, 1862-02-28
GEN. RICHARDSON AND THE VOL
UNTTrS EESUNE TEE WEFEE DIS

TRECT.
We tock occasion day or two since to
warmly commend The bill introduced by
Hon. ". A. Richardson, Of Illinois, pro7id-
ing for the close confinement Of ecrtai1
classes Of rebel prisoners, with view to
the infliction ii punishment appropriate to
the crime Of treason. Coming from an
influential Democrat, we regarded it as an !
Indication Of progress in the right disec-
tlon, and as afcr]ing ground Of hope that !
those who have conquered their prejudices |
> thus far, Will, as The var advances, arrive |
at the conclusion that Slavery and the
Union are no longer compatible the i
issue Of the present contest involves the
destruction of ore OF the other. General
Richardson Inns not yet arrived at this
point, as the following extract from q brief
, speech Of Ills Congress On Thursday last,
will show:
A grext deal Inns been said about the objects
and purposes Of this war- The gentleman from
massachusetts remarked that we stand in vcry
different position from Nhat re did 1T the called
seee1on We'll, sir 60 VIC Co; but the only differ
~crce is that We now lare an army Of six hundred
thouFa1d mcn in the field How did you get them
thcres Did they ccrc there for the purpose Of
Ahn]ftirnf = Not at all.
You would never hsye had this army; you would
never nave wen the victory at Fort Douelson 1T
had been understood that such were the objects Of
The Kar. / suspect that, ont oft. 3 four thousand
men from ny Congressional district who were in
tho fight at Fort Donel=on, twenty-five hEudscd OF
" them voted Tor meat TIC lsst election
General Richardson does not remember
that while he has been gradually progress
ing in t1e bad atmosphere ut Washington,
the advanced position Of hanging the lead
: ers Of the rebellion, the ''fo3r thousand
volunteers from This Congressional dis
trlct have been growing much
mcrc rapidly in the presence Of the
realities Of tic war In another part d
The speed, ifro1a which we haye quoted, ht
sid "Ti:e inevitable result Of this war is
...yuu must hang good many Of the trait
@ors. could not go home 10 my people
"if T v.s not in favor Of that" When h,
Gees "gc home to his people at lcas
when he meets the = four thousand. Q
: them who ws:1c ut Donclson--llc viii fin;
10 bis tmazlneni, that lis coming woul
have been i:ai.cd with far lnorc corlia
welcome had lie added q lou NUT also d
stspy t1at 2enica made item traitors
~: We mct, TIE other tiay, IN officer Of a
Illinois regiment recruited almost excl,
&ycly il Gen. Riclr.'dsons District, an
which has st,ea rine months Of actu.l Sc
vice ii tire field. We asked him what ";
now lie sentiment # the regiment in tt
;; gard 10 slavery. Said lie, Ct Without sol
"taTy exception, SO far as know, Tauk an
file. are IL JEror Of lie ertcrminafion"
We Know intimately the captain Of
-. company, cyery nember Of which Is fro
:. The fifth Congressional district His cor
pany, with o;hers, Oh one occasion VIC
hun, ing, " ratil, 10 the rescue Of porto
Of his regiment surrounded by an ovt
J; widening force ct The: rebels. Tic latt'
in anticipation Of reinforcemcats from Il
quarter, had drawn the spikes from t
!: rails where Tie track crossed high e.
hankmcnt- When the train reached Il
point, tho rails were displaced and eve
Nh Nk11t WA SA1~ ~N3Au%AEA4ANAl+ " oIuAA
large nuni;er Of the boys, Among .he
80 Lurt: was The captain above alluded TO-
=" was thrown upon his head, and remain
" inscusiElc for 3 whole day After
-: had regaiEcd consciousness, the chapl
!. Of tic regiment. sitting by his side, ass
-: him how he fvlt-, Said he, "you know Ii
unccm;nomisirg a Democrat I have
> ways been, I confess I had a long :
"painful struggle with my conscience
"befSre getting my own consent To- t
part IN .1iis;war- But, :" said he, at
same ainse rubbing gently his bruised he
"My experience since I~canle to aIisst
:. has 3attene0 out my bump Of conssroati
"and I an IN -J;,gpr Of DESTROYING
cause .ef tk;s aear" That can,
.. voted for General Richardson al the
:: Congressional election. So also did a i;
-s..s proportion :: Of his company, e,
man oi which now goes the same lei
with the captain.
-::7.. r.: At social entertainment given rece
-. =. by tic officers Of regiment which CO
tn,es part Of the "fo;r thousand" I
Gen: Richardson's district, one Of the
mental officers, on being called on
speech, spoke in Substance IS foll'
.; When we organized this regiment, &c
j. @men, ccniug aB we did from diaercn
{. 3 1it;cal organizations. we agreed TO Is
.ttpolisies This evening shall Vio1at
*'rrle. lam going talk 3 little about