The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-25

GFNERAL EX. HAkGE OF PRISONERS
Nothing has more slgnally marked the pro-
gress Of Christianity than the humane princi-
pies which have mitigated the barbarities Of
war. IL was, In the days Of heathenism, held
that prisoner Of war might be either muir
dered or enslaved Rome acquired all her
siaves-her helots--by conquest. But the
benign genius Of Christianity radically
changed the ancient ideas of social right
and justice In reference to condition Of peace
or war, and II Is now too late to reverse the
rules Of humanity which enlightened nations
have adopted rs the settled law Of war. 1t
should be the effort Of all mankind to reduce
to the utmost possible extent the sufierings of
the private soldier, who is rarely responsible
br the strife in which he is employed, often by
compulsion, and whose herolsm, at least, entl-
ties him to the generous consideration of a
brave and chivalric foe, whom, when captured,
be can no longer oppose, unless on the condi-
uon ofan equal exchange.
It has always appeared to us not only unjust,
but unreasonable, to delay an equitable ex-
change Of prisoners of war in the present
deplorable civil conflict The respective
oartles TO the quarrel-the National Govern
DeseHnd the so-called Confederate Govern
4 Dan gain nothing by holding men I'M
nement, when for every man that Is held
On one side another of like rank and value is
held on the other. But even If the exchange
wore not altogether equal, 1t would be better
Mat either belligerent should incur that dis
advantage than that the soldier, who
has run the risks oil war for the
sake OF his Government, should be allowed
10 rot In n dreary and painful captivity. On
this subject VATTEL, In his learned treatise
on the law Of nations, truly says, that the
State is bound to procure, at her own ex-
pense, the release Of her citizens and sol
diers who are prisoners Of war, as soon as
she has the means Of accomplishing it and
can do it without danger. 1t was only by
acting In her service and supporting her
cause that they were involved in their
present misfortune. This is care
which the State owes to those who have
exposed themselves in her Defense"
There are thousands of men taken prisoners
h this war, on both Sides who ought to have
been exchanged at the first convenient oppor-
tunity, but who have been continued for many
long months in a situation not only physi-
cally uncomfortable, but int ensely narrowing to
aproud and sensitive nature. The men have
n powerful claim upon their respective Gov
ernments to be promptly released from such a
condition; anda neglect Of that claim is not
only cruel to those who individually suffer from
4, but II Is most unwise and impolitic in so
Oar as the Governments themselves are con-
cerned, aimee men are not likely to volunteer
IN o service which not only subjects them to
the risk Of being wounded or killed, but to the
worse afiiction Of a prOtracted and miserable
captivity.
The recent action of the Rebel authorities
In consenting to recognize the negro troops as
prisoners OF war, and entitled to the privileges
which attach to that character, removes the
most serious, If not the only, obstacle to
general exchange, and the National Admins
tratlon should take immediate steps to effect
that object.
1t is very weak, because very inhuman,
argument against such measure to say that
because we can better afford to do without the
service Of such of our soldiers as have been
captured and are still held as prisoners, than the
Rebels can spare theirs, that therefore we must
permit several thousands of brave and patri-
otic citizens to starve and languish in South
ern military prisons. Policy of that kind
might suit pagan or barbarous age, but il is
wholly unworthy of this period and of this
nation.