Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-09-12
RUTLAND Fl ERAl.nI
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1867.
The Amnesty Pr.ciam Az on.

OI amnesty prOClamnllOu uaS AT last
been given to the public by President
Johnson, having been promulgated by
aim on Sunday afternoon. 1t is sub.
stantially the same as given to the pub.
lie some days since by press correspond
ents from the capital, aud provides for
the wholesale pardon OF persons lately
IN rebellion, but three classes being ex-
c!uded from its benefits, aud these
classes will probably not number fifteen
hundred souls.
In the first amnesty proclamation is.
sued by Mr.. johnson early in 1865, four
teen specified classes were exempted
from becoming franchised citizens, and
40 close were the lines drawn between
Union men and traitors, that fully ZOO
600 persons were by Its provisions de-
barred from citizenship and denied the
use of the elective franchise. And,
though during the period intervening
between the issuance of the proclama-
tlons Union men have been murdered,
free schools and free churches burned
and loyal blacks submitted to every
form OF outrage at the hands Of the
very same men who were defeated on the
battle field by federal soldiers, and in
fact when in nearly every portion OF the
South, s far more bitter feeling prevails
against Union men than did at the time
OF Lees surrender, these fourteen classes
are cut down to three, and the 200 900
rebels disfranckised by that proclama-
tion. reduced as we have said to 900 or
| 500. But at that time the President
declared that treason was crime
which should be made odious, and trait
ors punished; then he sought to guide
and lead Congress in the works OF re.
construction and restoration now, that
Congress will not be led by him, he
seeks to override and subvert the plain.
est provisions OF law, and takes the re-
sponsibility upon himself OF issuing a
proclamation which, though the dis
frauchised may accept OF its provisions,
it can avail them nothing, as the seventh
section OF the supplementary reconstruc.
ton act, passed July l4th, 1867, pre-
scribes that
No person shall, at any time, be en-
titled to be registered or to vote, By rea'
son of anu Exeeastte pardon o. amnesty, for
any act or thing which, ,0ifhotst such par
don or amnesty, would disqualify him
for registration or voting"
The following 10 the proclamation
BIZ The Prsstdent of TIT United States Of
America,
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, Ia the month OF july, Ah'o
Domtnt, 1861, the two houses of Con-
gress. with extraordinary unsnimity,
solemnly declared that the war then
existing was not waged on the part OF
the government In any spirit of oppres-
sion, nor for any purpose Of conquest or
subjugation, nor purpose Of overthrow
ing 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
WHsysds, The President Of the United
States, on the 9Th day OF December, Anse
Domint, 1868, and on the 26th day of
March, dnno Domint, 1864, did, with the
objects of suppressing the then existing
rebellion, and of inducing all persons to
return to their locality, and of restoring
the authority OF the United States, issue
proclamations Offering amnesty and
pardon to all persons who had directly
or indirectly participated in the then
existing rebellion, except such as in
those proclamations were specified and
reserved; and
Whereas The President of the United
States did, on the Goth day OF May, Anno
Domini, 1865, issue further proclama-
tion with the same objects before men,
toned, and to the end that the authority
of the government of the United States
might be restored, and that peace, order,
and freedom did, by the said last men.
toned proclamation, proclaim aud
declare that he thereby granted to all
persons who had directly or indirectly
participated in the then existing rebel
lion, except as those in excepted am.
nesty and pardon, with restoration of all
the rights Of property, except as to slaves
and except in certain cases where legsl
proceedings had been instituted but
upon condition that such persons should
take and subscribe an oath therein pre-
scribed, which oath should be registered
for permanent preservation; and
W1reas, In and by thei said last men
toned proclamation of the Goth day o
May, Anno Domopi, 1865, fourteen exteu
sive classes OF persons therein specially
described, were altogether excepted ant
excluded from the benefits thereof anC
Whereas, The President Of the United
States did, on the second day of April
Anno Domini, 1866, issue 8 proclamation
declaring that the insurrection was 8
an end, and was thenceforth to be 81
regarded; and
Whereas, There now exists no organ
lied armed resistance Of misguided citi
zens or others to the authority OF tn
Uoitad States in the States of GeOrgl 8