The New York herald., 1866-04-20

trality during the rebellion. We do not wait
for any overt act to be committed, but antici-
pate any such event, and place ourselves in .
position to defend it. England never did a.
much at any period in the progress of our war.
The prompt action of our government to en-
force the neutrality laws will challenge the q
miration Of every Power in Europe. 4
SON and the Senatorial Leaders OF the
Rebellion.
Clement c. Clay, formerly United States
Senator from Alabama, and lately prisoner Of
State at Fortress Monroe, has been released ON
parole. He was captured nearly year ago,
or rather he delivered himself up in Georgia
as q prisoner, to meet the charge Of being one
of the rebel conspirators in Canada concerned
in the murder Of President Lincoln. He has
been released because President Johnson, no
doubt has become satisfied that he is not
guilty in the premises, It appears, too, that
some of the leading radicals Of Congress hold
ing this opinion, such as Thaddeus Stevens and
Senator Wilson, joined General Grant in recon-
mending the prisoners enlargement; and when
Thaddeus Stevens thus interposes for mag
nanimity towards ringleader of the rebellion,
surely the small fry of the radical school ought
to be satisfied that the day of vengeance has
passed away.
This unfortunate and fortunate man, Clay:
was one Of that audacious league Of SoutheI
democratic rebel members Of the United States
Senate which Andrew johnson, of Tennessee,
teal skorx md o1o oNs In hot hoI
man, in 1860-'61, had the moral courage to face
and denounce as plotters Of treason and rebel
lion. This rebel Senatorial league embraced
ssch distinguished champions Of the rebellion
as John G. Breckenridge, Vice President Of the
United States and President of the Senate;
JEFF. Davis and Brown, of Mississippi; the
famous DR.. Gwin, of California Qast reported
as Duke of Sonora under Napoleon and Maxi
milian); Mallory, Of Florida, since Secretary
Of the rebel navy; Iverson and Toombs, q
Georgia, ferocious fre-eaters; the notoT.odS
firm of Mason and Slidell; the equally noto-
rious judah P. Benjamin, of Louisiana; and
wigfall, Of Texas; Clay, of Alabama; Hammond,
of South Carolina; Hunter, of Virginia, and
half dozen others. .
This was the Southern democratic rebel
league in the Senate which, single-handed, a.
Southern democratic Senator, Andrew Johnson
had to fight in the session of ls60-'6l. The whole
Of these conspirators regarded him then with
supreme detestation and contempt Clement
G. Clay, like the rest would not have touched
him with ten foot pole; for Clay was Of that
order IT Southern chivalry who believed that
Calhoun wSs greater man than Julius Cesag,
that cotton WIS king, that African slavery was
Divine institution, that the Yankees would
not fight, that Southern confederacy-grand
and glorious, niggers, cotton, chivalry and all
was as sure as fate, Snd that Andy johnson,
"the poor white Southern renegade" would
be cut OF, as Southern outlaw,
with price spon his head.
Now where are those higk and mighty
Southern rebel confadorates Of IS60-'Sl. anA
where is Andrew Johnson, that solitary South
syn Senator, "faithAbl found among she AithIeas
fAsthful only her, At the head 0s the gov
er1nsent which thsy sought 10 destroy he -
between tksm and the Northern ID.
tractables, clamorow' for their blood. He b
good for ev1b mescy for cruel.y;;sna
men whs would have Iejpiced to slay him have
learned to look upon Elm as their deliversr.
In ALI 6aman history there is no parallels
FOR this splendid exSnple of forgiveness
and concilAxion~ In all history
there is uSprecedent for Ae' gssd results 60
by the conciliiacry Southern policy
Of Presidents Johnson, in wIRing over millions'
Of men frsn the position of relentless enemies
to the dutiss. Of submission saa peace. In this
view of the nbject the relssse crClement O.
Clay, thoushhut a drop in he bucket, Is stal
an incident which will be pr ,dcctive Of good
results; aE5s the association OF Thaddsss
stevens and Senator Wilson With shis act Of
letus hope, is a sisuthaS they, too
are beginnirg,to look in the right direction for
The speedy, sound and permf mont restoration
Of the Union