The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-15
THE QUESTION OF PARDON.
LETTER FROM GOVERNOR PIER
POINT TO THE PRESIDENT.

we yesterday briefly io'i
that Governor Pierpoint had WRITTEN
letter to President Johnson, asking the
extension of the Amnesty and PARDON
.tothe people of Virginia without reser-
walton. Below we giyetheletter In fuli'
His Ercelency Andre,u johnson, Pres1-
dent of me United States:
The validity and efficiency OF certain
pardons and amnesty, under Presldgnt
Lincoln,s proclamation during the re-
belIion, appear to be uncertain or doubt
full in some minds, if not in that OF your
Excellency. On Ione point, involving
not only rights of individuals, but Inc
national honor, I propose respectfully 10
submit some reflections for your cohsio-
eration: e1ll GT
Is not every rebel or participation IN
the rebellion, who fully complied Win
the terms and conditions OF said procia-
nation prior to the issue of that OF your
Excellency of the Goth May, 1862 EMU
tied to full pardon, amnesty, and resto-
ration, according to the terms OF the
proclamation perfect and indefeasibie
by subsequent executive act? The ques-
ton supposes that, in some instances,
the party continued in rebellion after
the date Of the proclamation offering the
pardon and amnesty.
: A reference to the deplorable condi-
ton of the country, the dreadful convul-
sion of the nation, the fearful perils to
our Union, the Constitution and its su-
premacy, will recall and justify the wise
measures adopted, from time to time, 10
avert the dreaded calamity. Many States,
with organized and efficient govern
ments, embracing vast extent of terri
tory. and millions Of inhabitants, and
great resources, guided and controlled
by able and influential men, had sece-
ded from the Union had formed CEN
trail confederation, commanding and ex-
acting military service from the whole
population, and supplies from the whole
resources of this territory and people
| had large and formidable armies, OF skill
and valor, waging war against the UNI.
| ted States; had long successfully defieC
the mower and threatened the life of the
| Union. Such stupendous and danger
Gus rebellion demanded from the legisla
tive and executive departments of the
| United States the utmost prudence, wis
dom and vigor, for the preservation o
the Union and the restoration of its lie
Ultimate supremacy. Within the vas
range of the rebellion the authority 0
the United States was entirely displaced
and that of the Confederacy substituted
and inexorably enforced by IRRESISTIBLE
power, dominant over all the inhabi
tants.
THE OBJECT OF MR.. LINCOLN'S AMNEsT'
PROCLAMATION.
For wears the tremendous mllltar,
and naval power of the Union operated
with but partial orlimited success in tn
expulsion and displacement of rebel dc
mination. The integrity of the Union
the supremacy of its authority, and tn
prosperity of the nation, were not mere
| Nv menaced, but most fearfully jeo
parded. To avert the dire issue of fail
ure. to encourage and promote success
to insure triumph to the Union cause
i not only suggested but imperiously re
ouired of the Government to use inces
sanity all the possible, legitimate an
manifold means conducive or adequat
to the attainment of this grand cOnsun
nation. Military force was the essen
tial and paramount fundamentally
success; il was, therefore, employed o.
a gigantic scale. But to military force
producing carnage and desolation, a
wise and humane governments add til
force of reason and exhortation, espt
cially in civil war. The policy of un
, ting humane and pacific efforts, such 9
pardon and amnesty prudently quail
| fed, is eminently appropriate and con
mendable in case of rebellion or insul
: rection; and it has been illustrated witt
r signal success in numerous historical ir
! stances. Cordial peace being the desil
and object of the Government in sue
cases. and such power being EN-
nently useful, if not actually essentia
: the power Is inherent in all wise an
efficient governments, and it is there
fore familiar in history. This powe
being necessary, and, in fact, recognize
in the Constitution of the United State
with scarcely any limitation, unque
, tionably exists in the government OF th
/ Union. 1t seems to me, moreover, ths
it has been wisely and efficiently en-
ployed by your distinguished predece
:. sors in the issue, diffusion and applies
tion of his proclamation Of pardon an
amnesty to rebels during the rebellion
THE SPIRIT IN WHICH THE PEOPLE
VIRGINIA ACCEPTED IT.
President Lincoln's Amnesty Procl,
nation, issued during the rebellion, ws
| an instrument, among Others, devise
and promulgated for the suppression I
| the rebellion, by operating on the feal
and hopes and affections of individual
, in hostility to the Union. In the mos
solemn, public and authentic form
/, pledges the faith and honor of the Unto
,, to all persons who accept and respect tn
i, terms rendered. implicitly relying 0
) this plighted faith, many persons in vi
pinia have taken the oath, and compile
with all the terms and conditions tel
dered, and faithfully observed then
Among these are persons of integrit
and good faith and valuable citizens
who. unless the efficacy of such pardo
and amnesty be indefeasible, are sti
subject to all the pains and penalties {
treason because they fall within one G
more of the exceptions contained /
YOUR Excellency's proclamation of th
10Th day of May, 1865. Why should tn
4 validity of such pardons be doubted 9
questioned, especially by the Executiv
Of the United States? AS the act of tn
former Executive, expressive of his well
known policy, approved by the popula
voice in his reelection, and as involy
| ing the National faith, plighted in tn
most imposing form, it is manifestly tn
duty, as it should be the pleasure, of tn
Government to recognize, and, if requi
site, to ratify these pardons as sanctifie
by the sacred and inviolable faith of
mighty and magnanimous nation. From
your Excellency this recognition woul
be most gratefully and happily received
1t would excite generous sentiment q
home and extort just admiration abroad
THE SINCERITY OF MIR. LINCOLN IN is
SUING 1T.
| L.,