The Greene County Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 185?-1867, 1867-05-29
NO. 81.

to red,handed traitors. 1t has executed
none Ithas banished none. And now
the very pith and essence, the anima.
ting cause. the deviser and supporter,
the executive and representative of the
grand crime. walks away unsoathed
amid the bows Of those whom he sought
to destroy, to be welcomed by those
who were part and part with him in his
offence.
Notwithstanding the fact that this
liberation is made by order of the gov.
ernmeut-notwithstanding it was ap-
proved by Mr.. Greeley ami urged by
Mr.. oConnor, and sought by ex- x-Presl.
dent Pierce--;he country and the world
will consider it huge political bunder,
as well as something more serious
Either Davis was guilty, and most gull
ty, of high treason, or he was innocent.
1.-THE latter, they are responsible in
damages who so long restrained him
from liberty. If the former, they are
censurable who tolerated hls enlarge.
ment. But there is no question OF his
guilt. And if it is urged that his health
suffered by long confinement without
trial, we first traverse the statement
He has come out from his retirement re,
freshed and strengthened, and every
way improved for it. 1t was an oppor.
tunity for recuperation to him. But If
he did suffer, what was that just suffer.
ing compared with the yillainous tor
lures to death which were experienced
by brave Union soldiers, through bis
inslrumentality and at his direct com.
mand, in Libby prison and Anderson
vile, and elsewherei If he suffered, so
much the better. He deserved to not
for his crimes only, but for those of his
agents, and as a lesson 10 all future
times that the way Of the transgressor
il hard
Many specious pleas, we are aware,
will be filed In defence of this action
But all, supported uy the prettiest reas-
oning, will b, insufficient to satisfy the
moral sense Of mankind that Justice has
been done in the premises. 1t was be.
lieved that the culprit should have tast.
ed of the fruit of the sour apple tree
which he dispensed so literally to pa.
triots. But it was, and even yet is, de-
manded bya great majority that he
should. at all events, be tried before he
was enlarged. He may, if well assured
of favorable result, still condescend to
render himself famous by figuring for all
time as another Warren Hastings-to
be, like him, excused from punishment.
But he may refuse. And the govern-
ment and the laws, which should be bes
holden to the ccndescension of no
criminal, are now at the mercy Of tho
greatest whom they ever were provided
for. If he comes into court, it will be
almost imperative 10 reward his mag.
nanimity with acquital.
This result will be hailed in the south,
and rightly hailed, as a victory. The
great criminal is free. Maor contiaet
in Sc minorem--If he goes unwhipped,
who should be scourged? All punish.
ment becomes criminal and we may
prepare at once to welcome, with more
than fraternal love and with ovatlons.
the smaller lmps who revolyed about
him and did his bidding. And, further.
more, as experience has proved that
treason is not crime, but a direct ap>
peal to the sympathies and admiration Of
the loyal part of the nation, we may be.
queath to our sons, with the debt which
they must inherit, the warning to be
always prepared tor rebellion againt any
law which is law,or any proposals which
are distastefal to any. They may ex,
pect to find the chiyalry of any section
resortlng to the arbitrament of arms
when excessive wealth, or an itch for
notoriety, or any other cause, renders it
desirable to influential men. "yi
The rebellion in free country was
unprecedented. And in order that h,s>
tory shall not be able to give its paral,
lel, we are witnesses to decision which
the moral sense aud justice OF all man.
kind must condemn--to decision which
RENTS a traitor and villain to affluent
distinction, which embarrasses all subse,
quent legislation, which disarms true
patriots, and gives weapons Of logic to
men who unsparingly used those Of steel.
Fortunately, the south Is in no condition
yet for another appeal 10 arms. But IL
must be always borne in mind that wa
have practically said that In this country
treason 10 not a orime.
u' c9
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