Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-11-12
MORNING NGLEADER
THURSDAY MORNING. NOV. II, 1883.
Starving Union Prisoners Of War.
PUBLISHED BY
Z. COWLES & CO.,
I42 superIor-st.

Starving Union Prisoners Of War.
The accounts received from rebel pris-
ons Of the horrible treatment Of Union
prisoners are most painfully distressing.
That the rebel authorities are deliberately
starving our brave soldiers to death, sd-
nits Of no doubt There is, unhappily, too
much testimony on the subject to disbe-
lieve it, and besides we have living wit,
nesses in the emaciated forms of body Of
Union prisoners, delivered from starva-
ton and prisons at Richmond. Many Of
these poor fellows died on the way, and
others we're beyond recovery.
No wonder the heart Of humanity is
shocked. No wonder the spirit of our peo-
pie is being aroused at the recital Of such
atroeious barbarities. But what shall be
done to remedy the evil? This is grave
question and difficult of solution. Men
grapple with it, suggest remedies and yet
are not satisfied with any plans yet men
tened.
Retaliation, in very despair Of finding
any thing more efectual for the relief Of
our suffering, starving, dying men, is sug-
gested-and yet all start back with reluC-
tance from prscticiDg such hOrrid barbar-
ism. Retaliation in kind will not be
found practicable.
Another suggestion is, to send supplies
to our men in the rebel prisons, under a
pledge Of the rebel authorities, that they
shall be faithfully delivered. Such a
scheme cannot be made efectual, for the
pledge Of these rebels cann5t be trusted.
They may encourage US to send supplies,
but these supplies will go to feed them
selves, while Union soldiers will be left to
perish.
A better suggestion is 10 speedily mass
our forces, and march with determined
spirit on these rebel prisons and release
our captive soldiers. To this end, every
energy Of the Government ought to be di-
Fscted.
It is alleged that the rebels are SO desti-
tute Of food, that their own men are in a
starving condition Gs we'll as Ouss. There
suffering among the rebels themselves, but
in such case our men viii, Of course
reach The point Of starvation first.
But we cannot give credit for neoes-
sity, in this process of starvation. Wecsn-
not forget ths: leading tarbarians Of the
rebel school, have openly advocated the
starvation Of our men, recommending that
they be put "Where the cold weather and
soant fare will thin them out in accord
sace with the laws Of nature" This is
deliberate proposition to put them to death
BY the slow process of starvation, in order
to thin and weaken our ranks.
Now what shall be done? This pre-
picking question constantly recurs. The
exigenoJ admits of no delay. 1t has been
suggested that a general system Of ex-
change be at once resorted to-that all OBJ
jections to, and difficulties in the wsy Of
an exchange be waived, and the twelve or
fourteen thousand cfour perishing soldiers
be rescued from starvation and death at
onos.
That the rebels have cheated us, and will
cheat us in exchange, is no doubt true.
There is g difference Of some twenty
thousand between their exchange Commits
sioner and ours, but should not even this
be waived in order 10 rescue our men?
We have released thousands Of rebel
prisoners on parole, who have gone straight
back into the rebel service, without being
exchanged. Their parole Of honor is not
worth 8 rush. They deem it meritorious
to cheat the Yankees" Let our suffer.
ing men, say we, be rescued now, even at
the expense Of large concessions, and in
the future parole no more prisoners. When
exchanges are made, e,exohanse Eot by lists,
but exchange man for man. Trust no
longer to paroles, for in saOh cases by
treachery, tia rebels always gain the ad.
vantage.
But now, and at once, rescue, If possible, |
cur psrishing soldiers, and for the future
lock out. What better can be done What
more is accordance with the imperative
claims of humanity II anything,
let 1t be suggested.