The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1865-09-30
The Corfiscation Laws.

grcatIy interested, commonly known as The
"Contiscation Act We publish tie text Of
the more Important sections in full and synop.
size those which prescribe details, or are OF
minor Importance. This Act was ratified OH
ever, Congress had passed laws creating pen.
altics in refer renee TO the tnen existing rebel
lion. The first Act on the snhject was passed
3lst July, 1861, and the second on the sth day
of August, 1861. But the Act of July 1852,
although il does not repeal or annul the CTS
of 1861, Is far more comprehensive, and in
its practical application measurably supcrcedes
the others It's under this Act (the ono pub
lishcd on first page) that the recent judicial
proceedings against estates in Virginia end
Tennessee have been instituted.
1t will lie seen that the law, as II relates 70
certain classes Of persons enumerated therein,
took immediat effect and the order for the
seizure Of their estates attached at once. III
other persons were allowed sixty days to aban.
don the cause Of the rebellion aud secure nlc
glance to The United States. after Proclama:
ton Of the President requiring, or warning
them, so to do. This PROCLAIM alton Of warn.
ing was Issued by President Lincoln on the
22d day OF September 1862. Az -J,crsol.s
therefore, WHO I'D not avail themselves of lis
Proclamation Of warnag-who did not aban
don the rebellion and subscribe to the oath OF
allegiance to the Government Of the United
States within sixty days from the f2j day OF
September 1862, stand precisely on the same
footing with those persons who arc particular
ly enumerated in the Act. Every individual
who did not avail himself Of the warning eso
tended, and who participated, either directly
or indirectly, in the rebellion, eiiher before or
after the date oi said Proclamation, without
reference TO his political or social station, and
without reference to the value OF his estate
whether the value thereof he fifty dollars or
fifty thousand dollars-is liable to the penalties
prescribed by the law. Nothing can be more
sweeping than this law l., and no conception
can be had OF the dcsolation and ruin it will
entail upon tho country IL enforced. And We
have no reason for assuming that Il viii not bc
cnforced, "''css tie pcrsons affected BY Il drd!i
N.msri,cs II tee remedies ,hich hare G.cp pro,
riA'd Wewill now enquire villa, taose cerp c.
dies are:
The thirteenth section Of the Act authorizes
the President, "at any time thereafter by proc
lmation to extend to all persons who may
have participated in the then existing struggle,
in any State, or part thereof pardon aud am.
ncsty with such exceptions, aud at such times.
aud upon such conditions, a. he may deem ex-
Pedisn; for the public welfare"
President johnson, under this authority, on
the 29th day of May last, published his p. -
lamation, u vclar.ng amnesty TO oil Who may
have participated, either directly or by implics,
ton, in hostility to the Gov vernment., upon %.
king the oath. or affirmation, which was PFC.
scribed therein. lie also made known that
they were thereby entitled to the restoration
Of all their rights OF property except as to
slaves, and also except where legal proceed.
ings under the laws Of the United States had
already been. instjtuted for the confscniion Of
benefits OF the proclamation certain specified
classes. Ia reference to those last referred TO,
he required that s?ecial, application should be
made for remission, and declared that such
clemency would be liberally extended as may
be consistent with the facts of the case and tile
peace and dignity OF the United Sn'cs. -
Ills, therefore, pl4in III a. the only mode Of
preventing the op pGgaian OF thsse pas,al ae,s, Il
for all who are not within the excepted e'ass,
esto take this amnesty oath. There is no OH
er say. This can nlo e be cfectuai and sutlf
cient Il Completely restores the status OF the
person, aud enablcs linn 10 secure the possess.
Ion OF his property, provided proceedings haze
not been instituted for its eonGscation before
the period at which the oath was administered
For those who arc isciaded in the exceptions
the way is equally clear. They can only be re.
levcd by the accep tance Of tie same catt, and
in addition thereto by making through the P.o,
visional Governor q special application FOR re-
mission. 1t is the highFst duty aud interest
OF all, and Of the State, that hey should ae,
eept and adopt the met thod by which their
rights OF person, property, citizenship, suffrage
aud Office can be secured.