Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-05-16

lind no friends or apologists among politicians, the
false chvalry Of the South would very soon learn
better principles and better behavior. But this
can hardly be expected and there seems to be
80 choice left except to provide now, in the meas
ures to DO taken toward tie rehabilitation of the
insurgent states, so FIR as possible against the
political and social evils which this ar,tocratic
spirit ia continually introducing into a republican
form of government. And the most manifest
course to be taken 10 reach this desirable end, is
70 take from these pestilsnt slayeholders their
power for mischief II they cannot rule at home
they will soon become poweress, II 10 their
state ard local politics they can be made Of little
or no account, their principles will not spread, and
their race will not be perpetuated. And by
rebellion against the national authority, they have
given the nation an opportunity to weaken and
destroy their influence, which would never per
haps otherwise have been offered. They are now
all crminal', and liable as such to be prosecuted
for treason. Ole Of the punshmenls which can
be visited upon them is confscation Of property.
Another penalty Of their crime is disqualification
from holding office, civil or military. By the in
fiction OF these puaihments upon the us.igators
aders and abettors Of treason, THEN political con
sequence at home and their ability onfect the
manners q society with their insoIent aud dom.
incerng behavior, viii be taken sw,y, and the
criminal, themselves will either sink into an
gnominious obscurlty, or emigrate to some land
more in sympathy with their undemocratic notions
ADD conduct
And is it not very clearly the duty Of the gov
eminent to use its power to this end2 Men may
be pardoned, or suffered to go unprecedented, il the
public veal is not thereby endangered, but, after
al, the public veal is to be alone considered,
Msn are nothing when weighed against the State.
Hundreds Of thousands Of lives have been given
to save the State from armed treason, and no
tender.hearted clemency should now prevent the
government from taking security fox the future.
If, taking the future into account as well as the
pa'i huu loOhihR ~ LH6 hbIdIb Vi Aub hHJit peo-
pie it may be best to receive any rebel back into
the fold, as though he had never wronged US, no
one 1hould object nor ahould any one object it.
for the same considerations, it should be Judged
best to let justice have its course. And it should
be borne in mind that the rebels are conquered
not penitenti they are not returning prodigal.
who meekly cry that they have sinned against
heaven and in the sigh. Of the government, and
are no more worthy to be called children of the
republic, aud only ask to BE- made its hired ser.
wants. but they are a, naughty rebels as ever, ant
have not yet manifested the least sorrow for their
terrible crime. They acknowledge themseye,
whipped, but express no rcgrst that they ever sell
rebellion on foot. Their heartsare unchanged, anc
they are as ready to day IN inclination, 10 wag,
war upon the old flag as ever before. And they
therefore, have nothing to plead 10 excavation o
their guilt aud have 40 claim for mercy What
eni9ncy is shown thsm should be wholly from
considerations Of natoual policy and as aecin.
the future Of the republic, and not at all from con
siderations Of kindness toward those, sometimel
called, misguided bl. repennnt brethren.