The National tribune., 1906-06-21

suppress all unnecessary violence in the
taking Of towns, for acts of rigOr can
never be carried to an extreme without
Involving great numbers of the inno-
cent In ruin, and practices Of that kind
beside being in no way conductive to
the termination Of war, are totally re-
pugnant to every principle Of Chris
tianity and justice" (Grotius, B. III.
Chap. IL, Sec. 81
Women, children, feeble old men and
sick persons come under the descrip-
ton Of enemies; and we have certain
rights over them, inasmuch as they be-
long to the Nation with whom we are
at war, and as between Nation and Ma
ton all rights and pretensions affect
the body of society. together with all
its members. But these are enemies
who make no resistance, and conse-
quently- we have no right to maltreat
their persons or use any violence
against them. This is so plain
q maxim of justice and humanity that
ut present every Nation. in the least de-
gree civilized, acquiesces in it,
Vattel, b. III. Chap. s. Sec. 145.)
Since women and children are sub
5ects OF the State and members OF the
Nation, they are to be ranked in the
class of enemies. But 1t does not thence
follow that we are justifiable in treating
them like men who bear arms or are
SapobiC VI bCdIihS tHCIh. NSdllcl, d
III, Chap. 5. Sec. 72.)
AT present war Is carried on by reg.
nlar troops; the people, the peasants, the
citizens. take no part in Ii. and gener.
ally have nothing to fear from the
sword of the enemy. Provided the In.
habitants submit to him who Is master
of the country. pay the contributions
Imposed and refrain from all hostilities
they live in as perfect safety as IL the,
we're friends; they continue in posses.
sion Of what belongs to them; the coun-
try people come freely to the camp Il
sell their provisions. and are protected
rs far as possible from the calamitie.
Of war" (Vattel. B. HI. Chap. 8. Sec
147. Incorporated by Halieck, Law Of
War, Chap. Is. Sec. 3D.
'.Since the object of just war Is I,
repress injustice and violence and forci
bly, to compel him who is deaf to the
voice Of justice. we have a right to pu
In practice against the enemy ever,
measure that is necessary in order L
weaken him and disable him from re
sisting US and supporting his injustice
and we NAV choose such methods as ar
the most efficaciOus and best calculate,
to attain the end in view. provided the,
be not of an odious kind. nor unjustifi
able In themselves. and prohibited b.
the laws of nature" (Vattel, b. Ill
Chap. 8. Sec. 1852
give real right TO anything furthe
than barely the means necessary to tn
attainment of that end. Whatever W.
do beyond that is reprobated by tn
law Of nature. is faulty and condemn
able at the tribunal of conscience
Hence ii is that the right to such. o
such acts Of hostility, varies accordin
to circumstances. What is Just and per
fectly innocent I'm war I'm one particula
situation is not ALWAYS so on other oc
casions. Right goes hand In hand witt
necessity and the exigencies of the case
but never exceeds them" (Vattel
III, Chap. s. Sec. 1879
"All these classes Gold men. womel
and children. the clergy, magistrates
and other civil officers). which, by gen
eral usage or the municipal laws Of tn
belligerent State. are exempt from mill
tary duty. are not subject to the genera
rights OF a belifgerent over the enemy
person. To these are added. by moder
usage, all persons who are not organ
lzed or called into military service
Though capable Of it's duties. but VIII
are left to pursue their usual pacif
avocations. All these are regarded a
non-combatants." (Halleck, Laws o
War. Chap. 10. Sec. 3D.
Was Sherman JustiAeds
Gen. Sherman admits in his Memoir
that he burned stores and dwellings
that "the heart Of the city was In flame
all night" that he telegraphed to Gran
he had made a wreck Of Atlanta
(Sherman's Memoirs, Vol. II, page 154)
which he afterwards termed "the RUNE,
city" The following quotations wi!
show whether or not he was justified ii
this destruction Of property:
And with respect to things. the cas-,