Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-07-07

We receive some letters suggesting evasons
of the spirit Of General Grants and the kindred
agreements whereby the rebels armies were sur
rendered and paroled. and insisting that those
thus shie ded may nevertheless be arrested, tried
and punished as traitors We would simply ad
wise all who hug any such deusion 10 their
bosoms that our Government manifestly has a
different theory from theirs-in our view, thou
sand times more upright and just. Had it be
leved the rebel military leaders subject to prose
cu,ion for treason notwithstanding the terms OF
General Grants agreement, il would doubtless
have arrested them long ago. The fact that il
has not eeen III to do so should be accepted as
conclusive.
But" says one of these quibblers, " General
Grant had 40 power TO stipulate universal am
nesty." Very well; admit it. What he did was
TO accept OF and agree to surrender on con
ditions-conditions proposed by himself Just
look them once more in the face:
This the surrender done, each officer and
man will be allowed to return TO their homes,
no, to be disturbed by United States authority,
so long they observe their parole and the laws
in force where they reside"
Can there be any doubt as to the proper
force and meaning of these words! ii you can
conceive any, just look at this passage IN Gen
Grants letter to Gen. Lee just prior to the sur
render aforesaid:
"The terms upon which peace can be had are
we'll understood By the South LAYING down
their arms they will hasten that most desirable
event, save thousands Of human lives and hun
dreds Of millions of property not yet destroyed.
Sincerely hoping that all our difficulties NAV
be settled without the loss Of another life sub.
scribe myself
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
L s. GRANT
Lieut.. Gen. L. ; \ i"
Can you imagine that our Government will
attemp. TO wriggle out Of the plain intent and eff
feet of this language If you can, you only es
tablish your own infamv, not that Of your rulers.
Even il they had no regard for good faith thoy
would shrink from exposing themselves 10 the
execrations Of the civilized world
Bat did no; General Grant exceed his pow
ersi"
That eayil comes too late. IL vas indeed
competent for the Government to disalov Gen
Grants convention with Gen. Lee. as il did Gen
sherman 5 fret arrangement With Johnston. But
this right. as far as 1t extended, must be exer-
ciscd (as Il was In The Sherman Johnston case
on tho instant. or not at all Having virtually
accepted aud approved Gen Grants terms Of
captulation. by accepting the fruits thereof our
Government vas nevermore ~ liberty 10 tepud
ate that agreement, or any part VI H. IL became
il own acc. IN every respect aud particular. 40
fully "a II II bad been originally proposed by the
President aud agreed 90 10 a meeting o, tho
Cabinet
We do not suppose there u any dissent OF dc
mnr among intelligent persons 10 What we have
stated. We know 10 Journal Of any character
ths, disputes them. though several may have
seemed 10 DO 80, While pahdsiug 10 ignorance
and popular passion. Aud We most tcspectfull,
COUNSEL the European friends mot the enemles)
OF our National cause not % distress themselves
with spprchensious OF any Wholesale butehery OF
the discounted rebels under the authority OF our
Government There was danger ior a moment.
that the jus, aud general Indignation aroused by
President Loncon's assassination would drive
bis successor Into course which would, 10
ealmef hours. be deeply regretted. bu,lhc gust
OF passion has spen, Us force. aud tho peril u
evoked has passed away forever New York
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