The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-14
A General Amnesty.
From the Daily Meas.

hTOm the DdttY AeUS.
The reorganization of the State Government
of Texas puts an end to the last Provisional
Government within the limits of the Southern
States. The Presidents plan has to that extent
been completely carried out. There remains
for him yet to do one act, an act of grace and
magnanimity as well as of sound policy, the
proclamation of general amnesty. The South
has done all that he asked it to DO. 1t has
organized its governments and amended Its
constitutions and laws to suit his pleasure. Its
people have elected to their most important
offices men in whom they had no confidence (as
tor instance, Governor Wells, OF Loulsiana),
under the impulse OF no otner motive than de-
sire 10 concilIate his goodwill, and strengthen
him in his contest with the radicals. They have
given what he has declared TO be the most CON-
plete evidence eft their determination to
remain loyal TO the Union, by ratitying ''the
amendment to the Constitution which provides
Tor the abolition Of slavery forever within the
limits of our country" He has himself said
that the adoption OF this amendment would
'etlace the sad memories of the past" and pre-
pare the way tor a Proclamation OF General
Amnesty. They have done all this, and they
have done it with grace which eXcites the
admiration of all civilized nations. And even
now they are testifying anew their present and
future loyalty by sending their wisest and best
men to meet in National Convention with the
wisest and best men OF the North, to consult
together as TO the means which should be used
to support the President in his efforts to save
the Constitution and the Union from the assaults
OF the radicals.
Let HIM now remember the promise which he
made in his annual message TO Congress, his
prO4nlse that general amnesty should follow
their adoption OF the Constitutional amend
mant abolishng slavery.
We republsh that portion of his message
wherein he made that promise:-
'rThe next step which have taken to restore the
Constitutional relations OF the States has been an
invitation to them to participate IN the high office
of amending the Constitution. Every patriot must
wish Tor a general amnesty at the earl est epoch
consistent with pubic safety. For this great end
there Is need OF concurrence OF opinions and the
spirit of mutual conciliation. All parties In the
late terIib @ conflict must work together in har-
mony. 1t is not too much to ask, IN the name of
| the WhOie people, that on one SIDE the p an of
restoration shall proceed in conformity with will
hngness TO cast The disorders OF the past into OBJ
Won; and that, the other, the evidence of sim
| cerity IN the future ma nteDance OF tho Union
shall be put beyond any doubt by the rahdcat on
| of the proposed amendment to the Const u
| ton which provides for the abo ition of slavery
| forever within the hmis of our country. So
long as the adoptl0n ol this amendment zen Is Is
unccI Itany prevail This is the measure which will
eiIace sad emory of tho past; this is the mea-
sure which will most certainly call population and
capital and security to those parts OF the Union tnat
| need them most lnoeed 1t Is not TOO much 10 ask
! OF the States which now resuming Their places
the family of the Union, 10 give tins pledge OF per-
petua loyalty and peace Unul il Is done, the past,
however much may desire 1t, Wil not 90 forgot
| ten.& The Adoption OF the amendment reunltes US
bey ond all power Of dsruphon, IL heals the wound
that is still imperectY closed; it removes slavery
the element which has so long per picked and oiy ded
the coNntry 1t makes OF Us once more united peo'
! pie, renewed and strene lhened' bound more than
! ever TO mutual affection and support"
The Southern people have given this "perpetual
| nledge of LOYALTY and peace.n Let the President
! do his duty and keep his promise.
spEKF MEMoRIAL.--A national memorial to
| itba late Cantain Speke is to be erected in Ken