Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-02
TmE NORTH CAROLINA ACT OF
AMNESTY

AMNESTY.
The General Assembly of-NGfth Caro-
lima, is evidently of opinion that the
spirit Of a true pcarc and civilization is
opposed either to penalties for past politi-
cal differences, or TO responsibility for
acts committed during the state Of war
Il has therefore passed an act granting
general amnesty an pardon to all officers
and soldiers Of the State Of North Caro-
lima. or. of the late Confederate states
armies or Of the United states Tor
oiIenses. committed against the criminal
laws Of the State Of North Carolina The
object is that no one within the limits Of
that State shall be called into question
for any act performed while bcllieerent
and rs such during the late civil srus
gle Il is declaration on the part of
North Carolina, that whatever was done
in good faith as a belligereut. by either
side, in the late war, shall not be con-
verted into crime As the act embraces
matters Of general interest we append
it, and commend its spirit to our own
Legislators:
Sec l. Be il enacted by tie General
Assembly Of the State Of North Carolina,
and il is hereby enacted by the authority
Of the same, That no person who may have
been in the civil or military service Of the
State, as officers or soldiers Of the militia,
officers or soldiers Of the home guard,
oficers and soldiers Of the local police.
officers and soldiers Of the late Coafeder-
ate States, or as officers and soldiers Of the
United Siatez, shall be held TO answer on
any indictment, for any act done in the
discharge Of any duty imposed on him
purporling to be By 4 law Of the State or
late Confederate States government, or by
virtue Of any order emanating from any
officer commissioned or nOu-cCmmissiOned.
Of the militia or home guard, or local
Police of North Carolina, or any officer,
commissioned or nOn-CUmmissiOned. Of the
late Confederate States government or any
officer, commissioned or non commissioned,
OF the United States government. That
no one Of the above named officers or pri-
yates who now are or may hereafter be
indicted for any homicides, felonies or mis-.
demeanors committed prior to the first
day Of January, A. d. 1866, shall be held
to answer for the same, bat shall be enti-
tied to a full and complete amnesty, par
don and charge from the same, upon the
payment Of the costs
Provided, They shall not be taxed with
the payment Of the costs upon any indict-
ment preferred against them from and after
the passage Of this bill, or in other words,
that no officer or privates in any of the
aboye-named organizations, against whom
no indictment is now pending, shall be liza
bic 10 prosecution fer any ufense commit
ted against the criminal laws Of North
Carolina prior 10 the lst day of January,
4. ID. 1866, as aforesaid.
Sec. ?. BE il further enacted, That in all
cases, where indictments are now pending,
either in the County or Superior Courts, if
the defendant can show that he was an
officer or private in either Of the above
named organizations, at the time il shall
be presumed that he acted under orders,
until the contrary shall be made to appear.
Sec g. BE il further enacted, That all
private citizens, who, on account of age, or
from any other cause, were exempt from
service in any or all Of the above named
organizations, who for the preservation of
their lives or property, or for the protec-
ton of their families, associated them
selves together for the preservation Of law
and order, In their respective counties or
districts, shall be entitled 10 all the benefits
and provisions Of this act.
Sec. 4. BE il further enacted, That no
person who may have been in the civil or
military service Of the State, or late Con-
iederate States government or in the ser
vice Of the United States government, in
either Of the above organizations, shall be
held liable in any civil action for any act
done in the discharge Of any duties i'm
posed upon him by any law or authority,
purporting TO be a law of the State or late
Confederate States government