New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-19

what we insist on is that each bclHgcrent shaH
treat ALL its ooptires taken in fair, open fight. as
prisoners Of mar. Here are Lee. Beauregard,
Magruder, Kirby Smith, Pembcrton, and most
of the leading officers in the Rebel
armies. who left tho armies Of the Union
to take service under the flag of the
Rebellion. Some Of them were citizens Of Free.
others of Slave States: some Of States that arc
held to have revOted; Others of those which
have unswerviDgly kept their first estate; our
Government, very properly, makes no difference
between them, but exchanges all who are cap
tured while engaged in regular, fair, open war
fare. Call them rebels, traitors. insurgents
what you will: they are public enemies, EN-
bodied for and engaged in regular warfare, and
are to be treated accordingly.
Now, then. we insist that this rulc-wbch all
tie world sees il liberal and humane-shall be
permitted to work both ways. We regret that
men educated and trained to the art of war at
the cost and by the favor of our country should
be found fighting for her overthrow; hut we
must take things rs We find them. The Eebek
don't like our cnlsting and srming of negroes
who were once their slaves; but thoy can dis-
like this more than we do the detection and
treason of Lee, Johnston, Kirby Smith, Penn
berton. Beauregart, &c, &c. The control
! ling fact that Civil War is very stern
and sad reality is never TO be ignored. This Is
no holiday parade-no knightly tournament;
liz is the most momentOus war, and for the
grandcst stake, that our earth ha' ever known.
All civil wars tend naturally ard strongly TO
degenerate into mutual atrocities and Wholesale
murder Lot us carefully avoid this lowest
abyss Of horrors. And to this end it il essential
that We mutually regard and trca, all prisoners
taken in open war Is public enemies, no matter
on which side they fight, or what is their color,
or where they were born.
The EIPr,ss, it will be seen, thinks this a
very paltry business, concerning only 100 TO
$50 negro PRISONERS in the hands Of tie Rebel"
Even if that were all. it would be u very
serious matter since the good faith and honor
OF our Government are pledged to the protection
of all whom ii has enlisted TO fight loT IT. ca
lSitDct. Iul - NtLftlHf iOi oAig tii' wv ~
80 negroes" whom the Rebels have captured
in arms, but the hundreds more whom they
have swept away during their Northern RAIDS.
though uuarmed. and the leo, 600 more who are
to-day in is service, either r. soldiers or %
tcamstors, pioneer, &C., SC. More Liam ihis: Il
deepl, concerns the two or three thousand vlo'n
our GoyeTnmcn, is now onlisting weekly, at
the Four Millions whom il las made is cnihu-
sia.tc parti-ans by its Emancipation policy.
The Government night 30 arm those whom
the slayeholding Rebel, against Is authority
regard a. standing ia the relation of rebels to
than, j. also al sake. with he lives OF IL thou.
sands Of brave, intelligent. patriotic Whites
who, ~ officers Of colo1cd ririmenis. are et'
posed, a. we fear some Of thsm have been nj
ready subjected, To cold-blooded murder at the
hands of our country's implscaile foes. In
short, the character a. well ~ the life OF our
Government il at stake on thu issue here pre-
sented. VIVA, mus, 30 the loyalty. the honor,
the good faith, Of those who would have II -
coil aud LEI he malignant and desperate Rebel
chiefs torture and hang it, armed defenders NJ
their wicked will !