Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-02-18
RetaIialien 81 Englnna.

retaliation Rn England
From the Richmond Enquirer.I
The proclamation Of outlgWry against Bat
Ter and others seems to have aroused an unusual
degree Of indignation in the London IiDscS.
Tbs execution Of any Of the outlaws under that
procla3stien will be regarded, intimates the
Times, as unusually cruel and harsh, and calcu-
lated to withdraw from the cause of the Coded
crate States much of that sympathy aud sdmi-
ration extended to our successes by the nations
OF Europe, and especially By the people Of
England. Fortunately, Bater has been re-
called, and so far as the voice Of popular senti-
ment in the United States can be esceriaiaed,
condemned in public estimation by his own
people as an outlaw and criminal The issu-
ing Of the proclamation caused his immediate
removal, and as tho principal criminal is now
sale from arrest, the proclamation may bs
considered ss having accomplished its OBJ
ject The officers of Batlers command can
not now be distinguished from those Of Gen.
Banks proper, and as the enemy have learn
ed IN changing commanders, the necessity Of
altering their policy also, the principal object of
the proclamation may be considered IS sceom-
plished and all necessity for the execution Of its
Just, but necessarily harsh DEGREES. NAV be CON
sidered as removed. 'Forbesrancs and mode
ration have characterised the Confederate
arms throughout this whole war. Our people
have submitted to outrages the most infamous,
10 robberies most cruel aud distressing to muT-
der, rape, arson, and theft, without resorting to
retaliation until their very submission was re
garded by our Unprincipled foes as a license to
further devastation and crime.
Accustomed to the civilized warfare Of Euro
pean armies, the London Times cannot conceive
the amount of wicked and wanton destruction
perpetTatsd upon tbs non-combattant people of
the States whose territory has been in the enc
my's possession. Upon the Womsn and chill
dren within their lines they have wTeaksd q
coward vengeance for their defeats on the fields
Of battle by the husbands, brothers aud sons of
the helpless people in their power. Butler has
been the chief thief; bis robbsTies have been on
q scale Of greatness that. when exposed, win
attract es much attention from their megni-
tude as they now excite indignation for their
cruelty. He robbed the people of New Orleans,
but he equally robbed his own government, and
sold the provisions and clothing sent to his own
army TO spectators His cruelty to old men
and women, his murder of Mumford, are crimes
that call for the punishment of death; and
though the Times may fear talistion should
the Confederate authorities execute Butler un-
der the proclamation, its apprebensions are un-
founded The prompt recall of Butler, as soon
as it was known that such proclamation would
be issued, shows that the United States have no
intention to push matters to The extremity of
bloody retaliation.
The Times, while advising the C3nfederase au- |
thorities not to enforce the proclamation. has
wholly failed 70 express its opinion as TO what
course should be pursued to deter the enemy
from the uncVilized mode Of warfare adopted
The tanaticism that now rules at the head of
the armies, as well as in the council chamber of
Mr.. Lincoln, knows no law, other national or
municipal L has deliberately set aside the
Constitution, the supreme law Of ths4land, |
sworn to by al its officers; it has ruthlessIy as
sailed the liberties Of its own citizens; it has de-
stToyed all law, and insugurated the uarestrained
license Of anarchy. What can enemies expect |
from the officers Of an army whose authorities |
sre thus reckless aud careless of the sworn OBJ !
legations Of the Constitution and laws in their |
own country2 viii they respect the Unwritten |
law Of nstionsl viii the, to them, unknown |
laws Of war be regarded, which the passion of
lust snd the desire Of acquisition, unrestrainsd
by orders, are left free TO crafty themselves /
upon an unprotected peoplel
Every proposition that has the appearance of
cruelty is as much shrunk from BY the people |
of the Confederate States as By the people of /
England. But there are occasions when Justice I
demands that mercy should be silent aud crime /
should reap its appropriate punishment There |
is nOadauger of the innocent suffering where all /
are criminals. We can see no other course left [
Us but to apply the law of retaliation The |
murders by Mcneil in Missouri the robberies |
by Milroy in Western Virginia, have never been |
by the government at Wash /
pgton. That they are approved and applaUded, |
ye have indisputsble evidence If the 3imsS /
will endeavor to correct the Federal abuses, the |
Confederate cruelty viii cure itself