Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-06
A General Amnesty.

The question is often asked why Presi-
dent johnson does not proclaim gem
eral amnesty for offenses committed in
connection with the war. We have now
had perfect peace for more than three
years, and there has not been during
that entire period so much as a suspicion
that any portion of the people of the
South were not practically loyal, or that
there was the slightest grounds for
believing that any purpose existed
anywhere to renew the attempt for
Southern independence In these
facts the Government has ample in
demnity for the past as well as complete
security for the future. If the Southern
people could restrain themselves and
their natural dispositions to resist and
resent wrongs under the expressions to
which they have been subjected since
the close of the war, it is fair to presume
that they will not attempt it under less
aggravating circumstances. They are
entirely conscious of their own
weakness and inability to confront the
Government, and, though they had the
disposition, they know that they are
powerless to strike blow in their own
defense, no matter how grinding the
tyranny imposed. They have been quiet,
submissive and aw7Rbiding. Congress
has prosecuted them to the extent of its
power and even beyond the extent of its
legitimate authority; but it has always
been in the power of the President to re-
lieve them of their political disabilities.
Why he has not done it, is impossible to
conjecture. 1t was certainly his wisest
policy to do it. 1t would have been
very emphatic expression of his con-
demnation of the Radical persecution of
the Southern people, and it would have
greatly strengthened him in the estima
ton of all right thinking men North
and South. After he had deferred the
exercise Of his authority in this regard
until the inauguration Of the subject Of
impeachment, we could account for the
postponement Of any action. A procla'
nation of general amnesty would have
enraged his enemies and rendered his
chance of acquittal less certain. He had
too much at stake to risk anything, and
it was not his policy to provoke
bad feeling or retaliation. But now
the case is changed. impeachment is
dead Andrew johnson has bis enemies
beneath his feet. They have failed to
depose him upon the strongest charges
which they could cOncoct, and they can
find no better material now than that
which they have already exhausted, and
be is safe for the remainder Of his term,
and can afford to be both mRgnauimous
ard just Can any one see any reason
why be should not be7 We confess that
we cannot Every argument that We can
think Of points to the wisdom Of. this
policy, and we caa find no argument
against H.
The amnesty. If proclaimed, should
embrace all. We have had enough of
partial pardous which have left certain
classes within the range Of future perse-
cuiions Why should Jefferson Davis
be tried for treason2 Every sane man
in America knows that be cannot be
convicted, and that II convicted public
sentiment would H0t tolerate bis punish.
meni. Why should ]. c. Breckinridge,
Ksntucky' idol, be On exile and a van
derer in foreign lands when the
scratch Of Andrew Johnson's pen could