The court replied that cases of this kind were exceedingly perplexing at all times, and he, the Judge, would only be too glad if there were some other tribunal to which they could be referred; but as there was not, he could not do less than hear them, and after hearing, if he found cause for action, he could not do less than act. "In this case it was perfectly plain to the court that, notwithstanding Mr. E.'s denial, he had been selling groceries, liquors, etc., to officers and privates of General Lee's army, and might, therefore, fairly be presumed to have given 'aid and comfort to the enemy.' But the court did not believe that it had been done with any such intent. On the contrary, the court believed that it was the love of money--which is said to be the 'root of all evil'--that had induced the defendant to do just what he had done. Mr. E. is one of the thousands and tens of thousands throughout the North who, while making loud professions of loyalty, are all the while looking out for the 'main chance;' whose loyalty goes no deeper than their pockets; whose self-interests so far overbalance any sentiment of patriotism or loyalty, that they would be Lincoln men, or Davis men, just as they thought the one or the other was likely to win; who, while claiming the protection of one government and getting from it all they could, were all the while profuse in promises to the other, and ready to do for it whatever they could, whereby to put dollars in their own pockets or honors upon their own heads or shoulders. Nor is this sentiment confined to farmers and merchants, but the court regrets to have to believe it is to be found in the army, in the navy, in the very presence-chamber of the chief executive, and what is true of the North, the court has no doubt is equally true of the South, though not probably to so great an extent. "In this case the defendant, doubtless, excused himself somewhat on the ground that he was doing it upon his own property, and that he was doing it as a matter of self-preservation, which, as has been well said, is the 'first law of nature.' But while such pleas would be entirely valid in time of peace, they are not valid in time of war. At such a time, all private interests have to yield to the public good, and what may seem like the taking away of natural rights from the one, may be justice, only justice, to the many. The defendant, too, though a man of general intelligence, was probably not aware that he was violating any law, State or national, in doing what he did.