Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-06
AMNESTY.
WASHINGTON, July 3.
anon.

WASHINGTON, July j.
WHEREAS, in the month of July, 1861,
in accepting the condition of civil war,
which was brought about by an insurrec-
ton and rebellion in several of the States
which constitute the United States, the
two Houses Of Congress did solemnlY
declare that the war was not waged on
the part OF the Government in any spirit
of oppression, nor for any purpose of
conquest or subjsgation, nor for any
purpose of overthrowing or interfering
with the rights or established institutions
of the States, but only to defend and
maintain the supremacy Of the Consti-
tution of the United States, and to pre-
serve the Union with all the dignity,
equality and rights of the several States
unimpaired, and that as soon as those
objects should be accomplished, the war
on the part Of the Government should
cease; and,
WHEREAS, The President of the Uni
ted States has heretofore, in the spirit of
that declaration and with the view of Sc.
curing for 1t the ultimate and complete
effect, as set forth in the several procla-
nations offering amnesty and pardon to
persons who had been, or were concerned
in the aforenamed rebellion, which pro-
CARNATIONS, however, were attended with
prudential reservations and exceptions
then deemed necessary and proper, and
which proclamations were respectively
issued on the 9th day of December, 1863,
on the 26th day of March, 1864, on the
z9th day of May, 1865, and on the 7th
day of September, 1861 and,
WHEREAS, The said lamentable civil
war has long since altogether ceased,
with an acknowledgement by the States
of the supremacy Of the Federal Consti-
tuition and Of the Government there
under, and there no longer exists any
reasonable ground to apprehend a re-
newal of the said civil war or any foreign
interference, or any unlawful resistance
by any portion of the people Of any Of
the States TO the Constitution and laws
of the United States; aud,
I WHEREAS, 1t is desirable to reduce the
standing army, and to bring to a speedy
termination the military occupation,
MARTIAL law military tribunals, the abridg
ment Of freedom Of speech and Of the
press, the suspension Of the privilege Of
hdbeas csrpss aud the rights Of trial by
iury, such entertainments upon our free
| institutions in times Of peace being dan
gerous to public liberty, incompatible
with the individ usl rights Of the citizens
contrary to the gen ius and spirit OF oul
Republican form Of Government are
exhaustion Of the national resource
and
/ WHEREAS, II is believed that amnesty
and pardon will tend 10 secure n com
pleie and universal establishment ans
prevalence Of municipal law and ordei
in conformity with the Constitution o
the United States. and to remove al
appearances and presumpiions Of a re
taliaiive or vindictive policy on the par
Of the Government, attended by unue
cessary disquali6cations, pains, penal
ties, con sscations and disfranchisements
and on the contrary 20 promote and pre-
serve complete fraternal cancellation
among the whole people, with due sub
mission 70 thaiConstitntion and laws
Now, therefore, be Il known that
Andreu Johnson, President ol the Uniiei
States, By virtue Of the Constitution, an
in the name Of the people Ct the Unite