The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-01-09

nesty proclamation, aud tho reorgsniza-
ton Of the State Government of Iean-
essee, in accordance with the plsn pro.
posed by Mr.. Lincoln; but as il had
never been made public, thousand 10
mors naturally arose relative to its con-
tents, which have rendered its publication
necessary; and yesterday morning il ap.
pesred, under the supervision Of it.
author, in the Press, Of this city, from
which we transfer it 70 our columns
te Day. It is useless to refer TO the
ability Of Mr.. Ewing. Even if be were
not well known here even though be had
no nstional reputation, the document
emsnating from his pen would be suf-
6cisnt advertisement Of both his mental
power, and his thorough acquaintance
with the subject he discusses.
Mr. Ewing always denied The right
o. secession; Whatever he did be clsim-
Cd it to be, what it really was, revOlu-
tionary; and hence acknowledged the
right Of the General Government 20 en-
force its authority if it could, leaving
the contest to be settled alone by the
strength Of the parties. Secession was
illegal; The right to suppress insurrec-
ton clear; but if the people Of any State
felt themselves agrisved, then they might
take ND arms in self defense, but did it
at their peril. They must fight for a sep
aration which the Consti ution gave
them no right to claim peaceably; and if
they WOE it, it was by their strong arms
alone. Before commencing the contest
for tho redress of grievances, those who
we're discontinued must inquire which
would be the greater evil-submissiOn
t. an administration they deemed obi
Gus, or q war OF independence; and if
they accepted the latter and were beaten,
they must expect thatpunishmeot which
the laws prescribe for tie crime of
treason.
This, we believe, was Mr.. Ewipg's
position, and it was the correct one.
Neither the manner be became implica-
ted ia the rebellion, nor the part he took
are now of consequences. Suffice it TO
say that be is not Of the class excepted
from the amnesty, of which he now
avAils himself, and of which he recon-
mends others TO avail themselves at the
earliest possible moment.
Mr.. Ewing perhaps properly suggests
that ihe amnesty proclamation ia scarcely
broad enough; that so many are excep
tel from its provisions, as to mate
rally retard its operation; but we can
not agree with him, that it should be sb-
sOluts and general He proceeds upon
She theory that the people having, fo=
three years experienced the horrors- Of
war, and felt bitterly tho consequences
Of rebellion, would never sgsin listen 10
malcOntent leaders, and that therefore
the latter ould be harmless members of
society. We have no doubt but this is,
in some measure, true; and that The tor
ture engendered by disgrace, would be
ike tho punishment Of Cain, greater than
many could beaS and that they would
resort to voluntary banishment, rather
than remain objects alike of that hatred
and contempt which would be showereo
upon them By those they wAntOnly in
ured; but with al this, we DO not de-
sire to see all of tbs leaders in this
most uncsllsd for rebellion, so uDpun
ished; bat we would, in case Of speedy
and bona fae repentance, reduce the list
Of the outlaWed to the smallest number
c nsisient with the dignity Of the ma
ton with honor, and the just demands of
tloss who have sacrificed so much in be-
lait OF tnclF country
1t is suggested that there is strong
that the class of Excep pts may
De reduced by subsequent proclamation;
md if there is 3 disposition promptly 10
return TO citizenship, we have no doubt
bat such will be the case. The Presi-
dent isiued special pardon in The case
IF Mr.. CAN'T, of Arkansas, though be
bad hsld BrigAdier Generals ccmmis-
zion in the rebel army; and he would
extend one TO others, or even to
! whole class, il he saw sufficient evil
ience Of . sincere repentance.
We favored the confscAtiOn Law, when
pending in Congress; We r'joice that it
& upon The statute books TO day; although
We never had any idea that all rebel pro-
1erty would be seized and sold under it.
Who does not r. jOice that we have = no
Die, and well disciplined army in the
iold TO kill the rebels? Yet is it expect
d that the slaughter will be general?
By 20 means. The bayOnet and the Law
we're 10 be held over the heads OF the in
as aids in the suppression Of
he rebellion; and when they were no
onges needed, they would be abandoned |
{ the bombattic threats of the rebel /
saders, that they would all die in tie 1
ast ditch, before they would submit to
he laws, we're carried out, which no one
isIievsd would be, then, and only then,
would it be necessary to dispose Of al
be property thus lefl Ownerlsss. Bat it
5 apparent upon the face Of the law, that
hose who passed it never expected mat
ers 10 rssch such extremsties, and there
ore provision was made for "a amnesty,
imilsr to the enc offered By tae Presi-
ent It was expected that comparative
= few Estates would be seq1estrsled, bat
ntil taere was real evidence Of repent
nee, the work Of cOnhscstion proceeded
$ rapidly as tbs courts could act.
We have said Mr. Ewing peFhsps prop
r.y suggested that the amnesty proclz-
ration vas cot broad euough. We saw