The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-05-20
Punishment of Traitors.


Nov that the rebellion is actually crushed,
and the U. S. government in condition to
20 on and "re-eccupy and possess its lost
property and authority in the rebellious dis
tricts, an animated newspaper discussion is
growing up as to what is to be done with
che rebel leaders. Gerrit Smith, one Of the
purest, best hearted, and most honest men
living, puts in plea for universal pardon
and forgiveness. He addresses letter to
President johnson, and reminding him of
the spirit manifested by our Savior at tn g
cross, says:
"If possessed of this spirit, We shall for
give and forget the wrongs done the North,
and shall feel that the South has suffered
enough, and that she deserves to be soothed,
and comforted, and no more afflicted by US.
Other papers dwell on the beauty, glory
and all that sort of thing, Of a lofty magnan-
unity. Davis, Benjamin, Breckenridge, &c.
they say, are ruined in every respect, and
will not dare to return to the country they
have desolated Ito live in it, but must pass
the res: of their days in exile. How grandly
would it not show the strength Of the Z. S.
10 recognise their impofeney by permitting
them to go or stay as they please!
Another class of papers, chiefly in New
England, famish for blood. They not only
Insist that Davis; and Breckenridge, aud
BENJAMIN, Hunter, Ac., shall be hanged f. r
treason, but cannot see wherein Gen. Lee,
I.L,,.o, e. ora Iouz entity .ba N tho otherS
They would, with Gen. Butler, have a grand
saturnalia of blood, not to stop until the
southern population infected with the seeces-
sion poison is rooted out and the lard re-oc-
cupied by negroes and loyal Yankees.
Between these extremes there ought to be..a
medium 1t has been truly said, that this
government has thus far proved itself equal
to every emergency, except to hang a traitor.
Aaron Burr was acquitted Oh Il technica lily.
The leaders Of the whiskey instruction were
EHet off," The nullifers of South Carolina,
who had actually % levied war against the
United States" were appeared by virtual
concession to their demands. The constitu-
ton says, that men guilty of leyyins war
against the United States, or adhering to their
enemies, &c, shall be adjudged guilty of
treason, and .!shall suffer death" The time,
in our humble opinion, has come when the
government of the United States should
vindicate its majesty BY hanging somebody
for treason. There should not one grain of
crueIy, or bloodthirstiness, or revenge be
allowed to enter into the business. The
whole gang of rebel leaders being broken
down in fortune spirit, Authority and influence,
the public peace and safety require no long
list OF victims. But they require an example
that is ALL The man of all others to serve
az that example, is jeff. Davis. His person
al guilt doubtless was no greater than that Of
hundreds Of others, but in his position, he
embodied the guilt Of all. There would be
an appropriateness about the dignity OF the
victim. Let him be tried in a civil court,
afforded ali the. rights and privileges which
the law has thrown around these accused of
high crimes on their trial, lie: him be convic.
ted by a fair and impartial jury, and then let
the law take its course. And here let that
mighty stream of blood, which commenced
its os. four years 90, little less at the bidd ng
southern traitors than to appease certain
northern fanaticism, stop. The only condition
on which another drop need flow would b, in
case whereof now the rebellion is unquestion-
ably subdued, AID SO acknowledged BY its
leaders, certain men like Kirby Smith and
Magrunder west of the Mississippi should
refuse to succumb to the patent fact, and
persist in waging hopeless contest with the
longer be war, but murder, and they should
be pursued, aud canght, and hung as muir
derers.