Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-06-14
RUTLAND HERALD.
THURSDAY, JUNE I, 1866.
original Aboiitionisss ON the sit"a-
ton.

tion.
We published a day or two ago some
extracts from speech made by Wendell
Phillips at the New England anti slavery
Convention recently held in Boston,
Another and very different policy TO-
ward the South is advocated by that
other Original abolitionist," derrit
Smith. In letter addressed to Chlei
Justice Chase on the subject Of the trial
of Jeff Davis, Mr.. Smith argues that the
true policy is to treat the South with
great generosity; that we must claim
no indemnity for the past and exact 10
unnecessary security for the future, ana
that we must make no changes that are
not Indispensable. But he writes chiefly
against all punishment of rebels by the
government. He is opposed to trying
LEFT Davis for treason. He argues that
Davis and the other leaders merely rep
resented and acted for the Southern peo-
ple, and are really no more guilty than
thousands Of others; and that the effect
of hanging Davis will be to make him
MARTYR TO the Southern cause, and per-
petuate the spirit of secession at the
South. He says that we cannot without
national dishonor punish the rebel lead
ers for treason; that according to reco@-
nized principles rebellion that became
q civil war, and was so recognized
by us as we'll as other nations, lett the
yanouished and surrendered rebels IN the
same position as foreign prisoners OF
war. He quotes from authorities upon
international law to sustain these posi-
tions.
Thus we have, in discussing the poll
CIV to be pursued towards the South, the
two extremes represented by two of the
original anti slavery leaders. Wendell
Phillips regards Thad. Stevens, who Il
the advocate of wholesale destruction q
states, wholesale punishment, wholesal
confscation, wholesale disfranchlsemen
and fire and birthstone generally, a
nfaithful among the faithless." Gerri
Smith advocates the extreme OF generoS
itvand Cancellation. Mr.. Smith has tn
great personal advantage of having bee
a consistent supporter of the govern
ment and the Union cause throughot
the war.
But the policy OF the great Unlc
party. and we think the true policy,
neither that of Mr.. Phillips nor OF M
Smith. 1t is neither the policy OF vi
dictiveness, which the history OF reo'
lions if not humanity, shows 10 De
false and unsuccessful one, nor the pr
lev of conciliatory surrender Will
common sense shows would be dangt
ous to the future of the Union. 1t
the policy which demands that treas
shall be sufficiently punished in the p
sons of its chief instigators and leade
to stamp it as crime and render 1t o
ous while generous treatment is
tended to the deluded masses Of rebe
which demands that the leading trs
org shall have no share in the tut
Government of the Union; which
mands that Southern Unionists shall
protected; which demands that 81
Gent guarantees for the future peace
safety of the country shall be estaol
ed: which demands the protection
all citizens, of whatever race or CO
ID the enjoyment of their life, Iio'
and property, and which, when these
sentials are secured, is willing to
by.gones be by-gones,' and welc'
back and in every way assist the PEI
of the South. The disagreement am
members of the party has been ch
as to the best method Of securing t
essentials, not as to the essentials II
selves. In other words, as we have
fore said, the disagreement is not a
principles, but as to details; and w
reflection and discussion have air
greatly lessened and will soon have
tirely removed.