New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-27
PACIFlCATION.

The For'd propounds objections that seeIn
to Us exceedingly oaptious to our proposn! that
Congress should, whether formally or inform
ally, olothe the President with the fullest pow
ers to be used for the pacifcation Of our country.
1t says:
I'VE see 40 necessity for clothing the President With
authority which would exempt bis conduct. however
absurd upoliiio 1t might be. from subsequent re-
rsal or review"
of course, not. Whoever accepts power
accepts responsibility, and can nowse evade it.
The country may Of course deal with the Presi'
dent-by impeachment, If nocessary-for any
abuse of his great trust. What We propose IL
that he be 80 empowered that the Rebels viii
know that his promises ard engagements are
sure and seadfast-that, when he guarantees
ANYTHING, there can be no mistake about IT..
The Nation may deal with him for any abuse Of
its confidence, but must not disayow him. Sup
pose. for instance, that a Convention OF the
States should be strongly desired, with view
10 the revision and improvement of our Federal
psct: he ought 10 DO able to give assurance
that one shall be called end held. And so on
other points.
! The World continues:
| "should the Rebel. nsk Immunity from the pains And
renalties denounced agust them In the CunLscaf!on
act md the Other hostile legislation Of Congress that
contingency is met and provided for IN hat part oil TIC
Constitution which invests the President with the paF'
don,nC power with other restriction on lis ekerose
han hs oHn discretion subject 70 tae ie.e" o. mo
a. court for The trial II imlehchnlcnis. IL Is better
that the Proden. should exercise his perdoning power
subject 10 this responsibility tan thst Compress 'uouI
pass an resolution Of which the only raeucaI
eeo gouli be- dvcst the two Houses Of their power
IL ultlIpa. review IN this most weight! snd nIrriani
business
At the Hampton Roads conference, the Prcsi-
dent gave full and explicit assurances OF tie Kind
above indicated. and they seem to have been re-
garded as insulting rather than corciliatory. We
have no doubt he went TO the very verge q hio
Executive power; but hi, pledges, thus given,
only bound himself personally and would be in
valid were he 10 die and the new Nice-Presiden,
10 take his place (Mr. johnson is understood not
TO cherish loving ,pirit in regard to Rebels. }
But. while the Presidcn, might sup1late t.
waive the personal penalties OF Treason, even
/ including Coniscation, there are acts Of Con-
eress now on the ststute-book very proper and
necessary acts. in our judgment) that exclude
! from seat In either House all who have given
aid OF countenance To the Rebellion, end nearly
if not quito preclude tie election Of Members
from States that have heep fully in the power Oi
the Coniederates. Now we DO No., say that
these inhibitioEs should IN any case be set
aside--we propose nothing Whatever asto terms
Of aGjustment--but il ismaniiest hat whoeyeris
TO ace conclusivey for the Nation in the contin-
Qency contemplated sho'.id have i'"-os' "'o. uii
whole suhjoct--shorld be able 70 say With au-
thority This will be done, TINT iorbcne, and
tie other repealed, if you return TO loyalty"
We might further elucidste this point, but ONT
remarks would surely be perverted, and We for
| bear. IL does seem 10 us that great mistake
will be made if Congress adjowTs without
clothing the President with the fullest power TO
act with o view 20 Peace as he may AZ 6ny time
deem conducive to the National well-being.