Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-09-19

by Congress, and TO invest the reb.l
element with the means OF breakipg
down the restraints which have been
prudently imposed on the preliminary
workings OF reconstruction. 1t is an
insolent use OF power which Congress-
In December last, explicitly took away
Mr., Lincoln sought and obtained legis'
latlon TO authorize his proclamation OF
Limited pardon and amnesty; Mr. John.
son dares TO proclaim almost universal
pardon and amnesty, although the
measure under which MIR, Lincoln acted
has been specifically repealed. Congress
has solemnly said that no such procla.
nation shall be issued Mr.. johnson
filings the opinions OF Buckley and
Black In the face OF Congress and the
country, and claims for his will the
authority OF the supreme law. What
more fragrant form could executive
usurpation take short OF a dictatorship
Against a measure of qualified an.
nesty, considered on its merits, we have
nothing TO say, AT the proper time, and
under the proper sanction, we should
| advocate IL as measure OF recoucuia-
! ton and harmony. But the present is
not the proper time, nor is the obstinate
caprice OF Mr.. Johnson, backed though
he be by Mr.. jeremiah Black, the sane.
tion which it is desirable To nave. The
country has decided That MIR. johnson
| shall have nothing TO do with recon-
struction, except as the administrator Of
! law, On that question be has an.
! pealed 10 ihe people and they pro.
nounCed verdict against Nun. They
declared that their representatives in
| Congress shall alone control the whole
suhject-that they shall fix the condi.
tiOnS, Impose what penalties they think
necessary, and provide for the execution
OF their plans as TO them NAV seem most
wise With what decency can Mr.. John.
son take advantage OF the absence O,
Congress and endeavor To undo the
work with what hope Of benefit for
uls rebel friends or what expectation OF
impunity for himself does he obtrude
authority which, at best, is of doubtful
coustitutionality to Counteract impor.
tant requirements of the law
The effect Of the proclamation upon
the registration lists and the results O.
the preliminary elections will not be
serious unless its author follow with
other invasions Of the law. These may
be looked for. perhaps If the journals
which are usually the opponents OF his
purposes may in this instance be relied
upon. The law itself is too plain to be
misunderstood. But this palpable VIC,
lation Of its terms prepares US for as
many other violations as may be re.
quisite to carry out the ideas of Mr.,
Black, If the interval between the reas.
sembling OF Congress admit OF their exc.
ecution. Meanwhile, Mr.. Johnson sue.
Ceeds in complicating the subject OF re.
construction, multiplying the difficulties
which attend its operation, and iutensi-
fyng the bitterness which his cOnduc
has produced.
The true place for amnesty is after re.
construction. 1t would then be avail,
able as a recognition OF compliance with
the law on the part of the Southern
people. 1t would then entail no risk,
and encounter but slight hostility. As
proclaimed by Mr.. johnson, it is pre-
MUM on dislOyalty and an incentive to
opposition. Instead Of pacifying the
country, ii will add to its disturbing 10.
fluenCes instead Of fastening Southern
peace, and promoting the reconciliation 0.
the sections, it will encourage rebels to
rene wed disorder, and will most likely
delay the completion OF the task which
Congress has undertaken. The people
viii be satisfied with nothing less than
sure and thorough work, and they vii.
have 1t, though Mr.. Johnson send forth
a proclamation daily until the meeting
OF Congress. Thereafter his sign man.
uai will attract much less attention.
The Evening Post, which has been
lenient towards the Executive, which
has even apologized for him, when
Others have felt it their duty to censaTe
him, is taken back by the "last card
1t says in its issue of the 9th instant
Even Mr.. Johnson admits that Con.
gres can admit or reject members as it
chooses. Now Congress has made Ger.
tain rules to govern the preliminary
elections in the States lately In rebel
lion If these regulations are observed
1t promises to admit members Of Con.
gress from these States. But here comes
the President, and if the Intelligence
correctly represents him-tells the people
they need not mind the regulations o..
Congress. What follows If they SUI.
fer themselves to be misled by the Presi'
dent, is it not plain that they will be re.
jeCted by Congress Congress has IN
its reconstruction act clearly laid down
the conditions, upon the fulfllment O..
which in the Southern States it will re-
ceive Senators and Representatives from
those States. Is it not plain that Con
gress will reject persons sent to it under
other conditions Mr. Johnson, whose
course hitherto, in regard to the recon,
! struCtion act, has been one rather Of.
gtumblng and unwilling consent in the
proclamation issued this morning puts
himself, as We have said, in direct oppoo'
, stion to it. He has before this, with
more less skill, left the laws to enforce
, themselves without his aid now heop'
/, poses himself 10 their execution"
Mer Quito said of his wound,
ut was not as deep as q well, or as wide
| | AS gate, but il would do
PA NATION Bitters will not raise the dead,