The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-04-28
The Duty of Government tOtcard
the Chiefs Of Rebellion.

The Duty of Government tO,card
the chiefs of Rebellion.
Chicago has been wild with excitement
to-day. The news of the fall of Rich
mond closed the courts, suspended busi-
ness, and drew the people, with rush
and by thousands, into the streets. And
a more excited and jubilant crowd never
saw. shall attempt no description of
the scene they presented, presuming you
had the same thing in New York and
Brooklyn, batting little of the zest and
enthusiasm that characterizes this live and
wide-awake young city. Now the rebel
capital is in our hands, and the rebellion
totters to its final overthrow, our govern
ment must decide upon and announce the
policy it will pursue in dealing with the
rebel leaders. And the matter is of mo-
mentous interest. Already the demand is
made that these corrupt and guilty men
should be treated with the utmost clem-
ency and tenderness. All their crimes are
to be pardoned, the loyal North is to for
give, and they are to forget all the past
With no regard for the honor or authority
of the government, and an era of "good
feeling" is to be inaugurated. Patriots
and rebels are to strike hands in fellow
ship, sit under the same vine and fig-tree,
and take sweet council together.
A spurious and maudlin charity pro-
tests against the hanging Of even jeff.
Davis, and begs that he and his associates
may be soothed and coaxed into an amia-
ble frame of mind. 1t has been even sug-
gested that it might he well for the North
to assume the whole, or a part. Of the
debt contracted by the South in her effort
to destroy the nation. apd make slavery
perpetual. God forbid that l should say
aught in disparagement of Christian chari-
ty, or against clement treatment of the
worst of men, when ii can he done with
out jeopardizing the welfare of society.
But justice has its claims, and there are
times when it is the first duty of govern
ment to see that these claims are main
tanned In the circumstances in which
we are placed. it is expedient and right 60
extend mercy to the masses of the mis-
guided people of the South. But the
case is different with their leaders. These
men are guilty of the highest crime ever
committed against society. With malice
aforethought. and inStigated by the devil,
they have attempted the destruction OF the
best and most beneicent government on
earth In endeavcring to carry their afro
cious purpose into effect, they have
brought upon their souls the guilt of ten
thousand murders.
Before God and man they are answera-
BILE for all the suffering and bloodShed Of
this war History hardly furnishes a par.
allei to the monstrous wickedness. And,
until this hour, not one OF these trutorS ha
been punished Tr kis c,uneS. l know it il
sometimes said that men have Sufferet
enough. even if the penalty of the law il
rcmitted. True, they have suffered bu
only from the chances and casualties o
war-not as traitors. For four years w,
have conceded to them the rights of bellig
ercnts. and when they have fallen int
our hands we have treated them as :
magnanimous Christian people treats pris
oners who are captured in honorable war
fare. But the rebellion is TO collapse, it
armies will be destroyed. and some of it
leaders. ut last, must fall within reach o
the violated law of the land And tin,
administration owes to God and man &;
duty that can only be discharged by met
ing out exact and even-handed justice t,
these arch-traitOrs. Government is a di
vine institution. The powers that he ar
ordained of God. Rulers are Gods min
listers. appointed by him to be 'terO
to e,1l doers.'' no less than protection Il
the innocent and ''praise to them tina
do we'll" 1t is right that the chief exec
utive of nation should have the powe
in certain cases of setting aside the deci
sions of judicial tribunals. But this is
power to be used sparingly. and with wis
discretion. A proclamation of universe
amnesty to traitors. or an arrangement
by which they are allowed to 90 unpml
(ished, would be IN insult and an ipIuStic
to the whole loyal North. More tina
this. it would be an incentive and an en-
couragement to trerson in all future time
As the case now stands, many of til
leaders of this rebellion have gained b
the perjury and treason with which the
have stained their souls Lee, the leade
of the rebel forces. would have RENAME
in an inferior and obscure position but fc
the opportunities afforded him in this wal
: 1t is possible that even jeff. Davis hs
found in the notoriety he has now som
compensation for what he has sutfere
during the last four years. However tn
4 may be, it is only by the punishment
: such men that the government can Wind
: cate its authority, and demonstrate tn;
it possesses the power to etfectually SUI
e press rebellion. And the loyal pre-
N and pulpit Of the country should cor
: bine, and demand of the present admin
tration fulfillment of its OBLIGATIONS
6 We, and our children, and our children
- children, have an interest In seeing I'll
secession devil killed so dead that he W
= never have a resurrection. l am n
pleading for vengeance. l do not a
: that our government should do anythil
= in a spirit of revenge. But our count
~ has been well nigh ruined by weak al
. guilty companions with evil, and we a
y NOW In imminent DANGER of expiating 4