The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-06-09
Beaten, bstt UNCHANGED.
BY REV. ALONZO II. OTINT


When, after crimes are committed. VIC
are asked to pardon, the least thing that
should be shown is that the crime is re.
pented of: The strongest compassion for
criminals can hardly ask, for instance, that
the felon should be pardoned out of the
state prison, unless it can be shown that
the character of the felon has changed.
For two reasons: lst. 1t is prerequi-
site to any sympathy. The pardonine
power cannot see an object of clemency in
the man who glories in his crime, and re-
grets only that he failed of success, or Of
personal security. And, secondly, it is
necessary to know that he is not letting
loose upon community one whose heart
will send him to a repetition of the same
outrage. a governor who would ignore
this, is worse than a keeper of menage-
rie who should let loose his tigers.
These sound principles apply to the
Southerners. Our readers do not want
any more evidence that the rebels are
criminals-traitors, robbers, murderers, as
sasslns-than they have had. There may
be men here who see in Jefferson Davis a
statesman: loyal man sees in him only a
perJurer and cut-throat. Some may see
in Lee a soldier of honor; a loyal man
sees in him only the slayer of patriots, and
the Jailer OF starved prisoners. Some may
be such mean funkies as that disgrace to
the noble Christian Commission. those
men who tremendously called to pay
I" their respects" to villain but 10y
al man despiSes him and them-tlem rath-
er than linn.
Now, when this matter of pardon is
urged, we want to see changed spirit on
the part of the criminals. We want some
assurance, SO far, at least, as the word of
these lying scoundrels can give the mock
cry OF assurance, that they have seen the
error of their ways. We would reaSona-
bly ask, were YOU right or wrong? Would
you do the same thing again in the same
circumstances UW You do it again ii
the opportunity comes? That is what we
want to know.
So far, think all their utterances NAV
be searched IN vain, to find Il single express
sion OF repentance. We do find oatllS of
allegiance here and there, but they are un-
accompanied by any evidence of repent
ance. We know perfectly well from ex-
perience, what these oaths are worth. We
used to find the worst villains in the very
men who had taken the oath. II was no
figure of speech that the soldier used, when
he said, Us they were looking at Il snake
somebody had caught. administer the
oath and let him GO" -" That was wha,
we used to do with the worst and wicked
est traitors, and We found the necessary
result A.: spies, cheats and enemies under
Union projections.
In the whole spirit of these men since
our victories, what do we see! They con-
tess. many of them, that the cause of the
Contederacy is hopeless. Not all. Wade
Hampton denies even L" that the South i.
worsted.' He still literally persists in the
old gasconade that - one Southerncr can
whip three Northern men." Lee saws
that there are still undevelopcd re>our-
ces, and that the loss of his army, though
a severe blow, is not the destruction of the
Contederacy." That much of this twad-
die is the usual Southern brag. is, of course
TO be supposed; but it shows their hate.
The spirit of the rebels is still the sam,
that it was in the opening of the contest
They have not renounced 4 single view
they then held. Lee still says that ther,
was ga legitimate cas,ls beM" If ther,
is an evidence that one of them has giver
up their ideas of state sovereignty, or o
the right of secession, or of the rightfu
authority of the Confederate government
l have yet TO see it. have seen soldier.
lately from the glorious old Second, who
say that there is no loyal feeling anon.
the Southern whites; and they ought (,
know, after their splendid campaign from
Atlanta to Savannah, and Savannah tC
Goldsboro'. They say that that country
must be held simply as a conquered land
"What has Mr.. Davis DONE" says lie,
g more than other Soutlerners, that he
should be punished }" In one sense he il
right, viz, that they are all alike. But IL
the sense he means it he shows that h,
believes that no crime has been committed
no wrong done and no punishment deserv
ed. That is, there is no such >uffense a
treason. Has anybody seen any ditfercn
utterance? Has anybody heard from ;
single rebel, an expression of the feclin.
that there was no cause for the war. an,
that secession was wrong in principle
In the very method some of these fellow
propose-that of having the state legisla
lures repeal the secession ordinances, 81
as 10 relieve the minds of the people
there is the assumption that the act of Sc
cession was legal, and that the people still
believe SO.
Look at Lees final address to his sur
rendered army. Was there ever anythin,
more insulting to the nation! For
general in a traitor army to tell his sol
diers how they have fought for their coun
try-that such phrase could be writtel
by man who knew they had been fight
ing their country for four years, and mur
dering its sons-is only as astonishing a
that the authoritier should allow sue
barefaced treason to be published by
criminal.
1t is true that on the assassination {
the President many of these MOURN
They disclaim all approval Of such
crime No Doubt many are truly SINGER