The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-06-03

Heproceeds TO consider the q1estions
propouoded by President Johnson, In The
proclamations dated respectively the 8th 81
December, 1863, and tho 28th Of March
1854. commonly called the amnesty procla-
nations. No doubt, he says, many per.
oath who could not have done 80 had the
original proclamation continued the excep-
tons set forth in the second proclamation.
What the rights were of those who took
the oath in that intermediate space Of time,
which should have been taken the 2Oeh OF
March, 1854, Is purely judicial question.
Inc facts In such cases are accomplished,
aud the rights arising out of these facts
have attached and become vested.
The Attorney General. after considering
the proper operation and effect of laws and
prociamattons, comes to the conclusion
that another proclamation should be is
sued. Persons. he Gays. should not be in
vited to take an oath aud comply with the
terms under which they canuot find legal
rights. 1t is especially to those who have
heretofore notaccepted tao benefits of par
d ei ard amnesty That another psoclan,a-
ton shculc be Issued, it covering the now
past. Persons who have been constantly
engaged in the rebellion should know dis
tincty what they are 10 do snd when they
are to DO it. To ail who hold themselves
for punishraert fer Whole cy pats g. such
az have been effected merely Ey .heir trea-
sonable associations should b<, forgiven
and an appropriate condition should he
appended 70 the pardon OF many. TIE
grace and fevcr Of tao GevernIa ont should
now be large and genercns, and the oper-
atoms and effects OF it's Yrcfered mercy
should not be left uncertain. Al 3 meas-
ure to aid In the suppression Of tie late re-
bellion, the late proclamation has done
~ fvl and complete Office: No !ene is de-
aired to aid In restoring order and 'reorgan.
i1ing; reconstruction IA not needed; that
struoaou Of tho Government il as perfect
40 human wisdom can make it. The trial
to which it, powers and capacity have been
subjected Ia this effort Of revolution and
dtsmemberment 10 the task to prove prin-
ciples and we'll defines that which has car
ried US safely through our past troubles.
Ours is not duty to reconstruct. to
not been ~ now, in . normal condition,
nor In harmony with the principles Of our
Government. That society has been In
rebellion against them and made wax up
on them and the Government, and byso do
ing, IL has offered the States q convicted
culprit. Mercy must be largely extended,
and some of the great leaders and offenders
the law, not in spirit Of revenge, but to
put the seal Of iLfamy upon their conduct.
But the mercy extended to the grsa. mass
OF the misguided people car, and should be
80 as to reorgsnize society upon loyal
and freedom loving basis. It "a manifest
y for their good and the good Of mankind
that this should be:done. The power of par
don and mercy ere adequate to this end
The spirit Of the rebellion mus. be rooted
out aud society brought in t,lese States in
perfect accord with the wise and thorough
IL tried principles Of our Government. If
this power of pardon ID wisely Used, peace
will be established upon sure aud per-
manent basis.