The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1862-06-21
FALSE MERCY.


Itis all rish sand proper fes a great
gorernmen: like ours TO be paguani-
nous. and to show itself above the feel
Ing Of . mere vengeance or revenge 10
dealing even with rebels and We would
not have it etherwise. But there is
such thing as excess even in magma
nimity and mercy. No one will appre-
eiate other q msguanimous or merci-
ful &C, who does not. to some extent,
comprehend the spirit Of the party from
vhom he receives the kindness. Thus
the rebels. 80 far from being favorably
impressed BY the clemency Of the gov
ernment. set it al down to cowardice-
to desire to buy them up. and not to
any really, noble and forbearing pr;nci.
pie. Hence. the mercy Of the govern
n,ent has been turned into curse both
10 the loyal and disloyal portions o.
community. az =" -.
II. instead Of the exceeding tender
ness with which the traitors we're at
first treated. little Wholesome severity
bad been exercised towards those who
tsa is'o our hands in the beginning. We
think there would have been far lesls
open violence on the part of rebels
against Union men. But tire turning
loose Of hundreds Of prisoners on ths
mere form Of taking the oash--a shau
that was follower than vanity and quisi
as empty as no.hiog-saYe the rebels
In idea ,ka. tie government i;self look
ed upon trw.. ."n as a nifing matter
which "A Few words uttered before
magistrate would wash out; aud henc,
the widespread rataSes Of This poli.i
cal aconlsgiop. Tia, more yigorou,
policy would at that time have bad ,
most saia.ary influence in checking th.
procIisiiy TO secession, We think is al
most self-eyiden. proposition .
That the rebels woald not have been
20 bold had they expected rigorous
imprisonment. or death in more formii-
dable eases. if taken. We think tie his.
tory Of The past ten months has clearly
demonstrated. So long as they were
let of "n ostis. SO long did they rav-
age the country aud prey upon tbeloy-
al. But as soon rs the rigors Of martial
law made it dangerous for them 70
continue their crimes. they sneaked OF
and left their loyal peigbbors iu some
peaee. ,,-i.s So ,...,, 49,
We are 6rmly Of The opinion tba'
when q man becomes traitor in tbi.
cSunrfy he is lost 10 sll,the finer sensi.
bilities Of humanity-is given over to
',hardusss Of heart and reprobscy oi
mind. and is not q subject rupoa
whom clemeney can be expended
The moment a person turns traitor, be
turns rascal. lie becomes rebel. a
th'e5. roboer. a liar, . pejurer. al
simultaneously. and he needs cold lead
or stringent dizciplins TO keep him from
commission Of crimes. The history OF
this rebellion is but record of crimes
from murder down to petty ,hefis.
Had the hundreds (yes. thousands }
Of prisoners taken in Western Virginia
and at Camp Jackson. s.. Louis. been
held. they might have enabled our gov
ernmsnt TO hare effected . full and
complete exchange after the Bull run
disaster. and thus have ssved our noble
soldiers the horrors of their southern
imprisonment.
We perceive disposition gai ing
esouoo IN many quarters to let the reb.
ek of ea.ily. We have noeon6sea.icn
act that is really worthy Of the name,
on our statute books. nor are we likely
70 havs. There seems 10 be seni.
msns 'aking possession Of the public
mind ,hs. prirote property must not be
toucbed, even when known 70 belong
e ,ssheh. Well. il is nnsse b. 70 il
nuss. Bxs # this -seSslsios i sOe PIT
doom scith on iron hand i siU never ssoy
desr; and ve shall have it to fgh. over
agnaa,aznea n. sisia.es agr -ssdr cd,
FAlse mercy will prove . worse cusse
than . little excess Of severity. We do
not advocate unnecessary stt;elaeS 10
mating out justice 70 The traitors. but
vs d0wsos sbs traiiorp TO- ,sA TIE naked
blade. We do not bold 70 that sickly
ssntimentality which hugs the criminal
TO the breast, but leaves tLe ,;;rtuous
defsncelessly at the mercy OF he assas-
sins stabs. ssisq hrf lssr as =. sansl
if'bs rebel Leaders Who may be tsk. |
en- are not capitally punished BY ibe