New-York daily tribune., 1865-11-13
THE PENALTIES or TREAsON-
THE ELECTIONS.

THE PENALTIES or TREASON
THE ELECTIONS.
II is a remarkable proof Of the advance oil
civilization that Rebellion gigantic in Its pro-
portions, and At one time extremely threatening
TO the perpe,uity of the Government, has been
alayed without any final hangings, drawings
and quarterings. When the Romans put down
an insurrection. they lined the roadside with
crucfod corpses; when the modern English have
lad TO deal with restvc Ireland, the rope and
the AK have been the principal instruments oil
paciiication. But thus far We have not had q
single execution for purely political ofenset
nor does it seem probable that We are to have
any We ak only the simplest proofs oi SIN
cerity from those who wish TO return TO their
allegiance; and generally, whether we know 1t
or not, We seem TO DO steering more nearly by
the law Of Christian forgiveness than any pre-
ceding nation under circumstances OF similar
temptation aud trial. We were obliged to exc
cute the assassins Of the late President or give
Up capital punishment altogethcri and II Is safe
10 80. tuht ii ,oPs' "'"
beon hung three months ago, after very br1ei
drum-head investigation. Tho clcmency of the
country seems to us to be proof of its con-
scious strength. II never believed so thoroughly
a. now in tho safety Of democratic institutions,
in the absolute force OF equity in public affairs
in the general good sense and good intentions
of the masses. and in the possibility of popular
self.govenment wise, cautious and dispassion-
ate. The element Of political terrorism We
seem TO have totally discarded; and those OF
our amiable foreign critics who would have
written Us down barbarous and blood-thirsty,
are confronted and slenced by the long process
sion of pardon-seekers who 60 up to the White
House and come away politically rehablitated.
The late elections have developed the secret
OF the peoples conscious strength. Unanimity
was neither to be expected nor desired; but the
faith Of the majority in tho ultimate predomi'
nance Of sound opinion and lis effective force
in public affairs, has been so strengthened that
. We see no perl in magnanmity and feel 4
power Of protection without resort to violent
or yindictive measures. The Opposition had at
its service all the usual expedients of sophistical
appeal-class prejudice, high taxes, and almost
: exorbitant prccs-but all these were powerless
TO cloud the judgment Of the voters. In making
up the record once more against faction, and
rebellion, and Slavery. the peoplc have once
more demonstrated the moral force Of free
suffrage, and have little temptation 20 rely upon
the harsher oxpedients Of tho law. They look
to the future with philosophical calmness, which
might be mistaken by the unintellgent OBJ
server for Indifference, whereas it arises from
a just appreciation of their power material and
moral Secession seems to have eTadcatcd al
most the last trace Of popular cowardicc, and
while We were once afraid TO do right, it i.
demonstrated that we are now more afraid TO dc
wrong. We suspect that in this eyentlul month
of November we have seen pretty much the
last Of the fast-and-loOse trimming and com
promising poticians-thc race OF Seymour'
and Van Durens and Socums and Jerry Blacks
and Vallandighams. Their subtcriuges anC
sophistres have become obsolete, their choicest
clap-traps Of little value their old-lashioneC
manouyers impotent Their game is pretty much
lplaycd ont. They may not be dead, but they
have very little TO live for. This is a piece o
real good luck to the late Rebels, if they did
but know it, It eytinguishes foolish hopes o
profitable and prosperous alliances, and showt
them that their Northern friends have nothing
but good wishes to bestow upon them. II
saves them from those harsh measures which
might be prompted by our apprchcnsions, and
which quasi treason in our own neighborhood
might justify and would DO likely to provoke
Tho stronger the Union, tho more clement The
Union can afford to be; and wo cannot over
estimate tho advantages of preponderance o.
accurate political views at this hour of public
emergency. And now. if We can but purify
this great commercial center and give homes,
men good chance TO make themselves felt in
Now-Y York, the influence Of the City will be
extended through many legitimate channels,