The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-11
THE yrRcINIAN BEFORE THE ALIEN

xaE yl&E1N1RN bEFUhE THE ALIEN
On Saturday last, deputation of Vir.
ginians--"to the manner BORN to
man we suppose, waited upon the Presi-
dent OF the United States, Mr.. Andrew
johnson, 1.-THE olien," and petitioned
him to alter the Amnesty Proclamation
oy striking out the 18th exception, (the
$4,000 clause.) They represented that
this clause interfered with the develop.
ment OF industry by binding up capital,
and so oppressed the poor. How feeling,
indeed. The deputation went on to as.
sure the President that when they en-.
deavored to borrow money in the North.
ern or Middle States they were met at
once with the objection that perhaps
they had over 5000, and if they had
they could not lend it to them. So they
We're unable to assist to work the moor
men that called upon them.
The President reminded them that
the Amnesty Proclamation did not cause
this distrust. 1t was the commission of
treason and the violation of law that did
1T. The Amnesty Proclamation left
these men just where they were before.
1t did not add any disability to them; if
they had committed treason they were
amenable to the confiscation law which
Congress had passed, and which he, as
President, could not alter nor amend.
In the Amnesty Proclamation he had
offered pardon to some persons, but that
did not injure any other persons. Would
they like to have the Amnesty Procla-
nation removed altogether? Would
they feel any easier in that case?
One Of the deputation.--No. But 1t
would assist us very much if you would
extend the benefits of the Proclamation
to persons worth over $4,000.
The President replied that in making
that exception he had acted on the nat
ural superstition that men had aided the
rebellion according to the extent of their
means. Did they not know this?
One of the elepatation.--No; he didn't
know it.
The Pyesilent.-Why, yes you do;
you know perfectly well it was the
wealthy men of the South who dragoon-
ed the people into secession. I lived in
the South, and know how the thing
was done. Your State was overwhelm-
ingly opposed to secession, but your
rich men used the press and bullies and
your little army to force the State into
secession. Take the $4,000 clause. Sup
pose man is worth more than that, now
the war is over, and the chances are ten to
one that ne made 1t out of the rebellion
by contracts, &c. We might as well talk
plainly about this matter. don't think
thatyou are sovery anxious about reliev-
ing the poor. You wantthis clause remov-
cd 30 as to enable you to make
money, don't your If you are
very eager to help the poor, why
don't you take the surplus over the
$40, 900 you own and give it to them? In
that way you'll help them, and bring
yourselves within the benefits of the pro-
clamation. I am free tosaytoyou that I
think some of you ought to be taxed on
ell over $40, 900 to help the poor. When
I was Military Governor of Tennessee
assessed such tax,s on those who had
been wealthy leaders of the rebellion,
and it had good effect.
One of the deputation.-"T 1t SO hap
pens that none Of US were leaders, We
staid out as long as we could, and were
the last to go in" How does the Rich
mond Republic like this speech? Did a
Bringing alien, or a citizen, ever stoop
so cringinglyP
The President.-Frequently those who
went In last were among the worst after
they got in. But be that as 1t may
Understand me, gentlemen, I do not say
this personally. am just speaking of
the general working of the matter. l
know there has been among some an eff
fort to persuade the people that the Am
nesty Proclamation was injuring them
by shutting up capital and keeping work
from the poor. 1t does no such thing.
IF that is done at all, it is done in con-
sequence of the violation of law and the
of treason.
The President said, finally, that he
would look at the papers presented, but
go far, he had seen no reason for remoV-
ing the 18th exception.
II SENS to us that the proud natives
NJ Richmond belittled themselves In at
all presenting themselves before MI
johnson. He is not a Virginian! lie
is, according to the Richmond fep"0-
nc. an alien and, being an alien, Is at
the great fence which protects the Moth-
er of States.
TIE New York Tribune says: we
do not concur with those who deem IL
particularly revolving to hang woman"
If the editor had said: "We do not |
concur with those who deem it particu-
..o.,olt ,,cr IN hmm annaa xroranan " L