Friday, April 24, 2009

Rosecrans to be Dealt With

Under the above title the New York Post has the following pungent hit at those rose-water-lilly-livered democrats of the peace on any terms that the secesh may dictate persuasion.

The Post Says:

We understand that a committee of “democrats,” to be composed of John Van Buren, Ben. Wood, James Brooks, Vallandigham and Sunset Cox, are about to address a severe note to General Rosecrans, asking him what he means by his singular proceedings in Tennessee. Their feelings have been very much hurt by this rough and ruffianly mode of handling their friends, Bragg, Johnson, Hardee, Rains, etc., and demanded an explanation.

Does he not know that he is irritating the minds of our Southern brethren by his harsh measures? Can he hope to win them back to love of the old Union by his bayonets, swords, and cannon? Why did he not throw down his arms and coax them into their allegiance and duty? His sharp, ill-advised, radical method by gunpowder, we fear, has only confirmed them in their dislike of the federal government.

Mr. Vallandigham, indeed as we understand, is about to bring the case of this offender to the attention of the House of Representatives. He will propose a committee to inquire by what authority Gen. Rosecrans has taken it upon himself to put to death several thousand of our fellow citizens at Murfreesboro, to blow their houses to atoms, seize their cattle, and let their negroes run. He (Vallandigham) has long made the constitution a subject of special study, and he finds that it guarantees to every citizen perfect security in his rights of person and property. No one can be molested in these without due process of law; yet this Rosecrans, sets the provisions of the sacred instrument entirely at naught. Or is he so insane to suppose that his ten inch shells are what the constitution means by “due process of law?” Can he imagine that his “advance of the whole line with enthusiastic cheers” is a fair trial by jury which the constitution awards every man?

It will be in vain for the culprit to plead that he is acting according to laws of war; for that dodge has been attempted by President Lincoln in defense of his edict of freedom; but the “democrats,” in their conscientious devotion to the letter of the constitution, will not admit the plea.

– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday, January 29, 1863

No comments: