Washington telegraph., 1865-06-28


dent Johnson's letter of the 2Ist of
April last He argues that the right and
power of the President to pardon and TO
issue any proclamation OF amnesty are
derived from the clauses in the Constitu-
ton and the act of Congress, which he
quotes. The high and necessary power
of extending pardon and amnesty can
never he rightfully exercised 50 as to
make the President TO say to Offenders
against the law: Il offer you free par
don for the past or at any future day,
when You shall, from baffled hopes or
after being foiled in dangerous and bloody
enterprises. think proper to accept, Will,
give you pardon for the then past =
When men have offended against the law
their appeal j. for mercy, not for justice
He proceeds TO consider the questions
propounded by President johnson on the
proclamations dated respectively the Sth
Of December, 500, and thr both Of .Ta. cE.
1864, commonly called the Amnesty
ProclamaliOns
No doubt, he says, many persons did,
between these periods, take tn tth who
could not have done 50 had the original
proclamation contained the exceptions Yet
forth in the second What the rightsare
of those who took the oath iii that inter
mediate space Of time. and who could not
have taken it after The 26th Of March, il
purely Judicial question.
The facts in such cases are accom-
plisled, aud the rights arising out of thes,.
facts are attached and become vested
The Attorney General, after considering
the proper operation and effect Of the two
proclamations, comes to the conclusion
that another proclamation should be is
sued. Persons, he says, should not be
invited TO take an oath and to comply
with terms under which they cannot OBJ
tain firm legal rights.
1t is especially due to those who have
heretofore and would now avail them
selves in good faith Of tie benefits Of
pardon and amnesty, that another proc
lamation should be submitted, covering
the now past. Persons who have been
know distinctly what they are to do, and
when and how they are to do it, to free
themselves from punishment in whole or
in part, or to reinstate themselves As be
fore the rebellion. Such n have been
affected merely by their treas6nabl- asso-
Citations should be absolutely forgiven.
Appropriate conditions should be ap
pended to the pardon of many; the grace
and favor Of the Government should now
be large and generous, and tie operation
and effect of its protfered mercy should
not be left uncertain.
As measure TO aid in the suppression
Of the rebellion, the late proclamation La
done its full and complete Office Now
one is desired to aid in restoring order
and recognizing society in the rebellious
States. Reconstruction il not needed
The construction of this Government is
as perfect as human wisdom can make it.
The trial to which it power and capaci-
tics have been subjected iii this nffDrt AT
revolution ard dismrmberment proves
with what wisdom its foundations have
been laid Ours is n task to preserve
principles and powers clearly and well
defined, and that have carried H. safety
through our past troubles. Ours j. not 4
duty to reconstruct or change Society
in the rebel States has not been, and il
not now in normal condition, nor iu har-
ul1ny with the principles Of our Govern
ment. I'm 50 doing it has offended, ana
: ands a convicted culprit. Mercy must
be largely extended.
Some Of the great leaders anl oif .nf-
ers only must be made to fvtl lhe extreme
rigor Of the law, not in 4 spirit d revenge.
but 70 put the seal Of infamy upon their
conduct. But the mercy extended tn the
great mass If the misguided people cn
and should be 20 used a. t0 rrc l.-nizn s1-
ciciy upon loyal and freelom-loying
basis. 1t smanitestly " fartheir good and
the good of mankind that this should be
done. The power Of pard anl mercy
is adequate to this end Such conditions
precedent and subsequent can legally and
properly be appended as will root ont the
spirit of rebellion, and bring society in
these States into perfect accord with tile
wise and thoroughly tried principles Of
our Government. If this power of par
don is wisely used, peace will be estab-
lished upon a sure and permanent basis.
--------e---a
JEFF. DAVIS AND HIS DRESSING Gown
Two graphic" descriptions of the cap
ture of Mr. Davis are given in the Jour
mails Of yesterday. Every incident re-
lated in the one is contradictsd III the
other. We have not the slightest doubt
that both are equally correct, and purely
tue inventions of imaginative correspon-
dents. One account says that
mo aiaria was given until the advance
guard, under command of Capt. G. 5.
Hudson, were within a few rods of the
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