Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-07-09
Amnesty Proclamation.

Whereas in themonth Of July. Ammo Domi-
NJ 1861. in accepting the condition Of civil war
which was brought about by Instruction and
rebellion in several Of the States which consti-
fute the United States. the two houses Of Con-
gress did solemnly declare that war was not
waged on the part Of the government IN any
spirit Of oppression nor for any purpose Of con-
quest or subiuCation, nor for any purpose Of
overthrowing OF interfering with the rights or
established institutions Of the States, but only
% defend and maintain the supremacy Of the
constitution Of the United States. and 20 pre-
serve the Union with al the dignity, equality
and rights Of the several States unimpairci,
and that so soon as those objects should be ac-
complished the war on the par, Of the govern
ment should cease; and
Whereas the President Of the United States
has heretofore. In the spirit of that declaration
and with the view Of securing for IL ultimate
and complete effect. set forth several procia-
nations offering amnesty and pardon % per-
s0us who had been or were concerned IN the
af1renamed rebellion. which proc'amatjonS.
however, were attended with prudential reSer-
vations and exceptions then deemed necessary
and proper, and which proclamatons were re-
spectively issued on the sth dlv ~ December.
1868: on the 26th day Of March. 1864 on the
goth day Of May. 1865; and on the It'll Sep
tember 1867 and
Wboroas the said lamentable civil wSI hoe
long since altogether ceased, with an acknowl-
edgment by the States Of the supremacy Of che
federal constitution and Of the government
Hereunder and there no longer exists any rea-
sonable ground % appreheud a renewal Of the
said civil war. or any foreign interference. or
any unlawful resistance, by any portion of the
people Of any of the States. % the constitution
and laws Of the United States and
Whereas It Is desirable 90 reduce Che stand
ing army and 70 bring % a speedy termination
military occupation, martial law, military tri-
bunals. abridgment Of the freedom Of speech
and Of the press and suspension Of the privi-
lege Of the ha5c1s corpus and Of the right Of
trial By Jury, such entertainments upon our free
Institutions In time Of peace being dangerous
70 public liberty. incompatible with the indj-
v.daal rights Of the citizen, contrary TO the
genius and spirit Of our republican form Of 60
verumeut, and exhaustive Of the national re-
sources and
Whereas it is believed that amnesty and par
don viii tend % secure acomplete aud uuiver-
sal establishment and prevalence of municipal
law and order. IN conformity with the C0usti-
tuition Of the United States, and % remove all
appearances or assumptions Of a retahatory or
vindictive policy ou the part Of the govern
ment, attended unnecessary disquaGfcatious,
pains, penalties. confscatious and diSfranChiSc-
ments; and on the contrary. % promote and
procurecomplete fraterual reconciliation among
The whole people. with due submission 70 the
constitution and laws
Now, therefore, be it known. that r. Andrew
johnson President 0f the United States. DO.
by virtue Of the constitution and iu the name
of the people Of the United States. hereby pro-
claim and declare Internationally and without
reservation % all and every person who direct
" or indirectly participated IN the late jusur-
yection or rebellion. excepting such person OF
persons as may be under prcSeutmeut 0r jn-
dictment In any court Of the United States
having competent jurisdiction upon a charg.
Of treason or other felony. full pardon and
amnesty for the offaDse Of treason against the
United States. or Of ajheriuE to their euemie,
during the late civil war. with restoration of
an rights Of property except also rs % any
property Of which any person may have been
legally Invested by the laws Of the United
States.
In testimony whereof have signed these
presents with ny hand. and have caused the
seal Of the United States Co be hereuntO affixed.
Done at the city &C Washington. The 9TH day
Of July, I'm The year 0f our Lord one thousand
eight hundred aud sxty-eicht. and Of the in
dependence Of the United States of America
The 98i ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President
WV IT, SEWARD. Secretary of State.