Evening star., 1865-05-30

a1eIllE1annznBulD
Of the offer. This opinion il dedr .sd ,youa
principle, and independently Of sns Language
The language Of the frs. proclamation =,
however, consonant with this opinion II il
addressed to "au pe-sons scho have participates
.. nc eststsns srebellion'-words referring % ne
II I am right in this construction Of the pro.
sSstamaion-and am satisfied In my own mind
sna. am-another proclamation eneuld DO
wh,as nI oain and to comply with terms under
is esnsey sney cannot obtain firm legal rights. It
ava Tonsy due to those who have heretofCfe,
az ts %oSsa now avail themselves, In good faith,
OK tne benefits Of pardon and amnesty that
SuonS. pioSiamation should be substituted.
hesn cnnstan,iv NOV srp past: Persons who have
know dlstiRctly what they are to do.when and
how they are 10 do 1t, to free themseives fror,
state themselves as before the rebelliop' SER
as have been affected merely By their treason
able associations should be absolutely forgiven
Appropriate conditions should be appended to
the pardon OF many The grace and favor Of
the Government should now be large and gem
erous, and the operation and effect Of Its pEof-
fered mercy should not be left uncertain.
The second question you ask, Is as 70 the
rights Of the citizens and residents OF the rebel
States who have not taken, or offered TO take,
,rs,1a Inc oath and comply with the terms OF the
Here, again, we meet trouble and uncer-
tainty.
The expressed objects of the proclamation
are 10 suppress the ipSarrectlon and TO restore the
dehority Of the United States. Can any one be
permitted TO take the oath and comply with
ne terms prescribed in the proclamation, in q
state or community where the civil and
military power Of the insurrection has been
destroyed and the rebellion suppressed, and
the authority OF the United States is estab-
lished without let or hndraBce! Or does me
insurIection continue, in legal contemplation,
though not in fact, until the Executive De-
partment of the Government shall, by procla-
dor hqf hpa
And would this proclamation of pardon and
amnesty continue and be open after procla-
nation that the rebellion had been suppressed.
It would seem, from the proclamation, that
the amnesty was extended to those who were
willing to aid in suppressing, as we'll as re-
storing; and yet 1t may. and doubtless will be-
contended, and with much force and show OF
reason, that all who have stood by and clung
to the insurrection till Its organization and
power, both civil and military, were gone,
have nevertheless q right to tale all the bene-
fits of the amnesty, because they will lend a
reluctant aid in restoring an authority which
they hate. Amnesty Is profered for aid in sup
pressing and restoring; amnesty is demanded
for aid in the work OF restoration. Full re-
ward ia required for less than half Of the
service that is needed.
As a measure to aid in he Supp'essios Of the
rebellion, the late proclamation has done its
full ard complete Office Now, one Is desired
to aid in restoring order and reorganzing society
in the rebellious States. Reconstruction is not
needed that word conveys an erroneous idea.
The construction OF this government is as per-
feet as human wisdom can make it. The trial
to which its powers and capacities have been
subjected in this effort at revolution and dis
memhernent proves with what wisdom its
foundations have been laid. Ours is 8 task 70
preserve principles and powers clearly and
well defined, and that have carried us safely
through our past troubles. Ours is not duty
10 reconstruct or to change. Society in the
rebel States has not been and is not now in a
normal condition, nor in harmony with the
principles OF our Government. That society
has rebelled against them, and made war upon
the principles and powers or our Government.
In so doing il has offended, and stands con-
yfcted culprit.
Mercy must be largely extended. Some Of
the great leaders and offenders only must be
made to feel the extreme rigor of the law-not
in spirit OF revenge, but TO put the seal OF in
fanny upon their conduct. But the mercy ex-
tended to the great mass of the misguided peo-
pie can and should be so used as TO reorganize
society upon loyal and freedom loving basis.
1t is manifestly for their good, and the
good Of mankind that this should be done.
The power of pardon and mercy is adequate
to this end. Such conditions, precedent ana
subsequent, can legally and properly be ap-
pended as will root out the spirit OF rebellion,
accord with the wise and thorough. tried prin-
ciples of our Government.
Ii this power OF pardon is wisely used, peace
will be established upon q sure and perma-
nent basis.
On these grounds, in addition to what has
been before said / am Of the opinion tnat an
other and q new offer of amnesty, adapted 10
the existing condition Of things, should be pro.
claimed.
I do not conceive that 1t is in place just now,
even if / were prepared to do so, which Am
not, because not sufficiently ad vised OF the tenn
per Of those so lately in rebellion, Tor me 70 say
what should be the terms OF the suggested pro-
clamation.
1 have the honor to be, sir, very respect.
fully, your obedient servant,
JAMES SPEED, Attorney General