New Orleans Republican., 1873-05-07
TIE HuMANE POLICY.

if he finds his lenlency has been apuSeu'
When the strong nan forgives his weaker
enemy who has made an unsuccessful at
tack upon him, be reasonably expects the
attempt will not be repeated. The "hu-
name policy" which has grown into use
with the progress Of civilization was
never intended to disarm the successful
cambatant, but to spare the life OF the van
auished, and thus afford him an oppor-
tunity to repair the losses which, IN case
of his summary taking off, would descend
to his posterity. But the world has not
vet come to that grand point where man
| is expected to forgive his mortal foe seven
times AS a rule, public expectation Is
fully satisfied with one instance of for
civeness. 1t should be remembered that
all men are controlled by human passions
| more than by the divine attributes that
are so highly extolled by the professors OF
Christianity, and it would be entirely un-
equal and unjust to demand Of one party
the exercise of all the virtues that appear
SO lovely in theory, while his determined
assassin is permitted to sollow his track
with untiring hate.
A great hue and cry was raised agairot
some of our commanders in the late war;
because they destroyed the private prop
erty of the rich rebels and spared the
lives of the poor conscripts and deluded,
ignorant populace, whom they found Or
ganized into miatary companies. What a
celebrated American humorist embodied
in joke, the world recognized as biting
truth. The rich would rather lose all
their poor relatives than see their property
burned or carried away by the enenS
One side in the contest preached oswar
to the hilt," until they saw the hilt turned
from them, wien they suddenly dacov-
cred the beauties of humanity and ex-
tolled the Christian duty Of forgiveness.
No doubt one dearly likes to be forgiven,
oas a means of saving his life, liberty,
property or chance to hold Office But
every man who accepted forgiveness from
..e United States government incurred
the obligation to lay down his arms, not
for day or year, or until the Confad-
eracy might be strong enough to make re-
bellion safe again, but for all time, and to
conduct himself as good citizen. Every
man who took upon himself this obligo-
ton and has since broken it has done all
he could to endanger the humane policy
in case there shall ever come time for
either sec. on of our country to pray for
it in its own behalf The peace policy
was tried with the Indians, but they
have repeatedly proved themselves
incapable of . deserving it. General
Sheridan has been greatly ceusured for
the severe lesson lie gave the Pieglns,
who, like, some oS ous white classes,
praised oho Peace 9olYcs Shep they
needea, IT'S benefits and forgot ali about Js
when they thought it safe 20 De treachero
cu1 Since General Canpy's 2nurdes the
pleadings of tho advocates for peaceae
BILE, humane policy toward che Modocs
have been drowned IN the loud and very
general demand for vengearcao Many a
poor son of the forest is fated to suffer,
in the coming yearo for the barbarous
treachery of Captain JacSo Quakerism
will not soon be admitted to our national
councils 9n indian affairs end there Is
oow absolute olangeS shae apoIicS 900
much in Ito opposite direction may Be
demanded by the people of the eountryo
There are 9adications thas tie very
humane policy Of our government does
not give the general satisfaction now that
its first announcement occas:oned. The
French, who rate as very wise people, de-
parted from our example in the case Of
the Communists, They preferred to leave
nothing to chance. They committed hor-
rible barbarites, but who shall say they
did not work in the interests Of peace?
This lenient policy is now on trial before
this country, and its workings are watched
with jealous eyes by scarcely satisfied
people, who have paid dearly i'll blood and
treasure for the successes which made APP
pomatox historicao 1t is not in the ra
ture of things that the agony of the last
decade is forgotten, 1t % scarcely
probable that the crimes are fully
forgiven. The ohoes actors are stil9
on probationo sn5 eheir final .restorae
ton to complete confidence deperis
upon their own conduct The Slano thereo
force who s;l yves 90 s.ie up the evil pas.
sfoss az she SgaoSaas AID untnYnkHHs. and
s,ssssss.s s,c cnsS ssSeGl;oS ~ :a- so.tn.
eSthes sgaHs.ss The i':,isei Stale. q. tie
STATE govaanents ege.sei r.ies the e..
rsastructeo3 laws 70 81 enems &c .lc
Southern people. and an insidious fee 20
tie humane policy tLas saved huni:e:s cs
brave Seves :son. tie Saftess thousands o:
prGsoness fsom sie dungeon .,.i :ernited
families f. every State in tie Souu. Il
mighs To- .iof:cuIso obttS such SSs.a:
sesoos o &C .asause.