Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1864-01-28

none others would it be safe or expe-
dent to extend the boon Of amnesty
or Acknowledgement, and not to these
even, except upon the just and easy
terms of being purged of their trea-
son and plighting anew their faith to
the Union. 40
Any effort at restoration, to be SUBJ
stantial and productive of satisfac tory
results, should be inaugurated upon a
theory which will inspire mutual con-
fidence between the parties, and con.
stitute a basis sufficiently comprehen-
sive to embrace all who, by recanta-
ton OF their disloyalty, may qualify
themselves for and become entitled to
it's benefits. The initial point is obvi.
ously the most vital, and difficult for
if we start with wrong reckoning,
our future course will be one of con-
slant embarrassments, and fail Of ulti.
mate success.
Profoundly impressed with these
convictions. and firmly believing that
no more feasible mode has yet been
devised for securing speedy and
honorable adjustment of our disor-
dered Union. am prepared to fully
endorse the late eminently plain and
sensible proclamation of President
Lincoln, and until withdrawn, or sn-
perceded by some more authoritive
act, shall yield to it my earnest and
unequivocal support.
/ can see, in this Proclamation much
to admire and nothing to condemn. If
it be objected, that the number of per-
sons therein designated a. the basis
of reorganization, be too small, the
appropriate answer is, that it bears a
fair proportion to those who, for the
last half century, have controlled the
politics and usurped the destinies of
the South and will exceed, in each
State, the number of those who kim
died the fires Of this rebellion, and
whose treason created the condition
Of things of which this restored tenth
have become the sad and unwilling
victims. 1t 10 but the beginning of a
great contamination, and forms nu-
cleus, around which the returning 10y
atty of the South may. daily. and rap
idly gather, as they comply with the
just and easy terms of the Proclama-
ton.
The Proclamation prescribes only
the minimum number necessary to con.
stitnte the basis Of reorganization, ex-
GLIDING only the more criminal actors,
and those who persist in sdbering to
their treason.
Amnesty is boon, not right, and,
as criminals before the law, they are
in no situation to dictate it's terms, but
must submit to those which the Gov
eminent, in the exercise Of its clemen.
cy, may deem it wise to grant.
If this mode of adjustment cngen-
ders revolution in the political rela-
tions of the South, it will be q revolu-
ton of right against wrong, and of
which the oppressed aud injured mas.
ses will derive the benefit.
BY steadily adhering to these prin-
ciples, as trust we shall, we may
succeed, after much wandering, aud
great tribulation, in bringing this Gov
eminent back to it's ancient and safer
landmarks of universal freedom, and
perpetual unity.
cannot close this communication,
and forego the opportunity presented,
to congratulate the General Assembly.
and the people, upon the auspicious
condition Of our State. A kind Prov
idence has blessed US with adequate
harvests, and a full measure of pros
perity in all our undertakings. By
His mercy we have been enabled to
pass through the trying scenes, now
drawing to close, with honor and
success. All efforts, by bad and reck-
less men, to obstruct the execution of
the laws and disturb our domestic
peace, have been promptly thwarted.
Our obligations to the National Gov
eminent have been faithfully perform
ed, and our people, whether at home
or in the field, have nobly vindicated
their devotion to the Uuion. The finan-
cial condition of the State were never
in sounder condition. Notwithstand-
ing the extraordinary expenditures
rendered unavoidable by military ope-
rations, the revenue on hand, and due
from several sources, exceeds, by ma
ny thousand dollars, the total indcbt-
edness of the State. Without hazard
to our credit, we may challenge com.
parison with any other State in the
Union. For this, much credit is due
and should BIO awarded, to the outgo-
ing Executive, who has administered
the affairs Of the State with marked
economy, and discharged his onerous
and complicated duties with an ability
and patriotism deserving of the high
est commentator.
Entertaining implicit confidence in
your intelligent and patriotic regard
for the public interests, and conscious
of no motive on my own part incon-
sistent with their advancement, /
shall indulge in the hope that our mu-
tual counsels and joint labors, may
be productive Of good to the common
wealth.
With humble faith that God will
continue to bless our young State,
and in His own good time deliver our
common country from the calamities
Of cruel war, let US enter upon the
discharge Of our respective duties.
w. NJ. STONE.
Reelection of Mr.. 3rimAa.