The tri-weekly herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-05-31


a coward courageous, and to win merit in the
discharge of his duties. repeat, that I most
fully respond to all that you have said, and con-
cur most fully, especially in the idea that this
Government has been sent on admission, and
that the mission has not been fulfilled, and that
the history of this country shall demonstrate that
this nation, as it moves aleDg down the stream
| of time, is TO be permanent as the sun. 49,.
! start, sir-though it may be considered by
some as kind Of Wild enthusiasm or supersti
tion-vith the idea that this Government was
| founded By our fathers upon great principle Of
right-that it was founded upon the principles Of
free government proper, with the essentials and
| leading principles running through it. It vas
sent here upon great mission, which has not
yet been fulfilled but in its onward and upward
course it will carry out its mission, and establish
the great principle Of free government not only
here but throughout the civilized world, be.
lieve, IN the midst Of my superstition, if it may
be called such, or, in other words, have reli-
ancs and abiding faith, that there is great
principle Of right which lies at the foundation Of
all things. IbeHeve that time will come when
this nation, instead Of being the recipient, it has
been for considerable length Of time, Of arts,
or sciences, and Of religion from the other quar-.
cers of the globe, and of enigrants of every kind:
/ and Of every complexion, will become the radia-
ting point, the centre from which will proceed
arts, science and religion to our brothers through
ont the civilized world. We have been sent on
great mission and that mission must be fulfilled.
| We lock at this gigantic rebellion, and see that
the Government has struggled with it and car
sied it along and just at the time we believe,
and substantially know, that the rebellion vas
about to be ended, and the nation Was rejoicing,
with its banners unfurled and its artillery thun.,
dering through every town and hamlet through
out the length and breadth OF the confedoraGF~5'
then, in the midst of jubant feelings and the ex-
ultation Of free people, the chief magistrate is
struch like star from its sphere, in death. Eere
we receive an intimation Of the eternal principle
that sent forth this Goyernment-ths Govern
ment rejoicing on the one hand q rebellion
crushed, and on the other mourning at its chief
| slain and though presidents may give way in
regular succession, still this Government will
move on, and in the end carry out lis mission
among the nations.
| / cannot but say, and in saying so it Is mere
! repetition Of what has been expressed before,
| that the time has come with this Government
when crime shall be understood. We are taught
! in all the States, and even in the courts Of the
! United States, that the commission of various of.
fences are crimes. Arson is crime, burglary is
crime, murder is crime. The time has come
! when the people shall be educated and taught TO
understand that treason IS a crime. And not
only crimey but the highest of crimes. We look
| upon the assassination Of the President-thiS d.
abolic&l and fendish act which has been recently
committcd-as the highest crime and the mind
canno. conceive the penalty commensurate with
! it. 1t is a deed for which the human mind can
not invent a penaitysevere enough. To assas-
sinate the President. The assassins, in the garb
and shape Of treason, have lifted their impious
arms against the Government Under which they
live. will say, in rhis connection in reference, ,,
as you have just remarked, as 70 my future poll.
cy, tat if my past course upon various public
questions that have come up, and especially since
this rebellion commenced, IS any indication or
evidence to yeu of what my future will be, any
professions nov must be unnecessary. So far as
regards my action in the disposition or winding
up this great drama, my past life must be taken
as some indication Of my future. In the pro-
gress Of this question, in bringing it to close,
| when Justice is meted out, and it becomes neces.
ssry to exercise mercy and lenience, We shall be
sure to discriminate and ascertain what Is mercy,
because sometimes mercy, uisconeeived and ex-
ercised improperly, results in ruin Of States and
men. = -
| Tit is right and proper to take awsy the life
of one individual for destroying that Of another.
what shall be done With those Rhe destroy the
life of the nstion?. Treason must be punished
as the highest crime kRown to the law. Some have
committed treason, technically speaking. Thou
sands and thousands have been taken from their
homes upon one cause or other; sometimes by
consumption, sometimes by force of public opin.
ion, sometimes miSled by leaders. Iwould say,
in the exercise of mercy, try to make the proper
discrimination visiting the penalties Of treason
on the conscious, intelligent, misleading traitor,
and extending lenieaey to the great mass Of the
deceived. Gentlemen, all can say, and gil can
promise you after referring to my past, that in
| ascertaining what ny future will Ebe in thu dis
charge ofnly duties in the administration Of the
Government, all will be: deneia proper spirit,
think, and in accordance with my best ability.
There may be some who would perform those
duties with mere signal ability than can; but
there is one thing, sir, Of which assure you and