Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1865-06-03
p.raon,ng Power of tho President.
NV.sp1Xorox Mae n

Attorney Central Speed has given his
opinion, 10 response TO President Johnson's
letter Of the 2lst Of April. He argues
that the right aud power Of the President
TO pardon, aud TO issue any proclamation Of
amnesty, are derived from the clauses in
Constitution and the act Of Congress,
which he quotes. The high AID necessary
power Of extending pardon aud amnesty,
can never be rightly exercised, so as to
enable the President to ssy to the eHen
ders against the law.--I now offer you a
! free pardon for the past, or at any future
day, when you shall fail of the hope, or
after being foed in dangerous and bloody
enterprise, think proper 10 accept, will
give you pardon for the then pnst
When men have offended against the law.
their appeal is for mercy, not for justice.
He proceeds TO consider the questions
,, expounded by President johnson in the
proclamations dated 9Th d. cember, 1868
and s March, 1854 No doubt he says
many persons ere known at those periods
, 10 take the oath who could not have done
SO had the original proclamation continued
= The facts in such cases are accompli shed
aud the rights arising out of thos
facts have attached anj becom
J. vested. The Attorney General, after col
sderDg the proper operation aud Effect c
the Two proclamaiious, comes TO the con
clusion that another proclamation shoul
/! be issued Persons, he says should not b
:. invited to take an OATH aud to compl
D, with the terms, under which they cannt
u obtain fol mer legal rights Especially
those who have here ofole. and would nov
70 avail themselves in good faith OF the ben
fits of pardon and amesty, o proclsmatic
should be substituted covering the one no
%. past. Persons who have been cons tant
.r engaged in the rebellion should know di
- tincily what they are to do, when and ho
o they are 10 do it, To save themsely
" from punishment in whole or in part, su,
d. as have been Effected merely by 4
" reasonable associations, should pe forgive
mr. and an appropriate condition should be o
ere pended 10 the par don of many. The gra
ng aud favor Of the Government should nc
he be large and generous, and The operatio
To- and effects OF lis profered mercy shou
". not be left uncertain. As o measure
ee aid in the suppression of he rebellion, t
-. late proclamation has done its full G.
''s complete Office. No one is desired
aid in restoring order and re.oigan' ri
ily society in the rebellious S a,es. Il
rye construction is not needed; that word C,
= veys an erroneous idea. The Constitu;i
of this Government is as perfect as hum
'ull wisdom can make it. The trials to viii
ex its powers aud capacity have been subject
he 10 this effort of revolution and dsmemb
on' ment is the test 10 prove its principles o
ur' powers clearly and well, aud to dcfne VT
slo have carried US safely through our p'
OF troubles. Ours is not duty 10 reconstri
lhe or to charge that Society has REBEL
-es. against them, aud made war upon
riv- principles and powers of our Govetumc
TIL In so dorg, it has offended, and stand
by convicted culprit Mercy must he exte
re. ed. Some Of the principal leaders sho
lad be made to feel the full rigor Of The Ia
i've but mercy should be extended to the gr
's, mass of the misguided people. The pos
OF of pardon and mercy is an attribute to t
es end If this power Of pardon is wis
op, used, peace will be established soon G
sure, on a permanent basis.