The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-05-23
Wha. IS the case presented.

What IS the case presented: Section
three reads a. follows:
Until the 4th day Of July. 1870 aN per
sons who voluntarily adhered 10 The late
insurrecti0n. giving It aid and comfort
shall be excluded from the right 10 vote Tor
members Of Congress and for e-ectors
Tor President and Vice President ~ tie
United States"
AL persons who voluntarily adhered
etc. Let us see what persons are included
ID tl.s expression. Il would seem tha, the
word "au" is sufficiently comprehensive
and can admit OF no exceptions; but let Us
see il It's use here is not delusive under the
circumstances now surrounding the Ques-
lion. By authority OF law. toll pardon and
amnesty have been granted:
!. To all rebels below a certain rank who
should take a certain oath, etc.
= To ali below the rank OF cOl0ne. Who
were worth less than $50. 900 al The COM
mencement OF the rebellion. This included.
0f course. the great mass Of the southern
people
3. Nearly all the classes above except
ell nave since received special parGOus. aud
what remain are being pardOned now gay
uy day, and before the proposed amend
ment can become part and parcel OF the
Constitution, there Will probably not DE ieii
"a single unpardoned rebel in the whole
land, from the highest 10 the lowest.
In the light OF the events OF the past i've
years. and of the fendish barbarsm Vrac-
Iced by these rebels during hostiilies. aud
OF the dev.lish hate still ranking Ia the
nOsOms OF the great mass OF them toward
the Union and toward loyal men, these are
% fs.. 30
ana we must face them and not stuluiy
ourselves in the eyes Of the world by isaO-
ring them.
Amnesty and pardon, although uot
strictly synonymous terms. have been used
as such I'D this connection Amnesty has
the effect 10 .'eiiace the crime and cause ito
be forgotten. This Is the language % The
authorities and this is the effect that has
always been gwen TO II by all civilized ma
uOus. Il not only eXempts the party from
punishment, but RENTS him 10 al his for
mer rights, natural civil and political with
simply TWO exceptions: first, where rights
Of third persons iuteryened; and second.
where the disability has been created hN
stafnfa and avisfad a. tho time o. pardon
/ cOncede that II the disability now pro-
posed 10 be created had existed hy the
Constitution OF los statute at the time OF
amnesty granted, IL would remain until re-
moved by the same iOrmalitIes. Aut who
ever heard OF a civilized nation aihXiug TO
an Oiiense a punishment or even a disability
after the crime itself had been eiiacol.
wiped out, Obliterated 10y AZ amnesty or "A
pardon
The eminent gentleman from Pennsylva-
MIA the chairman on the committee on the
part Ol the House, VINO reported This amend
meni, taking the same view OF The law OF
the case as DO, tells US IH effect that the
disability is not intended 10 apply TO such
Is have received pardon and amnesty. He
tells Us that il the amendment IS adopted
ami becomes part oi the Constitution, and
Que 0i the amnestied rebels comes To tie
polls and oilers his vote Tor member OF
Congress. etc. ana shows his pardon, then
be mas not adhered, etc, and Is not incu-
ded in the expression, all persons who
have adhered etc This is no doubt cor
rect; but let me tell the gentleman that IN
this view of the case the amendmen, Is
meaningless, Yes, worse than meaningless.
IL = cause OF discard aInOuS The friends OF
the balance Of the amendment, where the
utmost harmony should be cultivated. Ii
adopted, il would not stand in the way OF 4
single rebel ballot. Long before il can be
adopted, evey one OF the few unpardoned
rebels now remaining will have received
TIE extreme unc ION Of parJ0ned 10y his
EXceilcuCy the President Of the United
states. and Will have become voter by the
side OF the most loyal, Notwithstanding tie
prohibition. Ii would be a dead letter.
The provision wOuld also he easily
eyaded by appointing electors Of President
and Vice President through the Legislature,
a. South Carolina has always done.
Let them reject this dead weight, ana
not load down good provisions, absolutely
essential provisions, by this, which, how
ever good IN and Ofitscf cannot he emf reed
] regard this provision, IL adopted. 00ti
worthless and harmless, and therefore
shall vote for the proposed amendment as 4,
whole, whether this be rejected or retained
/ am heartily IN favor Of the whole amend
ment, except this section three, and shOul,
be IN favor Of that if l thought il could DE-
given any effect; and l have said this muci
/ because OF my anxiety that the provision
OF The amendment shOnld nrevail. and no
f ue JeOpaTlZed by the retention OF worth
less provision.
Rebels must be taken care Of here in th'
halls OF Congress: and so long Is the loya
people Of the country remain true TO them
selves and the Government, traitors will D
taken care Of here. The sword Of justic
will continue 10 hang over the portals o
these halls, and no traitor will be allowe'
10 pass their thresholds.