The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-01
HOW THE REBELS RECEIVE THE
AMNESTY.
Comments on Mr.. Lincoln's Pro-
clamatiOn.
Denounced as an Attempt to Cor.
rupt and Divide the South.
Q Richmond Sentinel, Dec. IA.

From the Richmond Sentinel Dec. Ia.
ABRAHAM's MESSAGE AND PROCLAMATION.
Supposing our readers have a curiosity to see
the late message of President Lincoln to his
Congress, and presuming that Lincoln wants
our people to see how gracious he is, and what
loving proclamation he has issued to us all in
Dixie, we publish both in our issue to-day.
Whenever the British ENJOYS wished to tempt
our fathers in the Revolution by their proffers
of amnesty tho Continental Congress always
assisted in giving their proclamatiOns q wide
circulation; for not only did Congress confide
in the loyalty of the people, but they consider
cd those papers calculated to animate the popll-
lar patriotism.
a hundred times stronger are our reasons
Tor expecting this result now. Never did
British commissioner or general, in all his ar
rogance, put forth SO lmpudent message as
the Washington man has sent down to US. He
is going to forgive us something it seems, on
certain terms. To the most liberal. unquali-
fed and all embracing offer of forgiveness to
our fathers, DR.. Franklin replied -" We, who
have committed no offence, need no forgive
ness" Our answer would be the same, even
if Lincoln's offer initiated the humanity of
Britain's. Forgive US what? Forgive us be-
cause he has invaded our States with armed
mutitudes to overthrow our laws. destroy our
Liberties and compass our destruction For
give US because he has plundered our seas and
ravaged our coasts? Forgive us for having
Forgive lis for the many thousands of our
brothers and sons and dear friends whom he
has slain upon our own soil, and while repelne
his invasion: Forgive us the many dear m,-
ulated ones who will remain the legacy of the
war when the war shall be over? Forgive us
for having outraged even the sensibilities of
Europe by his attempt to excite servile revolt !?
Forgive us for his Beast Butler, and for the
thousand atrocities which he has let loose
against us.
He may forgive us for these his crimes: but
so long as we have hearts to feel and hands to
strike we shall never forgive him. How i'm
pudent it is to come, with our brothers blood
upon his accused hands, and ask us to accept
his forgiveness But he goes further He
makes his forgiveness dependent upon terms.
We have only to swear obedience to his will.
We have to swear that the proclamation of
emancipation which he issued last year, and
which we received with mocking, and which
has since been general derision, shall be sub
United to by US. Our society is to be upturned
Instead of that distinction between the races
necessary for the happiness of both he asks us
to swear that we viii have none at all, until his
Congress OF fanatics or his packed bench of
Judges shall say that his proclamation was wind
But all this will not do. We must abandon to
that demon thirst for their blood. which has
been indecently exhibited from the first all the
men who have rendered cur annals conspicu-
Gus, and under whose lead we have won fame
II not name, among the nations.
We must leave the President to Abraham's
tender meicies The army of the Potomac
must offer up their glorious leader under
whom both have become lllustriOuS. Beaure-
gard must be hung. In short, every officer
down to Colonel, and every civil functionary
from congressman TO messenger, and from
Governor to constable are to be retained for
Lincoln's magnity. How he and Seward and
Sumner would gloat over the hanging bodies
of the dead rebels :"
Is even Lincoln base enough to imagine that
brave people such as the confederates have
proven themselves, would, under any stress of
fortune, prove traitors to the men whom they
have called to lead them, in camp or council ?
This miserable attempt to divide and corrupt
us will be contemptuously resented as the in
suit which it is. And this is the best that Lin
coin can think Of for us--utter prostration at
his teet-a social ruin, horrible to every white
man. rich or poor; and our choicest citizens
whose names are our pride handed over to be
hanged.
This infamous proclamation will but arouse
us to new zeal and new efforts.