The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1866-03-08
Why Don't TheyP

While rebels and rebel-sympathizers
persist in constituting the constitution
and laws most favorable to themselves,
and are ut the same time 50 clamorous
and cxacting in their demands for what
they conceive to be the benefits conferred
on them by the law; why do they not,
Ut least hint something concerning the
enforcement Of the penalties Of the law,
to which they are liable? When traitors
are suppliants for executive clemency,
modesty, if not policy, would seem to
suggest, that they ought not be very ex-
travagant in their demands touching
other matters. When man has made
himself liable to the penalties of the law
for treason, it would seem to one of Or
binary faculties that he ought not make
much disturbance about the legal obli
cations of others, or ask many favors of
community, until he has settled up his
own delinquencies. An unpardoncd
rebel is In no shape for urging the resto-
ration of all his social and political priv
ileges. Rebellious communities have no
right to complain if their admission to
full privileges in the Union, are deferr-
ed for time, or if proper guarantees are
required of them.
Andrew johnson is very much excit-
ed of late in regard to the admission of
the Representatives of the rebellious
States. Why does he not exercise him
self about the punishment of rebels
In his speech, to a delegation Of citizens
Of Illinois, Immediately after his inaug-
uration, he gave utterance to the follow
ing language:
"The American people must be taught
If they do not already feel-that trca-
son il a crime and must be punished;
that the Government will not always
bear with its enemies; that it is strong,
not only to protect, but to punish When
we turn to the criminal code and exam
inc the catalogue OF crimes, we there
find arson laid down as, II crime with its
appropriate penalty; we find there theft
and robbery and murder given us
crimes; and there, too, we find the last
anu highest of all crimes-treason. With
other and inferior offenses our people are
familior. But in our peaceful history
treason has been almost unknown. The
people must understand that it is the
blacklist of crimes, and will be surely
punished. l make this ailusion not to
excite the already eXasperated feelings
of the public, but to point out the prin-
ciples Of public justice which should
guide our action ut this particular Juno
ture, and which accord with sound pub
lie morals. Let it be engraven on every
heart that treason is q crime, and traitors
shall suffer its penalty. While we are
appalled,, overwhelmed ut the fall of one
man In our midst by the hand of a trait
or, shall we allow men-l care not by
what weapons-to attempt the life of the
State with impunity? While we strain
our minds to comprehend the enormity
Of this assassination, shall we allow the
nation to be assassinated ;"
Now It would seem that the execution
OF the Laws would fall more within the
Prsaidents Jurisdiction, than the admis-
saon q Representatives to Congress, or
the establishment Of State governments:
and yet we do not hear Of the President.
or those h favor Of his policy having
msds- any. complaint becsnse leadina
rsbeas ars not punished. When the
President Shall have manifested dispo-
dtion - punish Jsf Davis, for whose
az1sst - oaarsd $100, 900, then he may
ehsxSe Consreo with bs1ne tardy ii TIL
ad1foo e soashsr1 Representatives
0uk IL dt1lcnlfy sesms 70 Be, that thu
2Aoeity-cf ~ 1avocabss u the PreGi.
1s6ytponey, m fortunately leading
r.tsD1 . . {avoI a. The pardon Of lead.