The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-08-21
Fomy OF Proeiaiming an Amnesty.

Oily ~
The President is urged to publish an ]
amnesty 10 the rebels He is urged to
this policy by newspapers and politicians
who have assailed every war measure Of
his administration, who have put slavery
above the Union, on all occasions, and
who have in every imaginable way, mani
tested a strong political sympathy with
the rebels. Every editor who has ad-
vised the publication Of sn amnesty is
violent pro-slaveryite, and fayors the
Southern school Of politics. The advice
comes from bad quarter, but neverthe-
less, let us examine IL, and test IFS value.
Fas est docei al iosie, says the old adage;
learn wisdom from your enemy. The
amnesty is TO be published 10 an enemy
who has some 100000 soldiers in the
field, and is trying to add 70 these 100,
600 more.
II is TO be published 10 a reballious
section Of country in which Lee, Bragg,
Buckner, Beauregard, and othor Generals
are leading large armies, and hundreds
of bands Of partisan rangers or guerrilla
highwaymeD, are rowing over the country.
II is TO be published to set Of insurgents
who have a consolidated goVornment
whose authority extends over ten States
We are urged to profIer pardon 10 an
unwhipped adversary, who is inhamcd
with thirst for vengeance sgainst as.
The plain meaning Of such document
would be properly interpreted by the
rebels to mean "Lei ul alone, and
we'll let you alone"
We will not say that such a ridiculous
petition would be merely undignifed; it
would be something far worse. II would
be in the highest degree impolitic, and
tend only to prolong the war by feeding
the wild hopes Of the rebels. 70 nations
abroad It would sound more like the
supplicatioH Of frightened, combatant
afraid 70 risk the issue Of dangerous
and doubtful struggle than the msgnan-
imous offer of a victor. The President,
we affirm, long since oboyed to the full
est extent the promptings of leniency.
BE entreated the rebels TO desist from
their wicked conspiracy, and dispense
their lawless organizations, before he
sent a regiment Of soldiers among the
insurgents; but the rebel journals exult-
ingly proclaimed that this manifestation
of an indulgent and generous spirit on
the part Of the President was received By
the Southern Congress with shouts Of
derisive laughter" The rebels Inolo Heiy
duty as ioeR as tie President can instruct or
ezhOyt Aebh They know perfectly we'll
that they must lay down their arms and
submit to the laws of the land, including
the just and necessary measures of the
war policy, to the execution Of which
the judgment, patriotism and honor Of
the President are pledged, and not one of
which he will retract. Why proclaim
an amnesty? Whist right has the Presi
dent TO do such thing lie was ridi-
culed and yiliifed for issuing an Eman-
cipation Proclamation, on the ground
that il would be imperative; yet, strange
to say, the very men who assaulted him
for that step, now urge him to issue an.
other "bnll against the comet by pub
fishing an amnesty. The Emancipation
Proclamation they cay ia dead letter
but an amnesty will do the business
The former could not operate be-
yond the enemy's lines, but the lat.
ter will dispense their armies Per.
hAps the conservatives wish t.
keep up the great distinction between
the white and black races by
teaching wallpaper pFoclamations have
no effect upon black men, but very de-
cided effect on white men II is praoti
cAlly impossible for Che Southern people
to accept an amnesty, even il they, were
so disposed, while their armies are in the
Held. How can the people of Virginia
or Alabama, accept an amnesty, when
they are paying tithes 70 the rebel TAI
collector? What monslrous infatuatior
it would be for the President 10 say
"Cidzens Of the robellious States
hereby recall every penalty denounced
against you by myself or Congress
Whether you are in the rebel arm,
or out Of it, whether loyal or dis
loyal your property, especially y9F
slaves shall not be harmed. In be
half Of the nation, i promise that VI
will look on this rebellion Of yours a
mere political enterprise, whose foil,
and wiokedness shall be overlooked
Come back, and, as of yore, send Cobb
and JEFF. Davis, and Benjamin, and liar
ris, back TO our national councils 10 rul
the republicW Would not a voice o
indignation go up from the people which
would make the President hide his head
and would not the enrsged army of th
Union turn and rend the traitor Presi.
dent In his seat?
SLAYERY A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY
slavery" says BroUnsn's Rev'ei0, 81
the natural and normal condition Of n,
man, race or Glaze % 49,, Al a.