Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-04-10

An Apprehended Amnesty.
There seems to be prevalent apprehension that the
war against the rebellion is TO have premature close
Some OF our neghbors indicate their fears that gen.
eral amnesty is about to be proclaimed, which may have
the effect of dssovDg the rebel army and of releasing
the rebels themselves from the penalties they have incur
red These approximations, it seems to US, ground
less 1t is by means impossible that the Admins
tration may deem this fitting time to reassure the
great mass Of the Southern people who have been de-
uded into this rebellion by studied Justification of the
motives OF the the part OF the Government and
to give them to understand that they have nothing to
apprehend from the vengeance OF the Government
and that prompt return to their allegiance to the Con-
stu0n is all that IS required at their hands, In this
sense and TO this extent the President may very prop
ery proclaim an amnesty, for the humane purpose of
preventing the needless slaughter of thousands of our
COunrymen. II the profered terms should be rejected
the most emhtteTed Of the rebels could not say
word against the most vigorous and relentless prosecu
tion OF the war.
That the President will offer amnesty to the leaders
OF this rebelOn-tO the who have plotted and plan
ned it, or to the equally cu pabe traitors who have
tOTsworn their allegiance TO the Constitution, and put
themselves at the head of the armies arrayed against it,
we do not believe There is nothing to be gained by
such Or and it would shock every sentiment of ma
tura justice and act direct encouragement to trea-
son hereafter The great mistake in the settlement of
the notification contest Of 1882 was that not one OF the
leading consprators suffered punishment. II John c.
Calhoun bad been hung, should have heard nothing
of rebellion. But the mistaken enty of that daV
paved the way for renewal'Of the conspiracy now
That mistake ought not to be repeated 1t is not for
moment to be supposed that all whO in this rebellion
have been guilty OF treason can suffer the punishment
cue to their crime NJ Government can In such case
ever deal with men according to their deserts
But 1t is important that this gigantic crime should
not 60 unpublished 1t would be scandal and disgrace
if could thus bring great nation to the verge of
ruin-sacrfce thousands of lives make ten thousa .ds
bearthStOnes dpsOate exhaust millions unnn millions nj
treasure and yet escape punishment at the hands of the
people against whom their crime has been directed
The leaders in this rebeon-enough from every State
to make terrible and telling example-must suffer
the penalty due TO treason While the impulse of
vndcveness should have part in the action of the
Government, justice, patriotism regard for the future
welfare OF the Nation, demand that the men who have
placed themselves at the head of this conspiracy should
pay the penalty with their lives. Public sentiment
the just and holy Indignation of the loyal men-wil
exact this at the hands of the Government.
There strong feeling everywhere that the proper.
tn of every Southern rebel should be confscated and
especially that his slaves should be set free Justice
certainly, would sanction such q course. The punish.
ment thus inflicted would be suited to the nature of the
crime The law enacted by Congress at its extra ses
sion goes very far forward paictiDg such penalty
ana II mas neen generally expected that the present
sion WOuIo witness It's extension Probably, however
such step can only be regarded as war measure. Il
1t Is necessary TO yleoryifit will even aid in crush
ing the rebellion, such measure should be enacted
But If the Government reason to believe that the
rebellion be crushed without it better than with it
then 1t ought not to be resorted to- The policy or i'm
policy of such depends upon the state of facts
in the Southern States. Hitherto, we believe, tbs
Government has held that such an act of confscatiou
would proODg the war, and render fixed and durable
peace impossible 1t has acted upon that belief and
unless we are greatly Mistaken the results, thus far
have indicated the wisdom Of its action.