The Sun

The Execution of Beall.

John Yates Beall, the rebel spy and pirate, has paid the penalty of his crimes with his life. To the crime of treason, which is the most flagrant known to military law, he added that of piracy and spying, and was found guilty upon nine specifications of these charges. There was no extenuating circumstance, nothing to mitigate the enormity of his offenses against his country, and his execution must receive the approbation of every loyal man. Even the poor excuse of having been misled by others can hardly be urged in his favor. Had he been an ignorant man, unacquainted with the penalty which he was incurring by his crimes, there might possibly be some palliation for his offenses; but he was a man of sound intellect, of good education, familiar with military usage, and member of a religious denomination. Nor can it be said in his favor that there was anything brave or chivalric in the offenses which he committed. The dastardly attempt to murder innocent men, women and children by throwing a railroad train from the track awakens in every mind a cry of horror many attribute, therefore there can be no regret for his end, and even humanity raises no further than to the feeling of pity that any misguided young man should meet so ignominious a death as that to which he has been sentenced, however, for the reason that it is the first instance of inflicting the death penalty, if it is to form a precedent, a just understanding will, therefore, be of Beauregard, Sie Fl, At aos toidkrr and all others who may be arrested and convicted of similar crimes will be summarily dealt with. It will have an important effect also, to stopping raids and threats from neutral territory, and will teach them that a commission from Jeff. Davis will not shield from punishment a man who places himself upon a level with the lowest class of criminals.