Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-08-11
IRE Laws OrWar.

ticuIarly, argue that the laws governing
war between civilized nations, should not
auply to the present rebellion in this coun-
try. Some urge that the rebel prisoners
should be treated with the utmost severity,
and others maintain that they should be
hanged as soon as taken.
And we regret to confess that the Ad-
ministration has adopted this inhuman
policy, to q certain degree, in dealing with |
the rebel enemies. The shooting of the |
ten men in Missouri by the Infamous
Mcneil, the hanging of two rebel officers
in Tennessee, the Imprisonment of Morgan
are acts clearly in controVention to the
laws Of war observed BY all frat class ma
tiUnslities.
The allegation that different customs
prevail! IN the treatment ofprisoners cap
rured in q civil war, is without legal fOun.
! datinD.
fit were merely rebellion. We would
not cay that the government would be
bound to conform to the established laws
Of war, but the war in this country has
grown beyond the proportions of simply
a rebellion or iusurrection. For. according
to VATTEL, whose commentaries on the
laws of nations are acknowledged by all
enlightened powers, when q party is forms
ed IN State, vino no longer obey the
rightful rulers. and are possessed Of cuff
cieut strength to oppose them, or when
the nation is divided into two opposite
factions, and both sides take up arms, it Is
called ciril Icar.
And the same author adds thst this be
ing the case, it is very evident that :he
common laws Of war-those maxims Of hu>
manity, moderation. and honor which
characterize war between christian nations
, should be observed by both parties in ev-
. ely civil war. For the same reasons which
render the observance Of those maxims q
f matter ofobligstion between nation and
8 nation, it becomes equally and even more
;. necessary in the unhappy circumstances Of
0 two incenssd parties decorating their com
mon country.
Q This is the definition of civil war anC
o the manner of conducting 1t by one of th
/. attest and most accredited legal writer
] the world ever produced.
g Now, on the score of humanity and com
"a mon justice to our own people as we'll 9
10 to those who have taken up arms agains
o us, every rigbtmjnded person should pro
70 test against the cruel policy advocated ,
ID the Abolitionists. Who is not aware tha
le should the President conceive it right t
harg up our prisoners as traitors or ret
ar els, the opposite party would be compelle
e. to adopt similar course towards those
10 our people whom the fortunes of We
e. throw into theil hands. IF our Cover
" meut does not religiously observe III
ed terms Of cspitulsticns, and other CONVEX
Of tions made with our enemies, they
RI course will treat us in like manner
tic Should We burn and ravage, they wi
" follow the example. and the war will b.
d; come, as it ulready has to a great exten
lie cruel and horrible; inbuman and blood
at aud more destructive to the nation.
ut Therefore, it must be admitted by ever
an mau. not a mad fanatic, or a vile wret
who glories in scenes of barbarity, bio
m. aud carnage, that the present conflict |
lat tween the Government and the secede
n ought to be carried on 10 the same mann
70. as by two different nations.
tie This the fathers. mothers, wives, at
Yea other relations and friends of the men VI
I'M have Joined our armies, as we'll as the sc
tie diers themselves. expect and demand
~ the Government; for if our Governme
will conform to the laws of civilized VIZ
fare, so will our south ern enemies.