Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-07-23
Alax. n. gstaxsns' Late mI9sIon-Ah
At1Sck on Jen DaVtsS



From m. Richmond Examiner, July 10
Human experience has yet discovered
but one means of preventing violent CRIME
1t is by violent punishment. me guy
effectual preventative of murder ls-EetHt.
iationt Society says to its enemy, II you
murder one of mine, l will murder all OF
Won. and IN does go. The only means OF
dealing with nation that adopts inc
maxims and practices of bandits ana as
sasins. ia still an extension OF this o'uest
law of the world. There is no alternative
but sufferauce and submission, which IN
dividuals NAV prefer for themselves, put
which Governments are sworn not TO
adopt. This fact has been recognized oy
the Confederate Government. IL KNOWS
the right, and still the wrong pursnes'
Mr.. President Davis's proclamatiohs gu"
prouuuciameuioes, his horrible threaten
Jugs and gloomy appeals, have oeen SO OF
ten repeated that they are the sueer OF the
world But never have they resulted IN
one solitary performance. He is very OBJ
stinate, very bitter, when be gets INTO
Quarrel with some Southern officer over
whom the law gives him temporary control
He is very firm, indeed, in maintaining
miuion or a measure against the smotnereG
indignation ola people who are compelled
by their present unfortunate situation 70
support silently great deal from their OF
ficials. But when his duty brings him into
contact with the enemy, he is gentle as the
sucking dove. :.
Lately the question of retaliation has
come up in a form siugularly direct. Two
Confederate recruiting officers were caPtur-
ed in Kentucky, and hanged on the ground
I that Kentucky was one OF the United
States
I As Virginia, the Carolinas, and all the
other States are claimed by the Union, 1t
/ ia evident that this precedent, ii unpun-
, ished, will hang every officer that recruits
in every State of the Confederacy. The
point was TOO plain to be eVaded, and the
/ Government took two Yankee officers from
among its prisoners, and ordered their ex-
ecution on Friday. But instead of hang
ing them on Friday, it commissioned per-
souage no less considerable than Mr.
I Stephens, the Vice. President of the Re.
public, to arrange a back door of mercy to
the enemy, aud of cruelty to its own Peo-
pie. Mr. Stephens was sent to Washington
with letter of credence to Lincoln and
another of instructions to himself from
President Davis.
A good deal was said in this last letter
about titles, &C., which looks Pitifu
enough; and the rest relating to the bust
the Federal Government will only vouch-
safe a civil word or so; will say, for in
stance, that it would like to mitigate the
horrors of war, the Confederate Govern
ment would be happy to indulge in bound
less compassion for the two Yankees
aforesaid. AS TO the murdered Conteder'
ate officers in Kentucky, who feels com
passion for them? The Vice President
went on his errand as far as Hampton
Roads; was stopped by the euemy's Admi-
raj there, to whom he signified his desire
to open communication with the Fedora
Government; kept two days in his steam
tug on the water, and then dismissed with
this flea in his ear:
UNITED STATES FLAG SHIP MINNESOTA,
Orr NEWPORT News, va, July s. !
Sir: The request contained in you
communication of the 4th inst. is consider
ed inadmissible.
The customary agents and channels arr
adequate for all needful military commu
nications and conference between the Uni
ted States forces aud the insurgents.
Very respectfully yours,
S. P. LES, A. r. Admiral.
Comd'g N. A Blockading Squadron.
Hon. ALEXANDER II. STEPHsNs.
Now, who will deny that the Coufedera
oy makes sorrowful figure in this mat
ter.