The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-01-15

called. there is more hesitation about granting
such pardons:
washington. Jan. Sin view of the recent
Legislative action repeating the 18th section. the
Attorney General will not, for the present enter
tain applications for pardon of persons engaged
in the rebellion"
The President has permitted what is called the
radical party to get the advantage of him in this
matter. Why has he not issued general am
nesty proclamation, and declared that by cones
shall be by-gone Why has he not released Mr.
Davis from cruel confinement or had him tried
on whatever charges may be preferred against
him? Why is it that Gov. Vance and other citi-
zens of the South have not been pardoned when
they have made application! The President has
had the power to grant these pardons heretofore
without coming in conflict with Congress; but
now, if he grants pardons, he will be accused of
violating law of Congress and an excuse afford
ed for his impeachment.
We do not believe that many of our leading
Southern men have pursued a prudent or wise
policy since the close of the war; but we have
always favored a general amnesty, and let by
cones be by-gone. Though may differ with
those who control the Southern State Govern
ments about the proper c,urse to pursue, We
have done all We could to promote peace and
harmony.
A late dispatch from Washington gives this
information
THE pardon question shapes itself as follows:
Under section Ii, the President pardoned in all
cases on the recommendation of the Provisional
Governors and other reliable parties, aud the
endorsement of the Attorney General, except in
rare instances where policy suggested delay
The repeal Of that section confines the President
to his constitutional powers, and he will here
after pardon only On his own personal iovestga-
ton Some delay may be expected from the
change of forms and routine"
STAY LAws.-The Courts of Virginia. South
Carolina. Georgia and Mississippi have declared
that Stay Laws are unconstitutional. 1t is
thought tina: the Supreme Court of North Car
olinR will give similar decision when the ques-
ton comes before it.
Creditors and debtors ought to try and make
some mutual arrangement SO as to avoid litiga-
ton and distress. Let debtors at once 60 to
their creditors and make fair exhibit of their
financial condition. and say what they can do.
and think many suits will be prevented and
confidence restored.
The stay laws that passed at the COM
mencement of the against which we earn
estly protested at the time) have been the cause
of ruin to many. Had it not been for the miser-
able stay law passed by our Legislature in the
early part of the war, the majority of our citizens
who were in debt would have paid out with Con-
federate or other money; but the stay law de-
ceved and caused them to postpone payment;
and the results are now apparent in the DISPOSE
ton to force settlements. We give no better
advice than to say to those who in debt, go
to your creditors and make an honest statement,
comply with fair terms, and get indulgence.
" President johnson having vetoed the bill
passed by Congress permitting negroes to vote
in the District of Columbia, that BODY has passed
it over the veto.
The President argues that it is unconstitution-
al to force negro suffrage on the people of the
District. and unfair after the white citizens, by
nearly unanimous vote, decided against it.
DELEGATION FROM NORTH CARoLINA.-A
delegation from North Carolina, appointed by
the Governor in obedience to joint resolution
of the General Assembly, consisting Of Hon.
Bedford Brown, formerly United States Senator;
Gen Leach and John A. Gilmer, formerly mem
bers of congress; Judge Merrimou and z. II.
Winston, have taken rooms at Wizards Hotel.
Mr.. Brown and Gen. Leach are already here,
and the remainder Of the delegation will arrive
to- day.
The primary ohjecr of their mission is to in
ves,igate the irregular and offensive collection
of the United States tax for 1861. They have
however, con6ded to their care the general in
terest Of the State. Liberal provision has been
made for its irregular representatives by North
Carolina, aud the delegation will remain as long
as the interest of the State demands.
Colonel Brown, who is the leader of the dele
CATION, was United States Senator from 1929 to
1910 OF his fellow Senators of 1929 only him
ielf and Judge Spraeuc, now of Massachusetts,
t"gton AteUigencer. -.
The Intelligencer is mistaken in saying that
the Legislature of North Carolina authorized the
appointment of the above named gentlemen as
Commissioners. We judge from the fact that
we find nothing about it in the captions of Acts
and Resolutions passed. We presume that when
the Legislature assemblies appropriation of
money will be asked for to pay their expenses.
If any good could be accomplished, would
not object TO the sending of Commissioners to
Washington, but the only result will be the
..bleeding" of the State Treasury to the amount
of few thousand dollars. AS to investigating
the land tax matter, they can do nothing. The
collection of that tax has already been suspended
by the Government for the present.
And would it not have been better, if found
necessary to send Commissioners. for the Leeis-
lature to have selected them! We respectfully
submit that such old political trick and Office
seekers as Gen. Jsmes M. Leach not the sort
of men to manage State affairs in a crisis like the
present. We are anxious to see peace and good