The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-06-28
W0ODSFIELD MONROE COUNTY. OHIO. JUNE 49, 1865.

or international war. Although it nigh
appear to be an unwarrented and arrogant
assumption on his part to be alone, ht
must speak his mind. And yet he thank
ed God he was not alone. He continued
| is an ex parte document, and can have nc
effect to modify an'agreement entered int
| by two parties. Least of all can it have
effect as long as the parties enacting un
der an agreement, and one or the othel
does not give notice that the agreemen
has ceased. 1t takes tive to break as wei
as to make bargain. The current be
lief that the war has now ended, leaving
the victor to punish the punished, is ar
error The war is not at an end so Ions
as there are prisoners to try. Peace i'm
plies an entire surrender of prisoners OF
both sides, and whichever power persist.
in holding prisoners, persists in keeping
the war open The speaker said that il
the case of the rebellion in Ireland while
not reaching the dimentions of civil war
the British Government had the lega
right to punish the insurgents, still il
punished only seven, and not one of those
with death. 1t does not become freedom
loving Americans that the vanquished IN
civil war should be held as prisoners
He inquired how his audience would have
liked to have had Washington and Frank
lin punished if they had been vanished in
the revolution. 1t is likely that ali in
future rebellions, nineteen in twenty will
be on the side of freedom. Was it proper
for America to set an example of having
punished men for treason? Cries Of
"Yes, yes" "No no." Crowned heads
will everywhere point to the example set
by us as precedent, whenever they sue
ceed in crushing rebellion. Is it for
America to put it in their power to try
men for treason?
One of the audience asked the speaker
if he intended to, compare Washington
and Franklin to jefferson Davis? Loud
applause.
Mr.. Smith said he had just such objec-
tions in his mind, and he would attend to
the gentleman directly. Laughter. l.
The objector virtually says that the cause
Of Washington and franklin was just, land
therefore they ought not to be punished
as traitors; the< cause of Davis and Lee
was unjust, therefore they ought to be
punished. [Applause.] The speaker be-
lieved the cause of Washington and Frank
lin to be just, and that of Davis and Lee
to be unjust. But how would the tyrants
of Europe view the distinction? He was
speaking of the example of America on
coming ages. Suppose one of the crown
ed heads of Europe succeeds in subduing
a rebellion, would it be any trouble fo1
him to say that his cause was just, and
that of his enemy was unjust, and go t.
hanging again? Laughter and applause ]
Mr.. Smith said that the objector mistook
his position. He spoke on general prin-
ciple, and not on a special case. God
forbid that Austria should have 1T in hel
power to plead the most influential of all
examples in her behalf in depressing
Hungary. The day may come when Ire
land may rebel-oppressed Ireland. He
said oppressed Ireland, because any peo-
pie is oppressed that has to support re-
ligion, even their own, but more especial
ly one not their own. She may rise up
and suppose England succeeds in subdu
ing her, would we allow England the ex,
ample of America to shed blood? The
nation has no idea she is urged by tht
press and the pulpit to become the grea
! betrayers Of liberty throughout the world
Let it not be said that the rights of the
laws of war have been disregarded by US
and that we have unfurlcd the black flag
! Is it for America to contribute to tina
end? You don't know to what infam.
men are leading you. The speaker sait
that no breach of faith could be So gros
or guilty as that of taking the contest on
/ of the laws of war, at the last stages, ant
i bringing it under the local law. Me-
say that it is not taking it out of the Law
Of war and putting it under municipa
law to crafty revenge, bat to serve tn
laws of justice. The man must indeed b
blind to justice, that cannot see that jus
tice can never be served by injustice
| TApplause.] Ia order to save life an
property from piratical war, and for tn
4 purpose of obtaining thousands of me
for the army to save the country,we agree
with the enemy to carry on the war ae
oording to the laws of war. We ha
4 -eaped the advantages of the bargain, W
commit the meanest crime of the age:a
IL we DaQ IOlu lHe oueny eba' III VIZ "'1
of eur victory we would raise the blac
flag and give no quarter, he would hav
raised that flag himself.
A gentleman inquired of Mr.. Smith
} he meant to say that we agreed to term
of carrying on war through fear?
: Mr.. Smith replied that he was ashame
that an American citizen should sugge'
that the Government ever made an Ell
gagement under duress. Loud applause
| One reason why the war should be carrie
on according to the laws of war, was tn;
} where such vast numbers of men carrie
on momentous and responsible war, the
: have strong show of right. Loyal an
J disloyal millions have believed in tt
I doctrine of State sovereignty and we mu
! admit that they have nobly reasoned
; They have seemed to have some measul
of right to believe in the doctrine
State sovereignty. They had high autho
t ity for their principles. The speaker RI
! viewed the position of political parties
the beginning of the government, an
: said that the South soon accepted tt
doctrine of State sovereignty. 1t is trr
: that the rebellion in 1882 reached but Ii
, tie outside Of South Carolina, still tt
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