New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-20
WHAT TO DO WITH REBELS.

WHAT TO DO WITH REBELS.
The recently.published letter of Gen. halleck
to Gen. Rosecrans discusses with consideraoie
vigor the very important subject Of the treat
ment Of disloyal persons within the lines OF
the National forces. We heartily approve the
opinions Of that letter, especially those wh'ch
define and declare the responsibilities OF the
Rebels and the duties OF our Generals. We
presume-indeed, it is evident from the letter
itself-that these carefully instruc-
tons ore meant to apply to all cases arising
within Gen. Haeck's jurisdiction. What ls
good law and common sense for Tennessee
must be good for Virginia, or South Carolina
OF even for so remote point as Key west
Its remoteness cannot occasion change oil
purpose in respect to it, but it might possibly
cause il to be overlooked; and, therefore, it
may not be deemed impertinent to direct
attention to recent occurrences at that post
which seem TO require the application OF Gen.
Halcck's principles.
Key West has been from the beginning OF
the war in the possession Of the United
c 5,s,,r, uut it il we'll known that thTee-rour.u.
of its population cordially sympathize with the
South and, so far as possible, actively aid the
Rebellion. Unfortunately, it ia very possible
for them to do a great deal Of mischief. The
island is within easy sail of Havana, and of
the Anslo-Rebel port of Nassau. Communlca.
ton between these and other West Indian
harbors and Key West is frequent, and mail
facilities are practically Unrestricted. Nothing
is simpler than for the Rebel residents OF
Key West to receive and transmit any amount
of correspondence from within the Rebel lines;
and, in order TO make things generally as
pleasant and comfortable as possible, the
United States mails are expected to convey
their reasonable dispatches. If strict sur
VIGILANCE Of the mails is incOnyenient and i'm
possible, there remains but one way IN which
to stop this dangerous leak, and that is by
cleaning out the fountain. Enforce Cen lla-
lecks drections-send the Rebels Otf-and the
trouble would be at an end.
The recent commandant at Key West, COL
Joseph S. Morgan, Of the goth New-Ierk, was
Of this opinion; in other words, though lie had
never seen Gen. Hallecks letter, be was for
treating Rebels as Rebels, and did in fact
adopt and act upon the opinions Of the General
in.Chef before they were published. II is
worth while TO quote so much of those opinions
as touches the present case:
Person. bslon cling such occupied territory and within
the military lines Of the occupying forces give no in0r
nation tho enoy OF tho oceupyps without proper
authority To do the party forfeit. not only all claim TO
protection subjects himself herself be punished
either sy military traitor, according to tho character
Of The particular oen8e. or treatment i such cDcgs and
,goh egndu, ms hh0D been Gt gsher TO lament more
sc, eiorcemen Of tho Of war this respect ia
ucudel. Such offenders should be made to understand tho
penalties they Incur and to know that those penalties vii be
ilgidly emf lced"
He proceeds to say further of persons openly
hostile but not bearing arms:
Such person, only incur all the obligations imposed
upon the other Of tho territory and
liable tho punishnen.s for olenses committed
but hey may be foa - Pri'oH'I 81 md Dc ' ccf'd
10 fetig.s OF confinement EArrLsioS. conDaan
enei,i. oituo opinion that such persons should not
general alc he permitted to 40 nj large within oaI lie."
" Ne hare seye,sl rsrg ,cssye'y t, ~ fii dis,
and 1. time the lave Of should DO Esorousiy
forced assins, them A tfval hno VI distinction
The rebel population of Key West comprised
both the classes referred to b, Gen. llalleck.
Col. Morgan, perceying the evil of their pres
ence aud the impossbiity of checking II while
they wcro suffered TO remain, issued an order
for their Xpulson-exacty ms recommended
by Gen. Ilalleck. The order naturally pro-
duced some excitement, aud energetic efforts
were made to arrest IT, execution. They were
successful. Before 1t was possible to enforce
it, Col. Morgan was superseded by order OF
Gen. Hunter. Col. Good of the A7th Pennsyl-
wanna who had once before been in command,
and had been extremely popular among the
Rebels succeeded him, and tho order was i'm
annulled. Moreover, tho proclama-
ton of martial law which had been issued, and
which alone was adequate to the exigencles
of tho case, was revoked; the civil Courts
and authorities were permitted TO re-
sumo thoir peaceful and Intellectual functions;
and Key West virtually lapscd into Rebel
hands, and seems likely to become agaiR, as it
was before. ono of tho chief sources whence
the Rebels derive information OF tue plans and
movements of tho Union forces
1t can hardly be supposed that Gen. Hunter
wished or intended this result, Tho zeal of
TINT officer ia beyond question; but his judg.
mcnt may DO controlled by higher authority.