The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-11-29
The Execution of Wirz.


We cannot disguise the fact that the telegrFr Ec b
nouneement that Wirz had been executed ser n Thrill
OF pain through our heart. Not that it Speetsd
for we have long forseen that this man was dc med
the bloody sacrifce-nor vet because STUDY hi
trial has convinced that he not guilt Of .h
charges against him. for have never had the eeura
to go through with the perusal of that long and
testimony The pang we experienced had no reference
to his guilt innocence, the keeper Of mlJitnr,
prison. 1t was the pang of mortalan extorta6 Iib
ute of pain TO the weakness and the wickedness
taty. There terrible outcry throughout he con,
quering north against alleged Confederate cruelty
federal prisoners owar There thirst for
Whlch only blood could appease and TO that cry and
/ that thirst the human being Wrz given. tie suL
tered to satisfy public seutment-a false sentiment.
educated IN the heat and bitterness of raging aud
too deeply rooted to vanish before truth so 500 after
Its close Wlrz prisoner gf himself; was ugs
the life of the surrendered and unarmed s. cred a
the hands of the conquerors2 Has not mtary CON-
mission slain prisoner? We think and speak not
as Confederate, but an American, restored o ME
ted States citizenship, and bound by solemn oagA
bear its government true allegiance:
We speak in the reflected light of coming history and
we feel that light falling upon us In condemnatiol ihg
deed, and marking stain upon our American annals
And IN the process of rentegratng these disme1HFee
States, is it right and tha til should be ont
spoken truth on both sides? We are not pachiug gP
hollow truce. The satesman's effort is to bad tho
States together once more in the bonds of prin,1e II
sincerity and sympathy. Truth without reserve IS gh0
sole, broad fountain upon which the statesman build
his durable structures. Now, therefore, that the cry Of
the radical north for victim has been answered IL s
surely not the part of wise craftsmanship to side tho
effects Of the sacrifice at the south, and leave hem
corrode and rankle in secret in southern hearts
Better to speak out and vent the 'perilous stuff
feeling and come back to the brotherhood of States
with upright forms and open manly faces, speaLng the
manly TRUTH than as coWardy; dlscbntented bTc0luE
and sneaking consprators. We know there is % party
of men at the north who think the south will oug
fitting companions of their citizenship, when all their
pride and spirit crushed ont of the and its people
crawl on their bellies and reGnter the Temple OF yau
Nation; by crooked paths which honor disdans Bub
those are but party while the body Of the north invites
in nnlit
and proud men.
The south is conquered, but not degraded If H waro
otherwise the north should spurn It from its political
fellowship. Guilty or innocent then the truth demands
the avowal that the execution of Wirz is an event u
has struck hard and painful blow upon our hearts
not southerners only but as Americans and n1rfas
1t Is political executon-the execution of a prisoner
of war. He and Champ Ferguson and Magrudcr and
the boat burners stand out clearly in their own Fences
in distinct contrast with those assassins who coWm.d
murder upon the person of the late president Lnton
They the commissioned officers OF poTef aC-
knowledged to be belligerent The surrender Of fhe
swords aud persons placed them under the sacrea pro-
tectng 9gis of the laws of nations.
Was Wirz hard and cruel jailor? How many hearts
IN the land have been Wrung IN the perusal OF letters
from sons and brothers in northern prisons, wGEnF
forth their suferngs from the pangs Of cold and hum
ger, and praying for food and covering? Who here
does not feel that the fearful account is than bal
anced in favor of the north without further btodgrcd
after the sword is sheatted Men are eufnniaDdtd bW
of the begerents to burn the transports aud boats
OF the other begeeen and for this act of they
army, with colors flying and drums beating IN nh or
wars magnfcently stern array" burned an desc.
lated in every foot of his march through two whole
States.
Is not the account settled, and did not the christian
world expect from the boasted civisation and eulir
ment of the American nation, that when the sword
dropped the gbbet would not be raised? In any point
OF vieW whether question of political economy
as that looks to the unsullied name which this great
nation is to hand down to history it is fearful aud
painful blunder We trust that this is to be II last ut
military commissions armed with the power of life aud
death over political prisoners. The chace is full TO
the brm and oyerfowng. Let us hasten back 10 tho
constitutional ark and approach the day when le
eagle having folded his wings and east The arrows from
his talons we shall know only the dove of peace 5aur
ing the olive branch in his beak Mobile Advertiscr
EPIscoPAL CLERGyMEN BEHIND THE SCENES pbiia-
delphia paper tells aughabc story Of incl5s Of
the recent episcopal convention Iii that city z party
Of FIVE clergymen set out to attend the inau -uraou
exercises of the American Union convention, which
were, they understood to be held at the Academy of
Music. The place of meeting had been changed ta
anther hall but of this they knew nothing Considering
themselves entitled to seats the PLATFORM the reye
end gentlemen entered by the stage door They TaEtd
rapidly by the dOorkeeper-who miStook ,1elu
or Edwin Forrest-and said good evGning,' and we're
iiers in paper helmets. Snake less noise YOU Be
heard in 'front.'" said gruff scene-shifter and tc
happy cergymen discovered that Mr. and Mrs Charles
< can were playing Hamlet and Gertrude clos Jgsde
hem, and that only thin partition separated
hem from actors and audience. OF course they beat
TASTY retreat Just in time to avoid having their black
oats and white ties exhibited to the assemb ed thgu
and by change of the scenes.