The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-06-03
OVERRIDING Punishment.

The chief objec: of punltory laws Is to pre-
vent the rept ttion of crime and wrong do
ing. 1t makes an example terror to all
but ceases to punish when the object has
be III obtained Taking broad view, who
will CO stend that we have again soon to ieai
a rebellion in the United states? Who
looking at The state of things at tie South
can see any thing but signs OF utter sub.
missiveness to tie power OF the Union, aud
! signs not only of utter WEAKNESS with the war
it has been waging, but OF hearty regret and
sorrow that it ever .,rovoked that war? The
! punishment the South has already ieit will be
/ burnt into the memories of all her soEs.
| Some may deem it of i'seli enough, without
! recourse 10 the eXercls OF what cannot but
be deemed as the just rig ght OF our government
to take the lives OF one or many OF the chiefs
in the revolt.
Executions for political offences have be-
come rare occurrences with the Western Eu-
ropean nations. In. numerous later revolu-
tions in France, no political offenders have
suffered death, ,Lough some have been de-
ported. Aud many have though that his ex-
ample would be followed here at the close OF
the war. Banishment answers every purpose,
supposins that the obnoxious persons would,
by u residence in the Unit d States, stir up
| further revolt. But it appears to US that the
general feeling OF OR people must favor the
Opiulon that neither death nor deportation is
necessary, since, perhaps, ior the future, the
most harmless people in the county Will be
the ry worst OF rrbe!s. These me n Will al
ways be viewed with us;,icior and aver,ei
eyes, and will be totally without iufuence.
Ii our Government goes 1ehimd the present
century for example, 1t ma, perhaps, be JustI-
fled IN taking that oi the E.igii,h rcpubiicin
period, when the enIhity to usurped power
cumteuted itself with smlting the great head
of that usurpation. The execution ior treason
of JEFFEEsoS DAVIS would, III many other
material respects, find its parallel IN the exc
cu,ion of CHARLES THE FIRST.
If other examples are TO be made, the
dls;culsy will be in d .ciding where to stop
the hand of the hangman. II the civil heads
OF the revolt are to be brought low, then why
not the military? But is the death OF
large number OF the rebels necessary? Does
the public safety, either present or tuiure, re-
Uuire this sacrifice OF iite =? CannOtthe siabil-
nv OF our Union and its Immediate or future
peace be secured without it
We are not arguing The case as one OF
mercy TO or any consideration OF the rebels
We look at it only in the light Of what Is due
10 itself and 10 themselves hy our Govern.
meEt and people.
In TINS connection We call attention TO the
views expressed by the poet, JOu' " WHIT
TIER, a naa who, whether regarded A an
ADolt:on!st Or = devoted alIcrelI oi the
Union. has u firmly estab isaed reputation:
.iu dealing with the gLi y lead IS II
iuii.;.tors O h t,llioA. We should b "..le
bow We ke counsel ., passion huutd .
no ulacc beside the calm and ;wrui Gis"iiy
OF iusticc. Human life IS still very sacrei
thing; Christian foi Le france aud patience
are sl,Il virtues. For my own part, should
be satisfied To see tie chiefs 0! the great
Treason. go out from among Us homeless,
eNiled forever, with the curse otCiIn oL
tleir toreheads, carrying with them, wherev::
er .hey W, the avenpng Nemesis oi con
science We cannot take lessons, at tins late
dav, in their school OF barharlsm; We cannot
st;rve ard torture them as they have starved
and tortured our soidie-s. Let them live.
Perhaps that Is, alter all, the most terrible
peul!ty For wherever ,hey hide themselves
the story OF their guilt ~i!i pursue them they
can have no rest nor peace save III that deep
repentance, ~hIch, throNs the mercy OF Eod
Is possible even Tor them.
i nave no disposition TO stand between
these men and JUS ICE. II arrested iney can
have no claim 10 exemption irJm TIE AaUiii'
tie. of Criminals. But II Is not simply "a
question oi their deserts that l. 10 he con
sIdered 9sc are to take into account our own
reputation ;is d Christian people, the wishes
OF our hes, fr.enCs .brual, AID tie Lumane
instincts ostl. age. which forbid all unnec.
essary severity. Happii. We axe rot called
upon to take counsel vi our ieafs. haooihic-
III writer's tell Us that the evil spirits who are
one. batfi i in a contest with human teIngS
lose from henceiorin all power oil further mis-
.chiei. The defeated rebels are in tn precise
condition Of these Jewish lemons. Deprived
os si..verr, they are wasps who have lost
their sling.