Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-07-04
PROCLAMATION BIZ THE PRESI-
DENT.
unconditional Pardon and
Amnesty.

WASHINGTON, July 3.-Whersas, in the
month Of July, ammo domino 1851. in ac-
cepting the civil war which was brought
about by Instruction and rebellion on
several Of the States which constitute the
United i3tates; Congress did solemnly de-
clare that war was not Waged on the part
OF the government in any spirit of oppres-
sion, nor for any purpose of conquest or
suhlugation, nor for any purpose of
oyerthrowing 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 preserve the Union
with all the dignity, equality and rights of
the several States unimpaired, and that
ss soon as the objects should be
accomplished, the war on the part of the
government 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 it ulti-
mate and complete effect, set forth several
proclamations offering amnesty and pardon
to the persons who had been or were con-
ceiVed in the afore named rebellion, which
proelamations, however, were attended
with prudential reservation and exceptions,
then deemed necessary and proper, and
which proclamations were respectively
issued on the 9Th day of December, 1860,
on the Goth day of March, 1864,
on the 29th day of May, 1866, and
on the 18th day Of September, 1857 and
whereas, the said lamentable civil war
has long since ceased, with an acknowl-
oI-nv,,.,,t h. al fha CRato, - A.
supremacy Of the Federal Constitution and
of the government Hereunder, and that
there no longer exists any reasonable
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 Con-
stitution and laws of the United States /;
and, whereas it is desirable TO reduce the
standing army, and to bring 10 a speedy
termination military occupation, mar
tial law, military tribunals, abridgemeRt of
the freedom of speech and of the press, sus-
pension Of the privilege of habeas corpus,
and of the rights OF trial by jury, such en-
croschments upon our free Institutions in
time of peace being dangerous to public
liberty compatible with the individual
II vi CAtsNCl EOubIAIJ " Lub Eculua
and spirit of our republican form of gov
eminent and exhaustion Of the national
resources and whereas, it is believed that
amnesty and pardon will tend TO secure
complete and universal establishment and
prevalence of municipal law and order in
conformity with the Constitution of the
United States, and 10 remove all appear
anees and presumptions of retaliatory or
indicative policy on the part of the gov
eminent, attended by unnecessary disqual-
i6cation, pains, penalties, con6scations and
acknowledgements, and on the contrary to
promote and procure complete fraterhal
reconciliation among the whole people,
with due submission to the Constitution
and laws. Now therefore be it known, that
l. Andrew johnson, President of the Uni
ted States, do by virtue of the Constitution
and in the name of the people of the Uni
ted States, hereby proclaim and declare,
Internationally and without reservation,
to all and every person who directly or in
directly participated in the late insurrec-
ton or rebellion, excepting such persons
as may be under presentiment or indict-
ment in any court Of the United States
having competent Jurisdiction, upon q
charge of treason or felony, a full pardon
and amnesty for the offense of treason
against the United States, or of adherring
to other 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 legally Invested under the laws
of the United States. In testimony where
of | 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 on the 4th day of
July, in the year ofOur Lord, one thousand
eight hundred aud sixty eight, Of the INDIE
pendence Of the United States of America,
the ninety-third.
(Signed) ANDREW JOHNSON,
By the President.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Sec'y. of State.