The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-09-13
U. s. CouRI,r7 Ro,oM.
WnEKLINo, september :. ,h5.

u >. COURT ROOM,
/ WHEELING, September q, '65.
Hon. j. j. JAcKsoN-Sir: Believing
the able charge You have just given to
feet on the minds of tile people, if il
could be generally brought to their nj.
tentiOn, we respectfully request a copy
ofthe same for pblication. -
BENJ. II. SMITH, HANNIBAL FORBES
/ 'DAN'L. LAME, n. Jacob ul.l
n. RICILARDsoS, JOHN G.CHANDLER
DANIEL. PECK, L. NJ. NORTON,
Jas. 5. WHEAT, q. l.. CRANSIER,
/ JASPER Y. MOORE. % '.-.
Gentlemen;-I regret that my official
i engagements are such as to prevent me
from complying with your ilattering
request, in. time TO effect what Is intend-
cd by a publication ofIny charge to the
| Grand Jury at the present term of the
! Court. 1t was not written, and would
therefore require more time to prepare
| II for publication thnn can no bestow
upon il. 1t may not be amiss, however,
nt this time, TO nllude very briefly to
| that portion of my charge which was
| Intended to reflect whAt 1 understand
to be the policy of the Government to-
ward those who We're, until lately, i'll
armed hostility to it, but who have re-
\ Gently returned amongst us to resume,
as far as practicable, their former rela-
uons to tile country. Tile object of the
war upon the part of the Government
| was TO compel those who were resisting
its rightful and legal authority by arm
ed forces, to lay down their arms, and
return to their allegiance, thereby re-
storing the Union, and the execution of
the laws under it, wherever suspended.
With view to this object, Con-
gross passed an net approved July
18th, 1862, which authorized the Presi-
l dent Mt unV gIthganI1nnt Iv,
proclamation, TO extend to persons
''who may have participated III !he eN-
listing rebellion in any State, or part
| thereof, pardon and amnesty, with
such exceptions and ut such times and
on such conditions as he may deem eX-
pedient for the public Nvelfure.n
In pursuance of this net, President
| Lincoln, ON the Sth day of December,
1868, issued his proclamation granting
full pardon" to NIL persons "who have
directly, or by Implication, participated
in the then existing rebellion" with
restoration of all rights of prop;
erty, except as to slaves, and
in property cases where rights
of third parties shall have inter
vened," upon their taking and SUBJ
| scribing the form of oath affixed to the
proclamation, excepting certain persons
therein enumerated, from the benefit
| of its provisions. suppose no one, Mt
this day, doubts the wisdom OF the
policy thus inaugurated blythe govern
ment toward the persons engaged in
the late rebellion.
Its tendency was TO melt away tho
rebel army, and thereby demoralfze The
Southern people. Time has Yindicated
| its wisdom, and thousands have aVailed
themselves of the liberal provisions of
the proclamation. II has received the
sanction of the country, and was GS;.
teencd and held, as much the law of
the land, as any act upon the Statute
book. Its provisions We're executed in
good faith by President Lincoln, from
the date of its issue until his death,
which was some time after the war was
regarded by every loyal man as virtn-
ally at an end.
President johnson, npon his acces-
sion to power, seems to have adopted
the wise and liberal policy of his pre-
decessOr. Upon the 10Th day of May,
| 1866, lie issued his Proclamation of AMI
nesty, which granted pardon to all per-
sons who were not enumerated in the
exceptions therein specified. In nddi-
tiOn to this, Gen. Grant paroled the
army of Gen. Lee, with the assent of
the President, and required them to re-
turn to their homes, there TO remain
| unmolested so long MS they observed the
conditions of their parole. II will be
observed that the policy of the Govern
ment, for the last two years, has been to
| their allegiance and homes, and submit
10 iIs authority. AS II matter of course,
whoever compiled with the wishes of
the Government was entitled to its pro-
lection. SubmissiOn.toi Its authority on
the one hand required its protection on
the other, Submission and protection
were corresponding duties. IL must be
apparent, then, to allgood citizens, that
It's their duty to aid the Government
i'll executing the wise and liberal policy
inaugurated by IL towards misguided
and erring people.
Instead of attempting to drive them
from their homes, by threats of intim-
idation, the good citizen should dis
countenance such n laVvleSs spirit, and
set the seal of his condemnation upon
such Il course of conduct. If such a
course is inaugurated, and pursued, IL
will embarrHss the Government, create
contention and strife, and be produc-
tive of the most unfortunate results
The Presidents have said by their pro-
cllmatiOns, that this Government Is in
substance administered in the light of
an enlightened christian policy, in per-
feet harmony with the civilization of
the age. Who can doubt for moment
that this great Government, To-day
prouder and more powerful i'll the rank
| of nations thnn any other upon the
fnce of the globe, can and should be
mngnanimous. Then let every law
abiding citizen aid the Government in
restoring peace and harmony through
out our country. Let the returned rebel
occupy the place assigned to him
by the law. Let the law have its;
course. If he has pardon respect
il, for IL is the law. Ii he is fetteretl
by the law, it is charity to treat him
with forbearance, for the law is abun-
dantly able to take cnre of itself. Let
us all learn, (lHhRteVer elselweL nIhy be
remiss inn to respect the Constitution,
observe the laws, and aid the govern
ment to re-establish It's authority where
ever il has been temporarily suspended.
II this rule eOfconductis is adopted, and
adhered to, there Will be no cause OF
apprehension in the future. Whilst
such q liue of policy; is pursued by the
| Government, IL is well for those who
have been engagedi in rebellion against
| it, to remember much is expected, and
n great deal required of them TO re-estab-
lish themselves In the confidence of the
country. Prudence would dictate Il
modest and retiring course, until mu-
tual confidence shall be restored be,
tween the loyal and the liEI0yal. A
different line of conduct would Justly
subject those who deserted their coun.
try in its sorest need, to bitter criticism
and severe reproach..H 81 80 - =
The loyal sentiment of the country 1.
exceedingly sensitive upon this subject
and great care should be taken not tC
excite or Outrage It. All should re
President, or his amnesty, Is condition,
!. al upon the due Observance upon thI
part Of the citizensy of the obligation
entered into, which was precedent Il
his obtaining IT. 'us-5 lii'ii 80 ~ r. -,
This policy having been indicated bJ