Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1865-08-05
NUMBER 80.
The Pleaders for Traitors.

armies has put an eEd to the rebellion, anu
brought into the hands of the Government au-
thorties large number of the leaders AMI IN
stigators of the horrible and bloody war which
has for the past four years been so furiously
raging. there has sprung up new sect of time
servers sect who, if they were left alone by
their plaintive appeals to the tenderer feeling OF
Americans. to their pity and compassion in be-
half of the defeated rebel leaders, would be pro-
nuunced the most sympathetic and humane OF
human kind. But il is not always safe to listen
to the syren voice of the pleader for mercy, with
out f,thoming his motive. 1t is often very IN
structive to consider who the peader is, and his
relation to the object of your sympathy The
new sect which has sprung up to plead for the
life and unrestrained liberty of JEFF. Davis Co.,
is composed of the English Aristocracy and
Northern Copperheads, together with sprink-
ling of the old time abolitionists of the Horace
Greeley and Gerrit Smith stripe. Are they the
ones we would expect to hear arguing the cause
of mercy out of sympathy for an unfortunate
Did the English nobemen who are now in Europe
trying TO raise feeling of sympathy for jeff
and his fellow fends, advising our Government
for the sake of humanity, and for reasons of good
policy, to let those murderous traitors go scot
free and denouncing the punishment OF such
deep-dved Williams, for their crimes and acts OF
barbaritv did they ever raise their voices against
the torture of prisoners in English hands! NO.
In 1857, the English papers teemed with accounts
of the most horrible and unnatural punshments,
practced by English soldiery upon an abused
people for trying TO throw off the yoke OF their
oppressors One account is enough to sicken
the least sensitive:
On the 10Th of June, at Peshawar, forty men
were tried convicted and sentenced to be blown
from the guns. The execution was dreadful
sight Three sides of square were formed by
British troops, and in the center ten guns were
planted, pointing outward. A prisoner was
bound to each gun, his back placed against the
muzzle and his arms fastened firmly to the wheel.
The signal was given, and the salvo was fired
The discharge. of course, cuts the BODY in two
and the human trunks, heads, legs and arms may
be seen for an instant flying about in every dl-
rection As there were only ten guns used on
this OCCASION the mutilated criminals had to be
removed four times. The scene and stencil were
overpowering. Precaution was not taken to re-
move the sponge-and-load men from the muzzles
of the guns. The consequence was that they
were greatly despatched with blood. All these
forty criminals met their fate with the exception
of two and to save time, they were dropped to
the ground and their brains bowed out with
musketry.
Against such unheard of cruelty, such afro
cous and cod-blooded murder, Lords Brougham
and Derby never were known to raise their
voices but now they come pleading for the free
dom of the assassin, Jeff. Davis 1t cannot be
through spirit of mercy that they do it. No
it is to bring the American Government into dis
repute to stir up a feeling of revenge in the
hearts of rebels who do go free to bring, if they
can, from merited dungeons and chains, traitors
who will prove "A pest and ii scourge to the great
Republic and who will serve to weaken the
Government which the nations of Europe and
Great Britain particularly envy and fear. And
the other pleaders for traitors. is 1t through mo-
tives of humanity that they cry out . Let the
traitors go?' They had no pity for the murder
dered men at Fort Pillow neither did the stary-
ing emaciated forms. the tottering steps, I'M
earthly stare, and hollow voices of the prison
ers of Salisbury and Andersonville touch their
hearts They never denounced the burning OF
Northern cities the carving of infected clothing
into them to spread disease and death, and no
words of condemnation they uttered against the
rebel Who with satanic fiendiShness. placed the
torpedo in the coal which was to send the steam
er with its precious freight of human life to in
slant and terrible destruction. No. not one word
did those wrctches who are now crying inhuman-
itv and barbarity to vanquished foe, say in
behalf of humanity when humane feelings should
have been shown. They are not now prompted
bv humane feelings for love OF country, TO
plead the cause of the traitors. 1t is to aid the
purposes of traitors now in their last extremity.
rs for the past four years they have applauded
and covertv aided them to make martyrs of
/ criminals. that they come forward rs champions
| for humanity. Poor champions. indeed But
why is it that the venerable Greeley and that
great Champion of Justice, Gerrt Smith, come
| forward and oppose the punishment of traitors
! protest against making - treason odious?" 1t
! is fanaticism, nothing more nothing less. Men
| of that strpe-men who believed the Constitu-
ton to be = league with death and covenant
with He'll, because it recognized slavery-are
fit persons to plead for the pardon of those who
have shed rivers of blood in trying to perpetuate
that institution
The truly humane man, the man who abhors
war; injustice and cruelty, and .who is ever ready
to support the right, says . Hang the leading
traitors -! make treason odious - 1t is the
only way to prevent the recurrence of such scenes
of carnage, outrage and murder, as we have just
experienced Those who urge the pardon of the
whole traitorous crew. are those who wish the
country no good.-Gold HILL NeWs.