The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1889-02-07
SPIES OF VAR.
Discussion as to Whether II IL an Honor
able Undertaking.

able Undertaking.
Is the service of spy in war hon.
orable2 1t certainly cannot be set
down as always dishonorable. since
some men who have performed il have
been regarded as in the highest degree
worthy Of honor. Nathan Hale. of
Connecticut, an American patriot of
the highest character, volunteered.
after Washington's defeat ON Long
Island, 10 90 10 the mainland and seek
Information Of the strength. plans and
situation OF the enemy Hale was d
brave young officer, and had distin-
gulshed himself by dashing and brill
ant service. Probably he had no lik-
ing for the work of a spy. but it was
enough for him that his commander
desired brave and prudent man for
the service. He volunteered, and was
accepted.
Hale crossed to the mainland in
safety, obtained full knowledge of the
situation, and set out TO return 10
Washington's camp He was discov-
cred by the enemy and hanged in New
York by the order OF Sir William
Howe, without trial His last words
were: Il only regret that | have but
ono life to lose for my country"
Tho virtues and bravery of Hale
alone would have invested the service
of the spy with q considerable degree
Of honor, even If there had not been
many other spies whose work had been
almost, If not quite, as brave.
But there is no doubt that the duty
OF u spy Is commonly regarded as IL
sorae sense ,lishonorabie, esnn by thosc
who take advantage Of il.
Nattci, the author of the law Of
Nations, says thai "a man of honor.
who would not expose himself to dia
by the hand of the common execa.
tioner, eyer declines serving as a SPY
he considers il beneath him, as il sci.
dom can be done without some kind of
treachery. A sovereign, therefore,
cannot lawfully require such service
Of subjects, except, perhaps, in some
singular case, and that of the last i'm
portance.
Following this idea, tho Frencil
have riways had q certain repugnance
to spies, even their ou1,. The story is
told that, al the time Of Napoleon l. u
French spy was charged with maxine
q plan Of the Notifications of Mayencc.
When no arrived at that city, le
found tho German garrison expectii 2
the arrival of an English general.
The spy was able to speak the English
language perfectly well, and it oc-
CURED to him that it would be all ex.
cellent plan for him to impersona &
this English general.
He carried out his plan so skillfully
that no one suspected that he was not
genuine English officer; and as tLe
English were in alliance with tho Ger
mans he was taken through nj! tlic
| Notifications and given every item oi
information that he wanted
When lie had seen and taken note q
everything, Inc disappeared, and ~
turned 10 Napoleon's headquarter3
| His information proved OF great service
to his country, and it was proposed (.
the emperor to decorate the man witt
the cross of the Legion Of Honor.
mo, indeed, said Napoleon. -
did not establish the Legion Of Honol
| to reward services of that kind
| But lie eave the spy $4,000 il
money.
In opposition to tho doctrine laic
| down by Nattel and Napoleon, it maj
be urged that tho very possibility q
dill,onorablo death. and the knoglodsa
that q spT's service may bo regarded {:
beneath Il man Of honor" may ren
der the voluntary performance Of thi:
duty more an act of bravery than tx
most daring service on the battlefield
Tho soldier has the rush aud e.scit ;
raeut Of baltic TO spur him on TO big2sf
dee3s; the spy has before hip the pcs
sibi1ity OF an ignonLnious death. L.
must meet peril alone, and in colo
blood. The soldiers brave servici
may be the result OF O sort Of physica
! courago, while that of tho spy mus
be the result Of moral courage.
AS America has honored a spy, il
the person of Nathan Hale, it is dia
tinguished as the first nation to ins
tuto full trial by court martial of tl
spies Of an enemy. Previous 10 thu
it had been customary to send spies t
tho eallows, as Nathan Hale was sent
merely upon the order of a con
mander in chief. - Youths Con
/ rlauiOp