Daily national Republican., 1863-02-20
A PLAN ron THE SUPPRESSION OF
TnHhgnM

A PLAN FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF
TREASON.
The following extract Of letter addressed to
distinguished Senator, by an officer of the
army, suggests o new plan for tho suppression
Of treason. Afler lengthy proamble the writer
says:
To counteraot the pemicious influence which has
already obtained, in the propagation Of their in-
sidious and reasonable dogmas In the army, (which
is frightful to contemplated to stimulate the SOL
dier TO deeds Of valor and conquest, 10 promote
and encourage enlistments, to retain In the ranks
| the Thousands whose term Of service IL about 10
expire, to prevent the confusion and bloOdshed
which Will probably result from an enforcement
OF the conscrption act, 10 encourage II necessary
the immigration Of able.bodied foreigners, who
Nre starving at home, and would gladly MI our
ranks upon the conditions am about TO propose,
to prevent the necessity Of keeping large stand
ing army In time Of peace, to most efiectualy
abolish slavery, and to rc-establish, upon an i'm
peTAhablc basis this city Of refuge to the oppress
cd ones Of earth, let II be decreed that all the land
ed property Of those In rebellion or who may here
after rebel against the constituted authority Of the
General Government, in any state, shall (by reason
OF such rebellion being forfeited TO the Govern
menD be held and retained by the Government in
trust for all officers and soldiers of the army the
officers and men Of tho navy and marine corps, and
for all who may hereafter enlist in the service for
the suppression Of the rebellion as well as for
those who have been discharged by reason OF disa-
bility received or contracted In the service; and
that at the end of theNgar, (which should not end
until every inch OF Tebeldom has been placed once
more uIser the authority Of the General Govern
ment,) soon IS the States or sufficiently large
portions Of them come under the Federal rule, let
them (the soldiers, &c.) receive stipulated guam
tty Of the forfeited territory bountyin compen-
sation for their services free of tax for n stated
length oftimc.
| BY this means the future Southern landhOlder
would be he who had fought for the restoration OF
the Union-had done his best land seen his efforts
crowned with succcss) towards the extinction OF
slavery and would be the ALREADY trained conserv-
ator Of his country's honor.
| The influence and power Of men in the South Ia
\ measured by their broad acres and the capacity Of
their Golfers. without this power Of the land
holders over the poorer classes, this revolt could
not have existed month. These men you may
conquer, but you can never convince.
After you have conquered peace, to maintain
1t would involve the necessity Of maintaining an
immense standing army, provided you let them
remain In possession of the element Of power that
has so long sustained this revolution. Deprive
them Of this by transferring It 10 the loyal, war
worn soldier, and the possibility Of future out
breaks in that quarter and the necessity Of main
tanning large standing army, at once abolished
Surely, the soldier is better entitled to what s now
by all law, Government property, than any one
else. he has fairly WON'T.
II cannot be denied thnt the prospect of life of
comfort and happiness, II not of nl1uence in the
future, In the airCst portions of the country would
afford strong incentive TO the soldier, and would
prove q powerful stimulus TO his tagging zeal
The bright prospects in store for him and his would
nerve his arm to teniold eXertion, and fan into a
glowing flame the patriotic fire which has almost
become quenchCd by the ipsidious Vaccinations Of
traitors. lie would direct all his latent energies
to the speedy completion Of his part Of the bArrnin
having in view the teniold object OF tho disenthrn
ment of his country and his own future OF quiet,
peace, and prosperity. This would insure TO uE
glorious success where now we have become acoua-
toned to look for disaster.
Nor can It be doubted that many Of those already
In the army, and who arc anNiously looking for
ward to the not far distant day Of what they term
" their emancipation" would, under such induce
ments be prevailed upon to continue in the service
How many brave but starving Englishmen,
Irishmen, Seotchnen, and Frenchm en- would Gy to
the standard of liberty across the ocean as soon as
| the prospect OF becoming bona fde owners Of real
estate after Furnishing the rebels for causing them
so much suffering, were hcralded to them.
One might multiply Gd fRdniiuni the incnlcuIable
advantages to be derived from such policy. And
where are the disadvantagcsl None worthy Of re-
nection present themselves to my mind.
| believe this subject to be worthy the attentIon
Of n UniOn-lUving Senate and House Of Representa-.
tlvesj and believe that the statesman who would
perfect the ideas and plans which have, perhaps,
vaguely andimperfeotly committed to paper, would
earn for himself an enviable name, and NVbat
wouldbe ofmuch greater Importance to the patriot,
the inward satisfaction Of having in an important
degree, enhanced the most vital interests of his
country in the hour Of its darkest peril.