Lepine, a French Canadian, who was Riel's "adjutant-general," and who,
as head of a mock court-martial, sentenced Thomas Scott to death for opposing the rising in Manitoba, has been seized, tried, and sentenced to death. The Government of the Dominion apparently wishes to commute the sentence for three reasons,— firstly, because the French Canadians consider his offence a poli- tical and not a social one, Scott having taken up arms against the insurgent Government after it had claimed all power ; secondly, because it is unfair to hang Lepine while Riel escapes ; and thirdly, as we believe, because the submission of the rebels was secured by a secret and informal promise of their lives, as well as by an open negotiation with them for the removal of grievances. The last reason, if we have stated it correctly, is of course final ; and on the whole, we should say that, while Lepine has deserved death by every law of every civilised State, his crime is not one which binds the Governor-General to disregard considerations of policy. If his execution will tend to prevent such risings in future, execute him ; if it will intensify local passion, let him be spared. Lord Dttfferin, with his Irish experience, can be trusted to arrive at a conclusion on that point, and with him the decision may be confidently left.
