, 1862-06-18
Gbe: GtitUtee



more 1ahored than logical, attempts to
prove that confscation Of the property Of |
rebels would be refinement not only Of |
IT stupidity, but Of wrong and barbarity, to |
:. which the world could furnish no para1- |
f:lel" Three strange and disjointed res
sons are offered in support Of this eztraor-
dina1y conclusion. First, That we are en-
gagged in putting down simple rebellion,
and that rebellion IS not war; second, that
the rebel junto is an established govern
uent de Jacto, submission to which on the
part of the people Of the rebel States is
necessity, not a crime; third, that the Fed
erd Government, in permitting this rebel
lion to assume such formidable proportions,
is itself chiefly to blame for the consequen-
ces- And for these reasons the Journal
opposes the whole scheme Of confecaiou.
The journal proceeds upon the assump-
tion that confscation is to sweep away all
the property Of an the innocent people In
The rebel States Now everybody Knows
that no such thing is intended. Only those
who have played conspicuous part in
treason will forfeit their property. Quiet
people who were forced reluctantly to sub
nit to the domination of the rebels, will
not be disturbed. But the Journal tries to
create the impression that only this class Of
persons will be punished It makes no
sl1usion to those who set up "the govern
ment de Jaeto to which the southern peo-
pie yielded their allegiance" It points out
innocent people as the intended victims:
and then. with simulated virtue, opposes all
coufscation- This is simply q very shallow
and dishonest way Of hiding the guilty.
Kentucky and Missouri swarmed with
traitors, whose crimes have cost the loyal
north thousands Of lives aud millions of
treasure. We're they forced into rebellion
BY government ds ,facto? Would 10y
alty have cost them the price Of "martyT-
dom?" We're the leaders Of the rebellion
anywhere driven into war against their
country? These are the men at whom con-
fiscation is aimed.
The Journal is very unfortunate in recog~
nizng the rebel junto as O government dc
.Taeto, able to command the respect and
obedience Of eight millions Of people, and
yet declaring it unable to carry On con-
test rising to the dignity Of s war. The
present contest it insists, is only rebel
lion; and an unsuccessful one at that.
But an unsuccessful rebellion is riot On a
large scale. The punishment Of riot i
fine; the punishment of rebellion is confs,
cation. That is an end Of the matter
Still more unfortunate is the al1usion tt
the civil war in England during the reigu
of Charles the First. The Southern rebel
lion has no resemblance TO it. That was {
contest between the King and the Parlia
meut-hetween two branches Of the SAINT
government--not an attempt Of doze1
counties to break away from the nation
Neither side was trying to dismcmhel
Britain. The victorious side ruled over lh,
whole country; was recognized by all for
cign powers; made wars, and conquests
and treaties. During the continuance Q
lis rule there was not even the shadow G
rival government, claiming the allegianc
of the British people OF course it was Il
crime to yield obedience to the only ez
isting authority. But ou1 Government Il
mains perfect in ali its parts. Its author
ity is as binding as ever. The Union ha
neither been dissolved nor impaired
We have the constitution, the laws, III
President, the Congress, the supreme cour
the Federal capital, the Territories, th
national flag. the army, the navy, the COZ
merciGd treaties, and the official intercours
Hith all foreign powers We have all tn;
constitutes tile Union in its whole fore
with supreme authority, and commandin
The righ,iul allegiance Of the people Of Il
entire country, The southern rebellion
simply treason, the mildest punishment
which is confiscation; and there is no go,
reason why we should depart from q il
and well established rule.
l. few resolute loyal men in each Of t,
rebel States would have prevented the !,
bel|ion. They we're not found-' Timoro
peace men there we're in abundance, "
deprecated war but not hand would til
raise for their country. They were fore
into secession because they were too co
ardly to relnain loyal. They were will
to fight for the Union On condition Il
the Union should do their share Of fig
ing; otherwise, they were ready to SIT
allegiance to any power which mi
set itself over them. Government Il
always considered as something scpa1
and distinct from the people; not Il
creature or representative, but tt
master. It is hardly fair to charge
cowardice Of such people to the Cow
ment, badly as it was conducted unde
pro-slayery Administration The obyi
purpose is, to prepare the way for bring
in against the Government claims Of !
fessedly loyal men for damages sustai
BIZ dcpredations committed by rebels
can tell the journal in advance, that Il
claims will never be adjusted except
confscation. The project may as vel
abandoned now. II It be unconstitutis
to compel traitors to make reparatiou
properly which they have destroyed,
men of approved loyalty be made to
for it? This piece Of characteristic di
macy is thoroughly understood, and vi
thoroughly brought to shame and co
sion. One other fact we shall call to
attention ofthe Journal. " Nowhere an
t'naions in any age Of the world" did
who took leading part in rebellion
as the one we are now crushing out, es
with lighter punishment than confsca
LAKE DEFENsEs.
Although there may be but little pr
danger Of the intervention Of either {
Britain OF France in our domestic gus
10 man can tell how soon the distre
the English manufacturing dis
and among the French opera
may compel Palmerston and I
leon to create some pretext for m
in cur affairs. Hence, no
can tell how many months Will claps
fore we Of Chicago, in COMMON with q
people along our lake boundary, II
wondering why, when the possihil
intervention was so plainly to be See
did not with an united and impe
voice urge upon Congress the Instant
sity Of making some effectu1 provisi
the defense Of the immense water
which offers 10 the enemy so many
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