The daily mountaineer. (Dalles, Or.) 1861-1866, 1865-11-11
THE ADMINISTRATION POLICY OF
RECONSTRUCTION

States to acquire new power in the southern
section of the Union, but 10 vindicate rights
expressed in the Constitution. No circum-
stance has since occurred, except the effect of
war on the institution of African slavery,
which in any manner affects the measure of
the Geneneral Government, and the govern
ments of the various States. The theory of
our Government is such that the States must
all be equal in the Government, or the
laws cannot be fairly executed. There can
not be one rule for South Carolina and an
other for Massachusetts,, and the attempt to
institute such distinctions must, sooner or
later result in war-terrible and desolating
war.
The offenses of sccessionists in the late
war were against the General Government, and
not against the States. The pardon of Of
tenders against the National Government
places them in a position OF innocence as
against anything which any State may enact.
What is now called pardon is simply amnesty
or oblivion. Amnesty precedes conviction,
in general way, and pardon, in legal sense,
can only be given after conviction is procured.
The ex-rebels who are now experiencing the
clemency of the President are receiving am
nesty for their ofenses against the laws of
the nation, or, to define it fully, their offenses
are oblivious in the eyes of the law. Legally,
they are in precisely the same condition as if
thay had never rebelled, and on this account
are made eligible to all Offices of honor, profit
or trust.
The President, it seems has deemed it pro-
per to throY the mantle of oblivion over the
acts of many, not to say most, of the leading
ex-rebels. He has, in this matter, carried out
the often repeated declaration of the people
of the non seeding States, that if the people
of the South would come back to the Union,
they should have a heart warm welcome.
Says Mr.. Seward to a foreign ambassador,
"Sir, if the South will come back to us, we
will surprise the world by the generosity with
which her people shall be treated" These,
it is we'll known, were the sentiments OF Mr..
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revenge never crept.
In accordance with the sentiments of mag
nanimity and generosity, which should ever
be the ruling traits of brave and great peo.
pie, Mr.. Johnson has judiciously dispensed
the healing influences of mercy to the South.
ern people, at the same time tempering il
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his conduct he has won the entire confidence
of the people of the South, and while he ha,
done thus much, no man. void of the misera
BILE prejudice of sectionalism, can say that h'
has in any manner compromised the homo
s and interests of the non-seceding States o
r Union.
5 His project of reconstruction was neve
b meant for an "experiment - it was intende,
e to be carried into execution with all tn
vigor he can infuse into it. There is n
earthly probability that it will be retracte
or materially modified. 1t then only re
!. mains for those who indorse the present pre-
- ject to come up to its support with q will
4 No weak and uncertain support will NEE
the requirements of the case. If the Unio
organization, without hypocrisy, endorse
If the President in his work of benefcence,
/ can command the votes of the vast ma jorit
n of the inhabitants east of the Cascades, b,
J. yond question. Without this is done freel
Of and cheerfully, the battle will be hard on
As fur as the eastern district is concerned,
is beyond dispute the sentiment Of the Unc
=, party to endorse the conduct of tie Presiden