The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-05-31
Decision cf Attorney General Speed.
Washington, Nav 80,

1
| Attorney General Speed has given AZ
elaborate decision in response to the
Presidents letter of the 2lst Of Apri
last. He argues that the right and power
Of the President TO pardon and to issue
any proclamation Of amnesty are derived
from the clause in the constitution and
the act of Congress which he quotes -
The high aud necessary power OF extend
ing pardon aud amnesty can never be
rightfully exercised so as to enable the
President TO ssy TO offenders sgaiDst the
law, IL now offer free pardon for the
past OF any future ofense when you shall,
from b. fl d hopes or after being foiled
in dsngsrous and bloody enterprises,
think proper to accept will give you
pardon tor the then past" When nen
have offended sgsins. the Law their appeal
IS Tor mercy. DO, for justice. He pro
ceeds to consider the questions PROFOUND
ed By Presidents Lincoln in the proclama-
sioss dstsd respectively the 8sh Of Des.,
1868, and 26th Of March, 1864. commonly
called the amnesty proclams,ions. No
doub', he say, many persons did, between
those periods, take the oath Who could
not have done 80 bad the original PROC
ismstion contiIaed. fhe exceptions set
forth in lhe second, W tt are the rights
OF those who took the At in that inter
mediate space of time. sd who could not
have taken that Of o61h of March, is |
purely judicial question. The facts 10
such cases are accomplished and The
rights Arising out of those facts have at.
tsched and become vested. The Attorney
General after considering the proper ope-
ration aud effect of the last proclamation
CONES to the confusion that another
proclamation sbosld be issued Persons. |
he says, should not be invited 10 take al
oath and to comply with the terms under
which they cannot obtain former legal
rights. Ii is especially to those who |
have heretofore and would now aysil
themselves in good faith Of the bene 6ls
OF pardon and amnesty that another proc.
lama,ion should be substituted covering
the now past.
Persons who have been constantly en-
gagged in the rebellion should know dis.
linctly what they are 10 do, when and
how they sfe to do it, 10 free themselves
Ir ON punishment 10 whole or 10 part. aod
such as have been effected merely by
beir REASONABLE associations should be
forgiven and an sppr pirate condition
should be appended to the pardon of
many. The grace aud favor of the Gov
SHOULD now be large aud geue
-ous, and the operation and effec. OF ito
preferred mereJ should 70, be left uncer.
ain. AS measure to aid in the sup
pressing of The late rebellion the lste
proclamation has done its full and com.
Diete Office Now one is desired to aid
n restoring order and Organizing society
u the rebeilious S.a,es.
Reconstruction IL not needed. That
word conveys an erroneous idea. TIE
CONSTRUCTION Of this Government, is as
perfect 80 human wisdom can make il.
lne trial to sbieh lis po sers and cspaci-
les have be n sulj cled in this effort Of
o prove principles aed powers clearly
ID we'll defl ed that have carried 20
'siely through our preseet troubles Oars
5 tot duty 10 reconstruct or to change.
ciety Ia reb-l States has not been aud is
rot now IN a normal condition nor 10 bar
nony WITH the principles of our Govern
nent; ths. society has rsbelied against
hem ana made war upon the principles
md po~ef- OF our Government In 50
LONG 1t has off nded api stands a con
''e'ed cuiprit M-tcy must hs largely
x;ended. Sone of he great leaders aud
1t pders mu,t be made 10 feel tbs exl
fene tig'r Of the Law, no, in spI, of
eveoge, bat 10 put the seal Of infsmy
lpo0 the Ir coadaes; bas ,be mercy ex.
ended to the great mas OF the nisguidrdl
people csn and should be So Us, d IS to re
'rgan'x. society upon q loyal and free
Ion loving basis IL is manitestly for
heir good snd the good OF mankind tina,
his should be done The power OF par
ION and mercy is adequ4ts to tits eld.
Sieh conditions precedent AID subse-
iuent can legally and property be append
ID ns will root out tue spirit Of rebellion
md bring society in these States in per-
Get accord with the will and thoroughly
ried principles OF our Government. III
his power Of pardon is wisely used peace
will be established upon sure and sound
,asis.