Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-09-13
PRESIDENTS PROCLAMATION.
Extension Of Amnesty. j
BIZ the President Of the United States o1
A PROCLAMATION.


clared that the war then existing was not
waged on the part Of the government in any
spirit Of oppression, nor for any purpose OF
conquest Or subjugation, nor for the purpose
of overthrowing or interfering with the rights
or established institutions of the States, but
to defend and maintain the supremacy Of the
constitution and to preserve the Union with
all the dignity, equality and rights Of the
several States unimpaired, and that as soon
as these objects should be accomplished the
war ought to cease and
Whereas the President Of the United States
on the 9Th of December, ammo Domini 1868
and on the Goth day of March, ammo Doni-
nj 1864, did, with the object Of suppressing
the then existing rebellion, Of inducing all
persons to return to their loyalty, and Of
restoring the authority Of the United States,
issue proclamations Offering amnesty and
pardon to all persons who had, directly OF
Indirectly, participated in the then existing
rebellion, except as in those proclamations
was specified and reserved; and
| Whereas the President of the United States
did. on the 29th day Of May, A. d. 1865,
issue further proclamation, with the same
object before mentioned, and to the end that
the authority Of the government Of the Uni
ted States might be restored, and that peace
order and freedom might be established; and
the President did, by the said last mentioned
proclamation, proclaim and declare that he
thereby granted to all persons who had di-
r6rtly or indirectly participated in the then
existing rebellion, except as therein, excep-
ted, amnesty and pardon. with restoration Of
all rights of property, except as to slaves,
and except in certain cases where legal pro-
ceedings had been instituted, but upon con-
dition that such persons should take and sub
scribe an oath therein prescribed, which oath
should be registered for permanent preser-
walton; and
Whereas in and by the said aforementioned
proclamation Of the 10Th day Of nIay A. d.
1865, fourteen extensive classes Of persons,
therein specially described. were altogether
excepted and excluded from the benefits
thereof; and
Whereas the President Of the United
States did, on the I'd Of April A. D. 1866,
issue proclamation declaring that the in
surrection was at an end, and was thence.
forth to be regarded; and
Whereas there now exists no organized
, armed resistance Of misguided citizens Oh
others to the authority Of the United States ii
the States of Georgia, South Carolina, Viz
GINA North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama
Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Floridi
and Texas, and tie laws can be sustained
and enforced therein by the proper civil au
thority, State and federal, and the people 0
said States are we'll and Loyalty disposed ant
have conformed, or, if permitted to do so
will conform, in their legislation 10 tie con
dition Of Affairs growing out Of the amend
ment to the constitution Of the United State
prohibiting slavery within the limits and til
Jurisdiction Of the United States; and
Whereas there no longer exists any rea
sonable ground to apprehend within tn
: States which were involved in the late rebel
lion any renewal thereof, or any ulllaweu
resistance BY the people Of said States to III
Constitution and laws Of the United Statos
t and
Whereas large standing armies, nlilitar
occupation, martial law, military tribunals
: aud the suspension Of the privilege Of tn
writ Of habeas corpus, and the right Of tris
by Jury, are in time Of peace dangerous
g public liberty, Incompatible with the ind
! yidual rights of the citizen, contrary to til
genius and spirit -four free institutions, an
! exhaustive of the national resources, an
ought not, therefore, to be sanctioned, {
! allowed. except in cases Of actual necessity
Q for repclling invasion, or suppressing insul
rection or rebellion; and
: Whereas retaliatory or vindictiye polio
! attended by unnecessary disqualification
i pains, penalties, conflscations and disfral
chisements, now as always, can only tend I
hinder reconciliation among the people, an
: I national restoration, while it must seriousl
$ embarrass, obstruct and repress popular e1
u orgies and national industry and enterprise
and
'f] Whereas for these reason it is now deeme
u essential to the public welfare and to til
s more perfect restoration Of constitutional la
and order, that the said last mentioned pro,
), day Of May, Ammo Donlini 1865, should (
modified, and that the full and benefcel
y pardon conceded thereby should be opene
IS and further extended to q large number {
! the persons who by its aforesaid exception
have been hitherto excluded from Exccutiy
clemency:
I Now, therefore be it known, that I Al
d DREW JoHNsoN, President Of the Unite
: States, DO, hereby proclaim and>dcclare tn;
: the full pardon described in the said procl;
y nation Of the 18th day Of May Ammo Dom
IS nj 1865, shall henceforth be opened and eS
! tended to all persons who directly Or ind
h rectly participated in the late rebellion, Wit
!. the restoration Of all privileges, immunitie
and rights Of property, except as to proper
: ty with regard to slaves and except in case
y Of legal proceedings under the laws Of tn
: United States; but upon this condition, nev
ertheless, that every such person who shall
seek to avail himself Of this proclamation
+ shall take and subscribe the following oath
: and shall cause the same to be registered TO
i permanent preservation in the same name
/, aud with the same effect as with the oatl
prescribed in the said proclamation of tn
29th day of May, 1865, namely:
II do solemnly swear, Cor affirm in tn
presence Of Almighty God, that will hence
r. II ell opI Infop!