Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-06-01
The Press ON the Amnesty PrOcla-
nation.

nation
NTAcN 50. Louis Republican thus speaks of
the Amnesty Proclamation:
@The exceptions named in the proclama-
ton, of those to whom the amnesty is not
extended, embraces, 1t is true, large class
OF the prominent rebels-somewhat larger,
indeed, than named inNPresident Lincoln's
amnesty; but the proviSo at the close leaves
ample room and verge enough to reduce the
number very extensively. In the promise
to treat sh6er0llv' applications for special
pardon by persons in the excluded classes,
we believe the President means every thing
that the expression implies, and perhaps a
great deal more than was deemed advisable
to say in document of this character. For
the present the leaders, and especially the
bad men of the rebellion, may have no ref
uge; but to the masses Of the South the
proclamation opens the way to peace and
security" t FH
( The Cincinnati Commercial takes this view
of il: Isle rFf 4a.a.a.s Fssfqa ~ Z
"Doubtless, this proclamation will disap-
pointth expectations of many who coun-
seled greater leniency and moro compre-
hensive amnesty. But, 1t must be remem-
bered that the President does not say this
pardon shall not be extended to the persons
excepted from the benefit of general am
nesty. In excluding them from its provis-
ions, he means to have it understood that
their cases demand special investigation,
and that they shall not be allowed to resume
all their rights of property and citizenship,
without first answering, in person, for their
conduct, and showing cause why the Exec
utive clemency should be exercised IN
their behalf. We understand it to be the
,fe 4. Il RI nvornica tho r.
doning power invested in him, literally,
almost generally, but only upon special APP
plication, and with a view to promote the
best interests of the Government secure
the peace, and vindicate the honor of the
United States. It, therefore, by no means
follows, that exclusion from the general
amnesty means exclusion from all pardon.
By making special cases of the classes OF
offenders named as excepted, the President
reserves the opportunity to discriminate
against those who were the instigators OF
the rebellion without provocation, and
those who were carried with the revolution,
which they set in motion from wicked and
ambitious motives only" 81" [
The New York Tribune talks of it in this
way: ''
oPresident Johnson's new Proclamation Of
Amnesty, herewith published, will proba-
bly, enable about half those who have been
rebels, but nowise conspicuous in the rebel
lion, to take the prescribed oath of amnes-
ty and become again recognized citizens OF
the United States. entitled to vote in all
future elections. The other half, including
all who have been Generals in the armies
or ambassadors, Congressman, Judges,
Governors, &c. &C.. under the rebel sway,
must stand back awhile and give the lead
to the masses, by which, we presume, loyal
State Governments are to be organized; but
the magnates will generally be allowed al
so to take the oath and return to citizenship
on special application, where no reason APP
pears for refusing. This is but step, and
is taken with evident caution; we doubt
not that other steps will soon follow if this
works to the Presidents satisfaction"
In relation to it The Nep York Times thus
expresses itself:
"The chief interest of the proclamation,
as it now stands, is in the reservation of the
special pardoning power, which President
johnson will, unquestionably, exercise with
judicious, and at the same time liberal re-
gard both to the character of individual
Offenders, and to the welfare and peace OF
the nation at large"