Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-12-02
PROPER PUNIsHMENTs.

PROPER PUNIsHMENTs.
40 cases have been determined by the
general court martial which possess national
interest. William T. Smithson, banker OF
Washington, and John K. Stetler, merchant
of Philadelphia, have been tried for serious of
fences against the Government, ana sentenced
to five years, Imprisonment in the Albany
Penitentiary. Mr.. Smitbson and Mr.. Stetler
each belong to a representative class. and
their punishment will produce good results.
The former was found guilty of holding treas
enable correspondence with the rebels the
latter accepted contract for furnishing the
army with coffee, and gave instead an adulter
ated article. The offence of Mr.. Smithson
was particularly heinous. There is a class of
men living under the protection of the Gen
eral Government who take pride in boasting
OF their disloyalty rejoicing over every de-
feat, and weeping over every victory. In
Washington city this class is particularly
large. Before the war broke out there were
certain citizens of that metropolis who deem
ed it fashionable to be Southern In their ideas,
and to sneer at everything Northern, When
the war began, their fashion became offensive
and insolent. The most honorable among
them quietly took up their beds and walked
within the limits of the Southern army, con-
tent to cast their lot with the rebellion in
which they believed. 1t was not so with 9th
ers. They had lived under the Government
for years. They had enjoyed its patronage,
and made money out of its necessities. They
all this while TO oppose, denounce, and
deavor to destroy the Government. Mr..
SGiithson's opposition was of the most serious
aiure. He was a banker, and stood high in
the society OF Washington. He had many
opportunities of obtaining information, and of
gaming access to the secret counsels OF the
Government. All the information thus gain
OF the Government. The result was that our
enemies were thoroughly apprised of what we
were doing, and were enabled to strike. their
blows with vigor and effect.
Mr.. Stetler sinned as deeply Mr.. Smith
son. He professed to be a loyal man. His
busnes. was the preparation and sale of cof-
fee, and the Government entered into a con-
quantities. He received his own prce-a fair
price, which enabled him TO make an abun-
dant profit. 1t was a pure business transac-
tion and had Mr.. Stetler been reasonable
man he might have retained his self-respect,
the good opinion OF friends. and prospered.
He went beyond this, however, and, for the
purpose of gain, adulterated the coffee with
deleterious substances. He vas detected,
tried, and punished. Men guilty of the Of
fences charged upon Mr.. Stetler have brought
more scandal and shame upon this Govern
ment than any other class. Thousands of
dollars have been uni2wfully obtained by
these practices. Nor lid the evil and 'hns
Our brave soldiers have suffered. The war
has other rigors added to those that uecessa-
Tily accompany it, and men have gained wealth
by the unnecessary miseries of our friends
and brothers. We are glad that examples
have been made of Mr.. Stetler and Mr. Smith
son. Their offences can have no possible ex-
| cGse, and We trust that all who s;a lkesis
shall likewise b0 punished.