Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-25

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loot Of the Eternal Throne, muss listen 70
the ech2 OF petitions from such source. the
purest fountain Of human affections With a
delight restrained only BY the uiicertzinsy
that still wells the Executive ,lemency.
With great respect your obcdients servant,
DAVID G. BrRSEr.
To His Exccllency Andren.Johnsor. rrcS;deu, Of
the United States: & ts;Aa rs s
WAsHTeroS, Nor. zl 1855.
Ssr-t have the honor 10 preserk . Joint
memorial from ladies Of several localities in
Texas, Ia behalf Of the eminent prisoner,
Jefferson Davis Petitions enough, Of a
similar character, have been presented by
myself and others 70 express to your Excel.
iency the universal and fervent desire Of the
ladies Of the South for the liberation of Mr..
Davis; and whatever influence they have
exerted or are calculated to exert, can hardly
be enhanced by further multiplication OF
names.
The elsmorous denunciaiisns Of those who
are still rsvenning for blood, NAV illustrate
the divine doctrine Of human depiavisy, but
are not adapted to the restoration Of har-
mony between the North and the S;outh or 10
the consnnamation Of the national happiness
or the renewed aggregation OF iss great pow
ers. The Southern States are universally
desirous to be restored to their ancient status
in the Union and this one declared fact Is
evidence to all Ingenious minds of their sin
cerity, and ought to preclude ali suspicion
o. dlsloyalty. That there may b, some res
tive spirits in the Sonfh who rejoice in tnr-
mol and riot in confusion is probable but
il IL certain that the sober-minde<l. thinking
men in all sections. are tired Of war and tu-
mutt, and devoutly anxious for permanent
and happy reunion and the tranquility Incl
dent to IT,
The sentiment Of loyalty cannot be created
or increased by the ministration Of ven
geance. That It may be diminished and
the strictest feelings of alienation .ngendered
by the war revived and transmitted 80 re-
mote posteri:y, is consonant with the prompt
ings of nature and the experience of the
world. The amiable and accomplished au-
thoress of the memorial, speaking of re-
stored Onion, says: at may be that, in the
inscrutable councils of Eternal Wisdom. the
agony and blood Of the late revolution were
necessary to cement it forever If such
be- indeed, the secret purpose of God, a
manifested spirit Of Cancellation on the part
of the Government is the sursst and msjstr
appropriate means for its fulflllnent. But |
that prolonged agony and that precious
blood may lose their cohesive properties |
under the continual pressure of injuries, in |
dignities and burning hulmiliations. No |
one event could more fully obiitefate the re-
collection of these supposed obstructions 10 |
a cordial reconstruction, and secure the en- |
tire pacifcation and the true and enduring |
fealty of the South, than a magnanimoas |
clemency exercised toward Mr.. Davis, with |
its proper normal consequences. et ss
In view Of the present equivocal relations |
with the Imperial Government Of Mexico, |
and the possible weighty complications that |
may result from them, the early and perma- |
nent restoration assumes an importance |
which addresses itself as well and forcibly |
to the North as to the South, and may be /
wisely appreciated by each to their own mu-
tual benefit; Or, they may be neglected, until
contingent developments shall reveal conse-
quences that are quite imperceptible in the
misty future, but of a magnitude which their
realization alone can measure or define ss
1t has been assumed, from the era of the |
turbulent democracy of Athens, that "re-
publics are ungratefnl.n You, sir have an
to furnish one illustrious in
stance in refutation of the ungraeious charge.
This needs only that You give decisive ex-
ercise to the most genial prerogatiye of your |
office; clemency and ingratitude being IN
terms. a~
What more glorious epoch could occur in
the annals of our country, and of your ad-
ministration of its affairs, than the procla-
nation Of a universal amnesty, without |
stint or condition, to the so-called rebels of |
the subdued and extinct Confederacy Il
would throw into the pages Of our history
is most beautiful dramatic scene, its most
instructive lesson. Heartless politicians
would sneer, as Satan sneers at the highest
virtues, but Christian patriots would admire
and love- fs M -
With great respect, your obd't sery't
DAVID G. BURSET.