The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-03
day OF.

Protection TO oN-CoMBATANTs.-
The within named person having proper
ly taken the oath of a nom combatant,
is henceforth TO be respected and pro-
tected in both person and property, as
such, and all trespassing, pillaging and
marauding upon such person is strictly
prohibited. When necessary to use his
or her property, hereafter, for the support
of the Federal armies, it shall be done in
a regular manner, and full receipt be
given for the same, and the property be
paid for by the United States Govern
ment according to law in such cases
made and provided, upon the owner pro-
ducing satisfactory proof that this oath
and bond has been kept inviolate.
Questions have arisen as to the nature
Of the parole oath, why and how far it
is binding. In answering them shall
assume that to be true which is not 80,
viz: That the Southern Confederacy is a
lawfully established government, whence
it would follow that males of Tennes-
see capable of bearing arms are liable to
be put into its army.
According to the laws of war, it is at
the option of the Federal Government to
dispose of such persons who are within
its lines, and their effects, as it sees fit,
subject to the laws and usages of civil
lied nations. II by those laws an in
vading army may depopulate country,
and take captive its inh abitants, with
greater reason, as a lesser evil, it may
take prisoner and confne whenever and
wherever it may be necessary, to prevent
mischief, those of them liable and likely
to bear arms against it.
When it says to them, "Out of human
ity will not do so. will even allow
you TO follow your peaceful avocations, if
you will pledge me, and keep your prom
Use, that you will do no military mis-
chief" this is a great relaxation of its
rights in favor of humanity.
The parole of a soldier not to take up
arms until lawfully exchanged overides
all his obligations IS a citizen, and his
oath of enlistment, and, as a relaxation
of the rigor of war, is held sacred by
civilized nations,
The parole of harmless inhabitant
is a still greater mitigation of the rights
of war; because it does more good and he
is under but the single obligation of
citizen.
For still stronger reasons it must
therefore be held sacred by all who pre-
tend to civilization or even to humanity.
It's justice is obvious. 1t is humane
and promotes the welfare of the country,
and is for the benefit of the people as
well as of whoever ultimately holds it.
The benefits of this parole are extended,
beyond those capable of bearing arms,
to ali individuals, male and female, who
desire to benefit by the protection which
it promises On condition that they will
keep their contract not to do
mischief to our armies.
The motto of our Government is not
that of the Confederate revolutionists,
rule or ruin" but Government is for
the good of the people" The end to be
attained, and the justice of the means,
being thus pointed out | have only to
say that the combatants' oath 10
Just, and will be held binding during
the war; and those who take it, unless
like prisoners of war, will be
absolyed from its obligation only when
the war is ended.
This non combatants' parole is an act
Of grace and humanity, for the benefit Of
those who, for various reasons or neces-
stiles, are or have been unwilling to bind
themselves to perform the duties and
thus become entitled to the full privileges
and protection Of loyal citizens. Being
wholly inapplicable to loyal citizens
they will neither be expected nor per-
mitted, except in special cases or for
special reason, to take it.
w. S. ROSECRANS,
Major General.
Nashville, Tenn, Dec 2, 1862.
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