New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-06-19

mon honesty and benevolence, 10 tho worry el6
ments of beEgerent policy and in that self
respect without which victories will be rare
and ut the same time barren Of desirable
results In tho army, 1t isn't identity Of
blood which makes all our private soldiers
equal, but identity of button. The Articles Of
War take no account of chronological niceties.
Major-Generals are not to 90 TO the Book Of
Genesis for their instructions; and when one
OF their Black Pickets is murdered, our com.
manders are to consult not the Prophets but
the Provost Marshal.
| 1t il stated that our Negro guards, after
witnessing the murder of their companion ia
arms soon after took prisoner Rebel soldier,
and hurried him to . similar fate. This was
undoubtedly against all rule, but it shows
what may BIO reasonably expected, If We do not
remove the temptation to retaliate summarily.
by proving to these poor mon who are fighting
our battles that they shall have all the protsc-
ton which our Gag con possibly extend to them.
Once convince them that their lives are az
sacred in the estimation of the Government a.
those of our winter soldiers, and that their in-
juries will speedily bs redressed without refer.
ence to q prejudice which our present circum-
stances have made ridiculous, and the danger
of excuses on their part must of necessity DO
materially diminished. But after ali, it il for
the Rebels themselves to decide whether they
will secure comparative saftey. from unusual
violence by conquering or ut least suspending.
fhe practical operation Of their obsolete hatreds.
and by conforming to the new order of things
save themselves from bitter ard bloody pun.
isbment. If they mean to go on numbering in
cold blood black prisoners Of war, they will
have only themselves to blame when the day
OF q stern retributiOn shall find them at tho
mercy OF those to whom they will have shown
so little. There are moments in war In which
the best General loses control even of the best
disciplined troops, and the very passions which
have made the battle glorious bring disgrace
upon the victory. Soldiers have very loog
memories and arc little apt to forget the in.
dignties inflicted upon their unfortunate CON-
rades nor do they readily pardon disregard
OF those laws which alone amelorats tho perils
VI the military vocation. White trooper who
had seen bis brother rcmorseessly buDg after
fair surrender, would not be likely to forget
the cruel crime if a Confederate soldier were
lcrouohDg undor bis sabre; aud with feelings
of this nature, call them honorable or other.
wise, as you will, We suspect that the color
of tie skin has little to do. The laws Of war
allow the solace of occasional revenge; but.
whether allowed or not, it will be taken when.
ever time ard opportunity permit. The rals
seems to US to be pretty simple one. The
Black Soldier vii treat tie enemy very much
as the enemy treats him. AZ these gallant
chattes have developed an uncommon lighting
faculty at Port Hudson, it will be only prudent
for the Rebels TO check if possible the ardor
OF that lynching faculty which, as everybody
knows they possess in perfection.