Year: 1861

johnson, however wrong his cause, was
consistent in refusing to notice a message
intended for him and addressed HTo whom
it may concern;' that Beauregard was
equally consistent in OBTAINING Harris and
Magraw that, in not hanging the crews
Of the Savannah and Petrel at the yard
arm or bringing them to instant trial and
death, we have already half recognized
the validity of the southern letters. of mar.
que; that such recognition is practically
enforced by Davis threatened revenges in
event of contrary action; in short, that
the rebels have got us on equal ground, so
far as concerns the treatment of prisoners
captured by either side and on either land
! or sea.


1t is not my department to suggest the
course which manly and humane pol
icy should dictate in this serious and trou-
blesome matter, But the fact is as l have
stated it. Opinion in favor of a recognition
Of the rebels as belligcrents is gaining ev-
i cry day among influential Unionists in
Washington. They say that great gov
ornment always makes itself ridiculous in
theoretically ignoring what it is forced to
practically acknowledge that no middle
ground can be maintained; that England
and France can never be expected to con-
! slider men US pirates whom We are afra id to
hang.


The New York Herald also says:
In the present case the disadvantage of
refusing to exchange is clearly on our side.
If our government hang as traitors or pri
vateers the prisoners they hold, the South.
ern Confcdoracy may retaliate and hang
ten for every one. The prisoners held by
the United States are few; the Confeder.
ate States have large number. Until the
| action Of our government became decided
in reference to the privatoers, the Confed-
crate government gave the prisoners they
had taken from US every indulgence
Now they hold them in close confinement.
The effect on enlistment will be exceeding
| ly bad. Thousands will shrink from en-.
gaging in a war in which, if they are ta-
ken prisoners, they are liable to be hang
ed; and if they are already enlisted the
reflection that they may meet so ignomin-
ious fate is not likely to add to their
coolness or courage on the day of battle.
1t cannot improve the Union cause or con-
! tribute to the success of our arms to sig
nalizc the war by needless cruelties or re.
vive the barbarities of less enlightened
| times.


We publish the foregoing without fur
ther comment, more than to remind the
| Democracy that, no matter what arrange
mcnts. are made, either for the prosecu-
ton, or the suspension of hostilities, the
faithful pen Of history will record the fact
of great party, generally dominant in tho
country, rushing to the protection of their
| Government, even when administered by
those whose counsels brought our troubles
about. Let partizans sneer at it, if they
will; but it is a sublime spectacle to see
the Democracy Of the country fighting the
battles of an Administration which they
had opposed, and whose political tencts
they hold responsible for much of the mis-
chief which afilicts US. Let corrupt men
grow bloated with the plumber war furnish.
es; let spectators, contractors and camp
followers watch for polf, "the pckings and
stcalings" of the camp; let the sneaking
sharper, who watches the soldiers payroll
cry ont for the suspension or pacifcaton
of the war, the Democracy of the country
will cling to their Government, and either
conquer an honorable pecc, or fame as
lasting from "a well fought war;