The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-09-07
The cons,ing Annssty.

| e. T!s,s ~ 'Ae 'Non1aE8 amnesty. - .Fsts
It has been great question in the
South, what practical benefit was to
be expected from the promised am
nesty proclamation. Even those per-
SONS already specially pardoned are
not allowed to register; and it was,
naturally, argued that general pro-
olamation of amnesty. in the face Of
the provisions of the second sup
Elementary Act, would not have
greater effect than an individual
amnesty granted before Congress had
declared that an Executive pardon
should not entitle any person, other
wise disqualified, to register or vote.
The Philadelphia Press, violent
and unscrupulous opponent of the
President. believes, however, that
Mr.. Johnson will make his amnesty
effective, and that this will be done
by Presidential order, through Gen.
Grant, based upon an opinion of the
Attorney-General. The Press says:
cat any rate, Mr.. johnson will
assume to interfere with the registra
ton of voters, by ordering the re-
opening of the registration lists, as
we'll as the postponement of all cleo
tions that have been ordered; and in
this connection, the -talked-of
amnesty proclamation, which is now
promised to the public in few days,
IS OF great significance. It has been
argued that the postponement of the
elections ordered by Sheridan, and
the re-opening of the registration,
would not amount to anything, save
confirming the opinion of ali loyal
men that johnson was opposed to
congressional and districtional recon
struction; but the preparation of this
amnesty proclamation probably dis.
closes the plot in all its hideous cri-
minality. In short, it is surmised to
be the intention of the Administra-
ton not only to reopen registration
where it has been closed, but by
granting pardon to thousands of
voters who are now disfranchised, to
override the Union majorities pro-
missed by the present situation in the
Sonth, and insure rebel victories at
the coming election, or, what is the
same thing, the election of support
ers of the Administration to all of the
offices in the Southern States.
"The mere promulgation of an
amnesty proclamation will not effect,
this object, without another opinion
from Attorney General Stanbery, is
sued to the Southern commanders as
military order by the Commander
in-Chief. It will be remembered, in
this connection, that the first opinion
from Stanbery regarding reconstruc-
ton was intended to be issued in that
form, but the intention was frus-
trated by Secretary's Stanton's oppo-
sition to it in the Cabinet. No one
can doubt for moment that Messrs.
Stanbery and Black can manufacture
arguments for an opinion, which,
issued by the military authority of
the President, will evade the points
Iii the reconstruction laws which now
apparently present insurmountable
obstacles to the success of this
scheme. Altogether, the situation is
more muddled than ever, and while
it is not safe at this juncture to make
any certain prediction as to the new
developments of the Johnsonian
policy, the public may feel assured
that Mr.. Johnson will not retrace
any of the steps he has taken in the
premises, but, on the contrary, may
expect new and more startling evi-
dences of his madness, as he has,
within the past few days, earnestly
promised his copperhead advisers to
carry out the programme which he
has begun to the bitter end, even if
impeachment is sure to follow"