The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-01-19
SadU Justice be administered?
BY REV. LEONARD BACON, D. D.


From the beginning of the rebellion 10
the present hour the character Of this
American people, and especially the char
acter and power of our American Chris
tianlty. have been on trial before the
world. A special trial is involved in the
closing up OF the war and the reconstruct
ton (as we commonly call iD which is
now IN progress. 1t has already been
seen III part-it is vet to be seen more de-
cl>!vc! vc!y-whether the Christian spirit of
forgiveness is characteristic OF the nation
in dealing with a'yanquiShed enemy. Al
ready a large and generous amnesty has
been proclaimed by the government and
ratified by the concurrence of the people
OF the classes excepted by tic President
from the general amnesty, many individ-
nals have been specially parloncd on their
personal petitions and professions; and
there Is no doubt that many others will
obtain the same favor The understand
ing Is not that all the persons excluded
from the amnesty are reserved for Judicial
trial, but that they are to he disposed OF
as individuals. and that 0aong them are
to he found the men WHO should be held
Responsible for the rcbelIion Manite<tlv.
the government and the people are ready
to deal literally with their yan1ui>hcd on
cmieS. This is as it should be; the
sweeping amnesty. and tie large lispensa-
tion OF pardons to individuals in the ex-
cepte'! classes. are preparing the way, if
mistake not, for Il complete reconciliation
between the the country and those who
have been lis enemies i'll arms. aud for
such !, measure of mutual confidence be-
tween the North and the South rs has
never yet existed.
But when we announce. in general
terms, the duty OF forgiveness. and talk
about Il iull oblivion OF the late conflict,
and anticipate y new era Of good feeling.
we are far from saving all that needs to
be SAID concerning the manner in which
the people ot the United States, and the
government acting for the people, ought
to close the record of the rebellion which
ila~ made these last five wears 50 mrmor;,-
bic in the history Of the world. There /,
|; Il duty of Justice a. we'll Il, q duty OF ior-
giNenc~S: and those who represent Chris
.lanity Is teaching men to think Ii-htl Y OF
6 justice. and to ignore the necessity cl pun
i>hmcnt for crime, have no RIGHT comcep'
ipn Of the Gospel, nor OF the character o
that God with whom Is forgiveness that h'
may be feared, propose, therefore, II
tins communication. to oit'r some r"n-id
i. erahon> from Christian and bl"lIc;l
point OF view on the duty ana spirit O
forgiveness ana the u"'y "' .lH>nc'' 10
ne SAKE ol SHOWING h"" c''h oi 'n'S
'"''i'> 'l''' IL I'!"'' III ''i' l''>''' e'ii''
9eil'V'
ID we may "r@E' WIFI 'illS in'>l'loh: III
'iilh oi l"i2N t''N9' u III III ''' "i'n -'''
Il ~ '"' -o>t Vi N,'i>'' ''.~ 'o' IL
- lHlr' fll,t crime Hlilll nave h'''l>e ai'
Iihl'"iiiil. 'ot 'oioI'cS' sst' u''' ! "'
an; Ills justice is a CONSUMING me- Ill
legitimate ihi'"en'e Oh 'I' @"'i''' - /" rev
tiA'ioh from No1 ana 4 't''';'l'h "a WA
"ol Is, wiIl' II inspires me 'o"l vi"
7. sentiments OF meeA'''o9 ana i'Fpe''F''"r'
and with readiness 10 forgive all e'ich'',
and to love them, never "'aAtn' ''ic SCI
'nA2nt oi '"S'''S III 'n' s, p1''I''''S ~'''
''or ''"cS """; t''' ''' ~ ''''' ''oo' - a.
e9' 'u''i'' = Ill '''' i'H '"''i ''''''
Nii'' % o"'' "'' 't -