St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1862-06-05
Extraots from = Speech Of Hon.
a. VIM: Window on the Conf1sca-
tiOn Bill. = 2'''@ Pc :'1'dj Il! -

Extra cts from 4 Speech Of Hon.
VIM: Window on the Confisca-
ton Bill. = 2'.." ''~ ~'1'hJ "'.'E
I :}N Sci g.: -- d. IN, !a~1 rafs y
I Mr.. Speaker, by special or,ler; of the House
two bills are under discussion: one proposing
to conhscate the property Of rebels the other
TO libsrate their slaves. The remarks which
desire now to submit will be addressed mainly
10 The policy Of these inca ures 1@a1 4 T. II
Sir. there vas time when treason Mas
| regarded rs. the blacksst crime known among
Men, and traitors were otfcasts, bearing tpon
their iOrehesds the brand Of infany. Nov.
treaspn seems to be viewed by many ~ sort
Of political principle, and traitors as mere po-
lticsl party, Q Oe treated with reapeUt zaDd
tolerstion. Even in The free States there are
in almost every community men whose hea, t.
are black with the treason their pale lips dare
not utter. whose every sympa.hy IL With 'hs
enemies OF their country, and who secretly re-
joice whenev,r they hear Of the slaughter OF
our brave men in battle. The prayers Of sor-
| rowing mothers and wives. and the hearty
&c cd bless you'' Of u loyal people. which fol
low our gallant soldiers TO the field, find in
| their lepr.us souls NO RESI- onse, but the secret
| wish that they may meet disgrace, defeat, and
butohery. For this class OF DEMONSTRATION il
| were fou: sland-r ON humanity to, call usn-I
can 6Dd no words 10 pi ess my deep aetests.
ton aud utter sbhorreLce. Traitors are they,
without the cour"ge to avow cir treason {:
assassins. without M opportu i.y 10 strike the
eo~ard'y blow their vile hearts prompt. Their
seAsimeats aud symps, hiss are we'll known in
the communities where they reside, and VT
they are permitted, 10 teonianuste respects
Bile 's0cisty Nith their presence; to mingle
! with honorable and loyal men: anil even 10
excuse and yer up the crimes Of their muir
dsrous al.iea. : -,
UMtl the Government and the people come
to re9ara this most wicked crime in its tue
light, and to treat such criminals in accord
ance with their deserts, We may MT hope for
peace Or security. II loyalty and disloy.l'y.
patriotism and treason, xre to be underst God IS
mere m tiers OF opinion, about which men may
honestly differ as upon ordinary political sub
jects, we may ~ we'll a. once consign the Re-
public to its grave.
Sir, have no patience with those persons
who are ever ready to plead for the rights Of
| traitors and murderers but who never utter u
word in condemnation Of their crimes. Afro
cities are daily committed by the rebels which
would disgrace . canlibal, and yet whenever
an effort is made to visit upon them title Of
the punishment due to the,r 6entiish 0utraess
these friends and synpathisers spring to the
rescue, and interpose the shield OF the Consti-
| tuition between them and just retribu,ion. K
will yield to no one in reverence for that
glorious charter Of liberty, but in my humble
| opinion, the leaders in this rebellion have mo
rights which white man is bound TO respect, !"
except. as was we'll said by another, 1.-THE
right to be hung" They can claim nothing
tut An ignominicus death for the benefit OF
the present, and record of their infamy and
just fate tor warning to future generations
The Constitution which reverence vas made
'.to form more perfect Union" not to weak
en- that which has been formed .'to establish
justice" uot to shield the guilty ''to iusure
domestic tranquility" not to give license to re
volt "to provide for the common defense, >
not to encourage treason and guard the lives
and property Of traitors Ito secure the bless
ings OF liberty to ourselves and pos'erty,'
not to sacrifice every sacred interest. inclu-
ding liberty itself, upon the accursed sltars ol
slavery nation like an individual has the
right to defend its existence by every meana
at command even to the utter annihilation of
ito enemies. When l see trai, or.us blow aim.
ed At the life of my country. shall cit down
aud t&mely study the Constitution to fnd
| whether shall merely ward Of the blow, o,
strike the traitor dead! No! will strike fol
the salvation Of my country first, and study
ths Law afterwards ~,
have heard md carefully read the exhaus
tive constitutional arguments made on the sub
ject of con6scstion in this and the other wing
Of the Capitol, and will not take the tine to re.
produce them, or attempt to add to their force
To my mind, they very summsrily demolish the
weak contitutional breastwork thrown up fol
the protection of traitors, and most clearly de
monstrs'e the power aud duty of Congress tc
charge upon them with the weapons OF con6si
cation and emancipation at the same time tnal
our brave soldiers are char !ing with colJ
steel" i. .... ...o --.
There are, no doubt. degrees ofguilt in those
who are engaged in this revolt. and the Law
should discriminate in its punishment. I Fo,
the ignorant, misguided masses at the South
who have been forced into revolt by wicked
leaders. let there be forgiveness, AZ far As ,pay
be consistent with public safety; b"t in the
name of humanity and justice. let the mercy oi
the Government exhaust itself on them, thai
there may be none left either for the cause
which las inspired or the leaders who Eav&
inflicted the rebellion. Justice demands fol
them the most severe and terrible punishmrnts
Mercy shuddels at their crimes, and for th'
sake Of future order and peace, delivers then
up for example and a warning. No policy Car
be more dangerous and cruel than that whict
BY morbid sympathy for traitors, tenche'
! SudS tTe0sOu II u Veu0l OueuSo, 10 DC re8OuJ
forgiven and speedily forgotten. Those who
have instigated this rebellion must be made tt
feel that the Government respects itself. ant
that they cannot deyastate . continent Will
imrunity. All men must be taught by thei
fate tha, death and infamy follow close upor
the heels OF treason. This punishment shoult
not De inflicted to crafty any feelings Of re
sentiment or revenge, but in the discharge Of {
jsolemn duty We owe to p.,sterity. Not to ,vlsi
these chief criminals with the severest penal
ties Of the law. is to bequeath to our childre'
fsnother rebellion, more. terrible and blood,