Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-22
I'll atrbmau " stair SOuruu'.
BY E.P. WALTON.
MONTPELIER, MAY %. 1868.
THE LAWS OF WAR.

The War Department has officially pro-
claimed instructions for the guidance OF the
army, being compendium Of the laws OF war
recognized by civilized n,tions. This was
prepared by Francis Leibor, l.. l.. d., and
revived by board of officers Of which Gen.
Hitchcock was the chief We extract from a
summary.
Among other things the instructions set forth that a
place district or county occupied by an enemy stands
in consequence " the occupation under me maua IA"
Of he invading OF occupying army whtln,t any pro.
camaton declaring martial law, or any public warning
to the inhabitants has been issued or not
Martial law Is the immediate OF direct eject ana CON
seoucncr Of occuuatou or conquest. Martial law is
simply military authority exercised in accordance with
tho laws and u.agcs Of war Military oppression is not
martial law III the abuse of tho POWER which hat
law coufcrs As martial law is executed by military
force 10 s incumbent upon those who administer IL 70 be
strictly guided 10y ihe pfmcplgo Of jusuce noh9t .nu eu
manty-yrtues adjoining soldier even more man oihei
ot the very that be possesses he power OF
his arms ag1inst the unamcd.
Slavery. compucatiug aud conf0undnE the IDEAS OF
property, that ~ thing aud personality, that Is oil
humanity exists according to municipal OF local law only
The law u nature and nations has never acknowedge'
H. The dgcs, NJ the Roman law the early dictum
of tine pagan ursts that $50 far the law Of nature d
concerned all men equal" Fuguvcs escaping from
country in which they were slaves Vllens or sefs int
another country, have for centuries past heen hcd me-
and Acknowledged free by judicial decisions Ut European
countries, though the municipal law Of the couutr
in which the slave had taken refuge acknowledge slave
~ in It's own domnions.
Therefore in a war between the United States and
begeront which admits Of slavery, person held i
bondage by that begerent be captured come AZ IN
gve under the protection Of the military forces Of th
United states, such person Immediately entitled 90 m
rights aud privileges ~ FEE To return such per
into slavery would amount TO enslaviug FREE person
and neither the United States any officer under thei
authority uslave any human being Moreover per
is made free by the law ofar and is under the al ell
N the law of nations, and the former State ca
| have no bclligcrents lien or claim Of service.
traitor under the Jaw VI war, or war traitor h
person n place district under martial law authorize
! by the military commander, who gives Information
any kind TO the enemy, holds intercourse with him
The traitor j. avAss severely punished n his Of
Tense consists 300 beraving the enemy anything cor
cernng the condition, safety, operations plans u III
troops holding occupying the place or district his pur
| ishment is death.
| Under the head o. lnsurrocton, civil war and n
! belon," the Instructions say armed unArmed ress
ance hy citizens VI the United States against the lawf
! movement " their troops Is levying against N
I United states, and is therefore treason
Under the first and last clauses quote
above. possibly Valandigham may fall. w
find nothing else in the summary before i
which seems to reach his case