The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1865-10-25

question which has been as yet hut little
discussed. | pretend not to predict with
confidence what action Congres s. ma y take
in regard 10 it. can only judge Of what
they will dnffom what believe in reason
and justice they ought to do. | cannot
suppose thai after the surrender OF the
Southern armies. the frank and manly sc-
kno~ledgemenl Of deIeai and sf the failure
az the reyolution. and after the steps that
have been taken 10 restore not only con-
stitutional but kind relations between the
States lately in rebellion and the Federal
government, that any feeling Of yindicti,e-
ness or revenge will sway thu determine
iions Of either branch of Congress.
IL then il can be demonstrated :hat the
sct Under consideration has served IFS pur.
pose. j. no longer necessary or Just, and is
wi.hal in palpable confic: with the proyi-
sions Of The Csnstiiutieu.,I II ASSUME that
there will be no hesi,aton In It's repeal or
abandonment. There were doubtless ma
ny acts Of Congress and other measures a.
dopted by carh Of The belligerenis While
tile war ragged, 10 which ,he Latin adage
may be applied. Iuror mmisfrof arma--
measures adopted 10 the heat of re,olu-
tionaiy phrensy as means of aggressive llps.
,illty. and supposed safety and nece ssity.
Tor The time icing. bat having no view 70
state OF peace. OF This class was The ac I
before u. II bears date in guly, 1862,
nhen there vas no member sitting or ex-
pected 10 take a seat ~ either House from
all Tie Southern Stairs; immediately after
the defeat ~ the expedition II General Me-
cleilan ~ seven days battle ia The ~.
cinity of Richmond at period the mos,
diS s;rous 10 the srns Of The United States
Oi the whole war: when the musl stringent
appliances may we'll have been deemed in
di.pcnsable q guard against neachery in
public oficrrs 10th 1t the arm, and navy,
and even in the ti,li service aud u eau.
rot be reasonably inferred lha, il was de.
signed 10 be applied after the conclusion
Of peace iu persons Who had returned 10
their loyalty and duis. and had sealed
their fidelity with new oath Of allegiance
OF amnesty a. punishment fnr their of-
iruse Tor taking part 10 the war. This would
be 10 convert preeautionas, and prevent
i've ssprdient II war into 4 new, unusual
and severe punlshmeni 10 tune oi peace
and that in case where the condemnation |
Is without trial. and the party is cempell- |
ed TO give evidence against himself. The !
act according O. the exclusive operatlou 1
propasei 10 b. given 70 II, 1, nothing more
Or les than i decree of disability eycrl
iherraiter 10 hold Office under the govern.
ment Of the United States. against aay cit.
ixen. ist. ~ho ever voluntarily bore arms
against the United States; I'll. uho has
voluntarily gwen all. cnun,enaner. coan
sel or rnrourascmrni to psrsnis is armed /
hostility thereto; 5rl. who ever sought,
accepted or attempted 10 exercise The lune-
tiOns u any uHiee whatever under any au-
ihor,l, % pretended auihnrity III hostility
/, the United states; I,h. who las Yield
cd voluntary support 10 any pretended
government, authority. power ar const,tu-
liun within the United States hostile or in
imical thereto; and the u.li j. rendered
uids 4, means u compelling rhe part, 10
discover his .oan gaill rs rela-al--a guilt
whose STAN. eannot be wsshrd out ~ az
Presidential yaiden. which. according n
tic constitution and the law. eeanses the
offender 10 al cs,es. except where he Las
bcca convicted by impeachment. An ~.
gument Il hafdl, necessary 10 prove that
exclusions from the right To hold Office s
punishment under cur system Of govern.
Ineui. since "rcmosal from ofiee and dis
qualification 10 hold snd enjoy an, Office
81 hunur, trust or profit" i The penalty !
in the great offences triable by
impeachment. Now cannot believe, when
his ACT is viewed in its true light, and it
$ perceived that the policy which dictated |
i has passed away. that Congress OF any
'ther authority vi the government will fail
% yield its assent TO SO obvious a maxim
IS that when the reason of the law ceases.
hc law itself should cease 10 operate; or