Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-06-02
THE TRIAL AND PUNISHMENT OF
TIE STATE PRISONERS.


Now that many persons have been arrested
for their participation in the rebellion the
Government will soon be required TO develop
its policy in reference to the punishment Of
those who may be convicted Of treason. In
doing 10 there are certain considerations
which cannot be disregardcd.
l. The MmRbcy Of SnconfioMS must he Inn.
1tcd, There are in the country several thou
sand persons who can be convicted If the
crime Of treason. Tho majority of these can.
not he tried The indictments even will be
limited to the leaders in the civil aud mill
tAry movements Of the rebels, II Is doubtful
whether the Government will proceed against
any below the grade Of general Ia, the army,
and that of civil officers criminal proceedings
viii be confined 20 the socRlled President,
Cabinet, Congress, Judges, and Governors,
These constitute n list of from three to Ave
hundred men. Only few Of these will suffer
the death penalty. The President may par.
don the remainder, or he may commute their
punishment with such limitations upon their
personal and political rights as ho may think
necessary.
2, Those MOHh 6s p"HiShGd oapifaHy
WROSc crCeRtioH is essential 10 MC IHfHn
pdacs Of TIC OHNiry. 1t is, US il seems to US,
quite clear that the rebel leaders arc now and
hencelorth altogether pOwerless to disturb
seriously the peace Of the country. Are,
then, all these men to escape with their
lives Certainly not But we cannot execute
all the guilty nor can we execute criminals
upon any theory that may be entertained oI
their relative guilt, nor upon the strength
OF direction Of the public judgment. Tn,
end sought is security against another re
bellion. How shall this end bo reachod2 BY
the inliction Of the death penalty upon those
who are c-ominently the leaders Of the re
bellion. Who arc they DAVIS and LEI
are unquestionably of this class II thes,
men suffer death the country will understand
and ambitious men will understand, that they
who become the leaders Of a rebellion ar,
sure to suffer death in case of the failure 0
the undertaking,
Without leaders spirit and purpose o
rebellion cannot be so organized us to he
come dangerous. The trial, conviction, sen
tence and execution Of DAVIS and LIE ar,
the needed example and warning for all time
DAVIS was the head Of the civil government
and Of the army and navy. LEE was tn,
general in chief in the field Considered
morally, they may not be guilty bryonJ
many Others, but the positions thoy ocoupicl
mark them as the responsible leaders,
The formal trial and execution Of CuARI.E'
has been warning to every monarch VIII,
has since sat upon tho British throne. Tn,
execution Of DAVIS and LEE will be warn
ing 10 every ambitious and discontontod mar
that the leader Of an unsuccessful rebellion
is sure to suffer death. This Is the only So
curity that eau be taken by the agency Of the
gallOws for the future tranquility of the
country. Let this security bo taken, and
thon let the olemency Of the Executive be
exercised in reference TO all others.
In these remarks we have not referred Ia
the persons who may have participated in
the murder of MIR. LISCoLN. OF these, ll
who are convicted should suffer death