The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-07-08
The Amnesty Proclamation and its Effects.

had it failed to make its appearance on the ahhVef-
sary Of our independence. 1t will 60 far towards
reconstruction of raernal feeling towards renewing
the attachment to the Union towards creating ma
tiona sentiment in the South that will add strength
to our republican institutions As proof OF the spirit
and heart of the Executive it contrasts noby with the
miseraby proscriptive policy of the Legislative De-
partment As act of generous clemency, 1t cannot
fail to evoke the warmest gratitude of our people, who
will call down blessings upon the head OF our perse
cuted but noble-hearted President.
What are its effects? All the rights OF the citizen
are embraced under the three following classes lst
civil or political rights. We sometimes use the phrase
religious rights but these do not constitute distinct
class as they are under the American Constitution
included under those rights which guarantee freedom
of speech and of opinion. The provisions which
secure political rights, such as freedom of speech and
of the press, secure religious freedom.
The recent Amnesty Proclamation affects the first
of the above enumerated class of rights, as follows
All Dersons are forever freed from prosecution for any
and all participation in the recent war; except such as
are already under presentment indictment. We
KNOW OF out lew cases VI ILLS hiHd. 4He 'hoSe
portant and prominent being that of the late Presden
of the Confederacy.
1t affects the second class of rights those Of prop
erty so as to prevent any further eofscations ant
restores all property, except slaves, whereof any per
son has not been illegally Invested under the laws
the United States.' We entertain doubt that prop
erty simply held IN possession by the Government would
be restored under this clause of the proclamation
provided the title right of possession had not beer
adiudicated upon by competent court; or, been de
cded upon by competent tribunal, to fall into the
possession of the Government by of its having
been Confederate property 1t lisa lso fair to presume
that where such adjudication has been had decision
made if unjust and unlawful, remedy can be found
and the property recovered.
The proclamation can have, in our judgment, nc
direct and immediate effect upon the civil or political
rights of citizens reference being had to the right
of suffrage and the right to hold Office We speak OF
these rights in the States themselves The right Of
suffrage and the qualifications for Office guated
by the State constitutions and laws. We say it
have 10 effect, because the President has power
enforce its legitimate moral results The moral results
are to render all test oaths and provisions intending
to affect qualifications for Office the right of voting
by reason of participation in rebellion cruel opprea-
sve, and matter of enforced political proscrp-
ton. The proclamation in its spirit restores, to
political rights but it does not have that effect. The
right of suffrage is still determined by the nsruc-
ton laws and the registration Hereunder and by the
provisions of the recently adopted constitution when
the State shall be admitted by Congress under the
Tr,5, Al b,
lation upon the subect-a legislation securing
all the white people of the State the right to in
the coming Presidential election. But what rejecting
man reasonably anticipates such measures of justice,
Of honor, and Of good faith from the present Con-
gress, that miserable body of carpet-baggers, of
whom, though know they seeking only our
ruin, it is some qualification to believe and to hope we
will speedily overthrow and put to utter route and
confusion.
Swift Work.
IF the measure of fairness with which the new State
Government will be administered is to be estimated by
the first official act of the Governor elect, the prospect
is gloomy one. The Governors convocation of the
Legislature is transparent party trick
He summons them to meet in the city on Monday.
The proclamation bears date Friday and is published
Saturday morning. Two days, therefore, given
for the notice to reach the remotest parishes Of the
State where there is telegraph and letters would
be week in finding their destination. Members elect
nevertheless required to be in their seats Mon
day. by proclamation that will reach them until
the Monday AFTER which, with all the necessary delays
of travel, shows that it not meant that there
should be full meeting. Obviously the intention is
to have only such gathering as the managing men
who in the secret of the purpose had got togeth
er, and were boarding around at the expense of
ddates and expectants, to be ready to act
the word is given out.
The Picayune anmadyerts in the above article in
spirit of proper rebuke, upon the manner in which
the Legislature was convoked. 1t is too clear for
either argument or contradiction that its meeting was
as suggested, and for the purpose of
achieving some bold stroke of party policy. But
what honest in the State was prepared for the
sequel? Who expected, or could expect, after the
suggestion of Gen. Grant, that the iron-clad oath
would be rendered the Democrats elect for the pur-
pose of driving them from their Seats while the Rad
cal majority would hurry through the form of adopt
ing the fourteenth amendment? Who expected or
could foresee the audacous and successful attempt to
unseat political opponents duly elected, to fill their
chairs with defeated candidates Well may we add,
in the language of the Picayune IF the measure of
fairness with which the State G overnment will be
administered is to be estimated by their legislative
acts, /" the prospect is gloomy one" We believe
they precisely consonant with the essential char
acter of the dominant majority. Like the Congress
sional majority it will hesitate steps to secure
the grand object of its exisence-power for the sake
of prescription and plumber. Upon the assumption,
then, that the Radical majority in State Legisa
ture will be true the essential character of radical
sm and that it will also follow the example of the
Radical majority in Congress; that it will declare mi
nority candidates elected; that it will impose oahs
unknown to the constitutions that it will muzzle the
Supreme Court, otherwise control it, call together
leliberative bodies out of season and without due
notice; that these for the future specimens of
its spirit and power in egslating "outsde of the con-
titution:" say, in view of these probable things,
indeed we have gloomy prospect"-if submission
despots of this sort is as probable the attempt
o impose it.
The OLD DOMINION FOREVER THE generous hos
,taty of the Old Dominion has been proverbia, since
he days that passengers in the stage furnished
It each stand, with glass of mint uep each, at the
Expense of the proprietor. 1t travels South
nd West with the emgrant and readily takes root
n any new soil, as the fragrant mint ITSELF These
objections occurred to us, day last week. as we
laou tho IF tba