Litchfield enquirer., 1865-05-11
our Washington Correspondence


 WASHINGTON, D. C..
 May 9th, 1865.
 The greatest tragedy of modern times is ac- complished, the dust of our friend the Presi- dent reposes in his last resting place. The mast is past. it remsins for the future to make atonement for the past. The stupor which covered the nation at its late bereavement is lifting itself, and our arm is retaking strength and gathering spirit for punishment, not par don. The old policy of leniency was founded on the belief that rebels were as much mis- guided as wicked, and the change in the tenn per of our intent toward them is owing, not, I trust, to revenge, but 10 a better knowledge of the real animus of the rebellion. This know- ledge late events have afforded us.
 We know now that Jefferson Davis turned no half unwilling ear to the devil who possess ed him, but invited him into council, hung upon his words, embraced his opinions, and brought the experience of hell to shape his plans and envenom his hatred. While success was comparatively probable and reputation with the world was to be valued, the methods of civilized warfare were loudly proclaimed and ostensibly followed. but when hope de parted, nefarious schemes, long plotted, were pushed to consummation with celerity and l malignity that showed how polluted were tho springs of action while they implied fear lest power to strike should waste before crime haG been accomplished Secret organizations ot intricate constitution and large numbers have long existed. Their designs have been nun erous as the thoughts of the wicked. Burning of cities, the lntr roduction of plague, assassin ations, crimes for which there is no names ir the category, and which alarm by the very name either succeeded or were frightfully nes, fulfllment. Every day will make manifes new methods of the revenge the South hoped to wreak upon us Let us trust in God tha our cup is full /; but while we supplicate hin we must keep our powder dry and waRl against further evils. It is left for us to Ac our duty The blood of our brothers cries us from the ground, and it must be atoned fol Future rebels too must learn lesson from th SWlft reir1Dutlou mat mus the reDelS OI 10 day and traitors of today must be arrested in their course, and swept from among us,- while traitors breathe, hell gapes and cart has no rest. On the 9th inst, the trial of tb assassins by military commission commences and doubtless other criminals concerned i the great conspiracy will be comprehended i it's investigation. At every death decreed D that tribunal Justice will breath freer. Ths this nation may be purged of treason througl out its borders must be the fervent prayer c each of us.
 In regard to Connecticut, we are gratife to observe the unamity with which she ha given her vote for the amendment to the Con stitution. That she would ratify it by an CT ormous majority, was always foregone con clusion. but it is pleasant to see that the fe, copperheads yet remaining in her territor have lost courage to hiss.
 Il The glory of our dear old State is preciou to all her sons. She only needs now to guar antee to all the right of suffrage the honorabl privilege of citizenship. If there had bee any justice in refusing the ballot to the negr before he fought for us, there can be no shado, of any now. Let our flag mean indeed libert and justice. so that none can charge Conne' ticut with wrong. T.