Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-04-25
The End or the Rebellion and the
Punishment OF Traitors.

funiSnment or traitors.
1t must be gratifying TO every true
friend Of bis country, TO koow that by
the surrender OF Lees army, the last
hope Of the rebel government 10 gone
forever, the rebellion IN ended. While
we have not destroyed al the rebel
armies, the movements Of Union forces
in various quarters are such as very soon
to compel the surrender OF the last rebel,
or his fnal determination. The most
important and delicate question TO solve
is, what will be the policy Of the Govern.
ment towards these fends in human
shape, Who have inaugurated this hellish
rebellion, and have. caused so much
trouble and distress in this once happy
country, and who are guilty in the full
est sense Of the high crime Of treason.
There are many wsll-meaning, loyal
aud consistent Union men who are i'm
pressed. with q false idea Of humanity
who are in favor Of restoring these muir
derers and cut-throats to all their former
rights as citizens Of this great Republic,
which they have plainly forfeited by this
war upon its constituted authorities, and
therefore should abide the consequences
Of the violation of the law which they
assisted in forming.
This, no doubt, would be regarded by
some Of the rebels as magnaninous,
merciful, humane, generous-moro than
they expected; at least more than they
deserved. No doubt they would be truly
grateful for the clemency of the Execu-
tive, Cor his kindness in shielding them
from the sword of justice, and in future
remain true and loyal citizens; but
while there are probably very few such
there are much larger number who
are ready to take, and have taken, the
amnesty oath, and with the very next
breath curse the President and Govern
ment, and do everything in their power
to injurs It and aid its enemies; many
nov act thus in our own city, who have
served the rebel Government and been
permitted through the kindness Of the
late President to return and to enjoy tho
protection of generous and humane
Government, although they have been
engaged for years in shooting down our
friends and probably murdered some of
them in cold blood, CT starved them in
their filthy prisons. No doubt some Of
them rejoiced heartily at the reception
of the news OF the assassination Of our
late worthy and smiable President.
But would this be acting with msgnAn
unity, with justice, to our brave soldiers
who have periIled their lives to sustain
the Republic2 No Justice to them,
justice to the nation, to the:Constitution
and laws, to society, to the world, to civ
il aud religious liberty, to the friends of
those who have fallen in this hellish re-
bellion, the widows and orphans of our
brave soldiers, and to the many who
have been disabled by wounds or dis
ease through life, in consequence Of this
wicked rebellion, all demand that an ex.
ample should be made of at least the
leaders of rebellion. This should be
done rs an indemnity for the future
peace aud happiness Of the nstiou, and
warning to all violators Of the laws Of
the nation.
1
II is the duty of every true friend of
the country, aud the brave boys who
have risked their lives for it, TO
speak out in language which cannot be
misunderstood, aud demand that these
devils in human form. who have been
guilty OF drenebing the land in sea OF
blood, and have eutailed sn immense
debt upon the country, have caused uD-
told sorrow and suffering throughout
the land, shall be properly punished for
their crimes.
In February, 1868, the United States
Government caused Ss Indian savage:
to be executed. who were found guilty o
numbering 700 or 500 men, women an(
children. These we're Indian savages
no, civilized human beings, chivalrous
high-born Southern gentlemen. as III
rebels claim TO be. Yet some men ant
influential papers In the North, with al
the facts Of their treason and guilt befor
them, ask for coneilliation, for pardon Q
these traitors They wish them full
: restored to power, with all the rights an
privileges they possessed before the wal
Think of Beauregsrd, Davis, Lee, HuI
ter and such like to be permitted to tax
their seats in the Senate and Congress {
the United States, TO legislate and er
T. act laws for the government Of the Toys
people of this nationl
. 1t would Be an Insult 20 every loy'
man in the country. These men, instea
y of being guilty of the murder Of q fe
ct hundred, have murdered hundreds I
- thousands, and brought untold snfferin
and distress on the country
The american people can not perm
a general pardon to men who have dor
:. them SO much injury five permit the,
men to go unpunishetl, we would far be
ter repeal alr laws on Our statute boOl
's relating TO the punishment Of crime
Wewould then, at least, show some co
sistsncy. This is one of our gre
& national sins-permitsing men to viols
lar our laws with impunity, and then