Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-07-14
Amnesty Proclamation.
D,J tItC 4 TCStttCFtt e1tC O't'eoee
PROCLAMATION

r-,o-.r A PROCLAMATION. IT
lssl-. li.so1aI WASHINGTON, July 3, 1868.
Whereas, In the month of July, Ammo
Domini 1861, In accepting the condition OF clvl
war which was brought about by lnsurrectlon
and rebellion in several OF the States which con-
stituted the United States, the two Houses OF
Congress did solemnly declare that war was not
spirit of oppression nor for any purpose OF con-
quest or subjugation, 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
Constitution of the United States and to pre-
serve the Union with all the dignity, equality,
and rights of the several Statesunlmpalred, and
that so soon as those objects should be accom-
plished the war on the part OF the Government
should cease; and -@--sya
Whereas The President of the United States
has heretofore in the spirit of the declaration,
and with the view of securing for it ultimate and
complete effect set forth several proclamations
offering amnesty and pardon to persons who had
been or were concerned in the aforenamed rebel
lion, which proclamations, however, were attend
ed with prudential reservations and exceptions
then deemed necessary and proper, and which
proclamations were respectively issued on the
9Th of December, 1868, on the Goth day of
March, 1864, on the goth day of May, 1855, and
on the 7th day of September, 1867 and
Whereas, The said lamentable civil war has
long since altogether ceased, with an acknowl-
edgment by the States of the supremacy of the
Federal Constitution and of the Government
Hereunder, and there no longer exists any rea-
sonable ground to apprehend 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 to the Constitution and laws
of the United States; and
Ia 81 40 1,,o IL,
army and to bring to speedy termination mil
itary occupation, martial law, military tribunals,
abridgment of the freedom of speech and of the
press, and suspension Of the privilege of the
habeds corpus and of the right of trial by jury,
such encroachments upon our free institutions
in time of peace being dangerous to public
liberty, incompatible with the individual rights
of the citizen, contrary to the genius and spirit
of our republican form Of government and ex-
haustive of the national resources and
Whereas, 1t is believed that amnesty and par
don will tend to secure complete and universal
establishment and prevalence of municipal law
and order Ia conformity with the Constitution
of the United States, end to remove all appear
ances or assumptions of retRliatory or vindc
tive policy on the part of the government, at
tended by unnecessary dlsqualifcations, pains,
penalties, confscations and acknowledgements,
and on the contrary to promote and produce
complete fraternal reconciliation among the
whole people, with due submission to tho Con-
stitution and Laws:
Now, therefore, be it known that |, Andrew
Johnson, President of the United States, do by
virtue of the Constitution and In the name of
the people of the United States, hereby proclaim
and declare Internationally and without reserva-
ton, to all and to every person who directly or
in directly participated in the late instruction
or rebellion, excepting such person or persons
as may be under presentmeut or indictment in
any court Of the United States, having competent
jurisdiction, upon charge of treason OF any
other felony, full pardon amnesty for the Of
fence of treason against the United States OF of
adhering to their enemies during the late civil
war, with restoration of all rights Of property
except as to slaves and except also as to any
property of which any person may have been le
gal!y devested by the laws Of the United States.
In testimony whereof [ have signed these
presents with my hand and have caused the seal
of the United States to be hereunto affixed
Done at the city of Washington the 4th day
of july in the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and sixty eight. and of the in
dependence of the United States Of America
the ninty-third.
lSigned ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President
VIM TT SEWARD Secretary of State