Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-04-26
VOL. 11.--NO. 81.
What He Thinks Of Traitors.

On the announcement of the capture OF
Richmond, in Washington, President John
son was called upon by vast concourse of
people, who were rejoicing over the event,
when he made the following pointed re-
marks:
AS | have been introduced | will make
one or two remarks, for | feel that no one
would be justified In attempting TO make an
address on such an occasion, when the ex-
element Is justly at so great hight.
I'VE are now, my friends, winding up
rebellion, great effort that has been made
by bad men TO overthrow the Government
of the United States, government founded
upon free principles. and cemented by the
best blood of the Revolution. Cheers
Y You must indulge me in making one single
remark in connection with myself At the
time that the traitors in the Senate
of the United States plotted against the
government and entered into conspiracy
more foul, more execrable, and more odious
than that of Cataline against the Romans,
| happened to be member OF that body,
and, as to loyalty, stood solitary and alone
among the Senators from the Southern
States. | was then and there called upon
to know what | would do with such traitors,
and | want TO repeat my reply here. l said,
if We had an Andrew jackson he would
hang them as high as Haman. As humble
as | am and have been, / have pursued but
one, undertaking course. All that L have
life, limb and property-haye been put az
the disposal of the country in this great
struggle | have been in camp, | have
been in the field, have been everywhere
where this great rebellion was | have pur-
sued 1t until | believe [ can see its termina-
ton. Since the world began, there never
has been rebellion of such gigantic pro-
portions, so infamous In character, so dia-
bolieal in motives, so entirely disregardful
Of the laws of civilized war 1t has intro
duced the most savage mode of warfare ever
practiced upon the earth.
''One word more, and | have done 1t is
this: | am in favor of leniency; but, in my
opinion, evil doors should be punished.
Cries of That's so. Treason is the
crimes; and for him that is guilty of it
for him that is willing TO lift his impious
hand against the authority of the nation
| would say death Is too easy punishment
Loud Cheers. My notion is that treason
must he made odious, that traitors must be
punished and impoverished, their social
power broken, though they must be made
to feel the penalty of their crimes You,
my friends, have traitors in your very midst,
and treason needs rebuke and punishment
here as well as elsewhere 1t il not the
men in the field who are the greatest trait
tors. 1t is the men who have encouraged
them TO imperIl their lives, while they
themselves have remained at home expend-
ing their means and exerting all their pow
er to overthrow the Government. Hence
say this-''t the halter to intelligent, infu-
ential traitors Loud cheers. But to
the honest boy to the deluded man. who
has been deceived into the rebel ranks, /
would extend leniency. | would say,
return to your allegiance. renew your sup
port TO the Government, and become good
citizen; but the leaders | would hang
Great cheering I hold, TOO, that wealthy
traitors should be made TO remuneI ate those
men who have suffered as consequence of
their crimes-Union men who have lost
their property, who have been driven from
their homes. beggars and wanderers a.
mong strangers.