inhicted-if the thous-
ands LIsCoLE may send among US are caught
infringing our laws, mete out to them the same
penalties. AL acts in excess Of the rigOr5 and
penalties Of waT-ssyS the EramiHsr-are clear
" subjects of the civil jurisdiction" and Con
gress should so announce 70 the world and the
country.
But what the people desire is that the Princi-
pie Of retaliation BE- speedily announced. If, a.
is proposed, Congress intends to recognize in the
States thsir power to punish prisoners taken IL
.As rAzkI Of lie snsmy FOR telOnies committed
ei.hin The limits Of thsrr Jurisdiction, let 1t D.
Goge speedily. A few of the States may deem It
necessary TO enset moro stringent laws-ou1
people want to understand their legal rights ano
duties-and, We msy add, the declaration to the
enemy Of our determination TO protect ourselves
in the summary manner mentioned, will have
sons tendency 10 cheek the msrauding spin
that is now devastating portions Of our country,
and threatens It'll greater outrages.
The solution Of tie journal referred to strikes
rs favofably. This is, that Congress RELEASE
uba,evef Of jurisdiction it may claim of the
matter Of retaliation, and to dispose Of the whole
summsri'y and efsctually by simply
passing & law requiring the Confederate govern
70 surrender to the civil authority of the
ell prisoners in its hands, accused Of such
a. are commonly recognized by the laws
Of our States. We believe that the States can
be trusted with this matter. We are persuaded
that no more timely and effective response car
be made By Congress TO LISCoLN's recent
proclamation, than some such act Of Legislation
AZ we have indicated.