The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-21

tuntics for mischief ut Savannah are "tncOm-
parably fewer" than at Atlanta. His own
words state that he has taken Fort McAllister
and is going ahead. The next despatch will
state that he has co1summated his purpose
and captured Savannah.
TREATmTNT o. REBEL PRISONERS.
The proper province of Congressional action
includes all matters Of national interest,
whether in the civil community or military
service, all evils which Il Is necessary TO
pass a law to correct, and all benefits which
can only be nurtured by legal action come
before them for decision The existence
Of an armed Rebellion, while it does not bcstow
upon them new power, calls into play those
prcrogatiycs which in time Of peace lay dor
mant II is therefore one Of the most inn
uortant and sacred duties of Congress TO see
that our soldiers are not uniusty injured in
defiance to the law Of nations. The tale Of
horror which is related by those Of our pri-
soncrs who have escaped or been exchanged
cxccllcdany crime which the history ofcviliz3d
nations records and is only surpassed by the
bloody deeds which characterized the Sopoy
rebellion. England defended her sons if pos
siblc, and If murdered reyenged them. When
the human demons were shot out Of the can
mons mouth the whole world cried out in hOr-
ror at what they termed barbarity; but Britain
maintained that she but executed justice, and
| time has brought the generality Of people to
assent to the propriety Of the most violent
/ measures in such an extreme case. A parallel
case of barbarity has now occurred in our own
land. The prisoners taken by The Rebels are
/ subjected to every insult are placed in condi-
/ tons Injurious to health and loathsome to
the last degree.
We therefore call upon the Government to
fulfil its duty and retaliate upon the captive
Rebels within our hands If our officers, like
the brother-in-law Of our Lieutenant-General,
are placed in sickenng dungeons, and COM
PEELED TO have for their companions runaway
negroes, why should we not place the
prisoners in our hands in cells equally
wretched, and have for their roommatos
the lowest representative of human degra-
dation2 We might suggest that a North
em secessionist would prove an appropriate
companion.
In Congress, yesterday, Mr.. WILKINSON
in the Senate, and Mr.. ROLLINS in the
House, introduced resolution instructng the
Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into
the eXpediency Of providing by law for the
treatment of Rebel prisoners similar to that
bestowed upon Union prisoners, allowing them
only such kind and quality Of rations, etc, so
that the Rebel authorities may be compelled to
treat our soldiers according to the laws of
humanity and civilized warfare.
Such an action is eminently appropriate,
and we urge upon the Committee to report a
most stringent law relative to this mistreat-
ment and proper retaliation. But this is not
the only reason for passing such law. The
prisoners, when returned to us, are in such a
condition as to preclude the possibility o
their again serving their country in the field
= of strife. They arc smaciated, weak, ana
, afflicted with chronic diseases, which render
them helpless load on the hands of their
country-not that she would neglect them
but the agony they suffer and the expense she
must bear could be avoided, did but the
Rebels treat with common humanity the cap
tives while in their hands. On the other side
when we return them their prisoners, they arc
in a healthy condition, robust and well, and
at once take their place in the army, and fight
again AGAINST the United States. Thus they
gain the same as though they received theil
prisoners without giving us any equivalent il
, exchange. We are defrauded. 1t is ou
, duty and our right to see that we are not thu
[ unjustly treated.
d Some timid persons may protest agains
, what they are pleased to term cruelty, AM
/ claim that "two wrongs cannot make a right.
! To return good for evil is a Christian duty
. but corporations have no souls;" conse
/ ouently, what may be the exhibition of re
. fined and pure spirit in an individual is, in
e legal point of view, mere "wasting sweetnes
o on the desert air"
. We regret to observe that Messrs. JOHN
n SON, of Maryland, and Cox, Of Ohio both oil
q iected to its passage. We do not envy thos
n gentlemen the position which they have thu
o placed themselves in. Posterity and the pre-
v sent will alike Judge them, and remember tina
/ in our hour of agony, these of her sons oil
jected to Congress taking means to save frOr
lifelong suffering, or untimely graves, those
her bravest citizens now in Rebel dungeons,
y We call upon the committees of Congress
Is work in this matter; let it not rest in the
n hands; the nation demands that justice
done to our brave defenders that if we cal
tfe not revivify those who have died martyr
r death for liberty and right, we may at lea
10 prevent such sacrifices in future. Aud if "
n cannot prevent, a follower Of slavery may,
is least, be executed fol every votary who
IL blood is poured as a libation upon the altar
IA freedom.
he -------------- -------------
s. MARRIEB.
w nLnLL..-AL ~ ON Imn.dlH m-rnIn- lnLn nm.