Mr. Wade. I move to take up Senate resolution No. 97
Mr. Sumner. What is it about?
Mr. Wade. About retaliation.
Mr. Sumner. I would not go on with that to-day.
Mr. Wade. You would, if you were in prison. [Laughter.]
The resolution was taken up and debated.
January 24th, Mr. Sumner moved the following resolutions as a substitute.
“Resolved, That retaliation is harsh always, even in the simplest cases, and is permissible only where, in the first place, it may be reasonably expected to effect its object, and where, in the second place, it is consistent with the usages of civilized society; and in the absence of these essential conditions, it is a useless barbarism, having no other end than vengeance, which is forbidden alike to nations and to men.
“Resolved, That the treatment of our officers and soldiers in Rebel prisons is cruel, savage, and heart-rending beyond precedent; that it is shocking to morals; that it is an offence against human nature itself; that it adds new guilt to the crime of the Rebellion, and constitutes an example from which history will turn with sorrow and disgust.