The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-07-04
~ TIVE PREsuDENr OF THE
UNITED STA = En-.
A PRoULA NJ ALTON

Whereas In the month OF July, A. ID. 1891,
In accepting the condition Of civil war, which
was brought about by Instruction and rebel-
lion ia several Of the States which constitute
the United atates, the two Houses OF Congress
aid solemnlyf declare that the war was not
wASed on the part Of the O ovcrnment in any
apirit Of oppression, nor for any purpose Of
conquest or subjugation, nor Tor 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
preserve the Union with all the dignity,
equality and rights OF the several states un-
impaired; and that SO soon as those objects
should be accomplished the war on the part OF
the Government should eeasei
And whereas the President Of the United
States has heretofore, in the spirit OF that dec.
laration, and with the view OF securing for II
ultimate and complete effect, set forth several
proelamations offering amnesty and pardon to
persons who had been or were concerned In
the aforesaid rebellion, which proclsmations,
however, were attended with prudential res
ervations and exceptions, then deemed neecs-
sary and proper, aud which proclamations
were respectively issued on the eighth day of
December. lso3, on the twenty-sixth day Of
March, 1854, on the twenty-ninth day Of May,
1895, and on the seventh day of September,
1861;
And whereas the said lamentabie civil war
has long since altogether ceased, with an
acknowledgment by all the States OF the
supremacy OF the Federal Constitution, and
the Government Hereunder, and there no
longer exists any reasonable ground to appre-
bend q renewal of the said civil war, nor any
foreign interference or any unlawful resist
ance by any portion Of the people OF any Of
the States to the Constitution and laws OF the
United States;
And whereas It Is desirable to reduce the
standing army, and to bring to a speedy tcrmi.
nation military occupation, martial law, mill.
tsry tribunals, abridgement OF freedom of
speech and Of the press, and suspension OF the
privilege Of habcas corpus, and the right OF
trial by jury-such enerolchments upon our
Zee institutions in times Of peace being dan
gerous to public liberty, Incompatible with
the individual rights of the citizen, contrary
totho genius and spirit OF our republican
form Of Government, and exhaustive pr the
national resources;
And whereas, II is believed that amnesty
and pardon will tend to secure a complete
and universal establishment and prevalence
Of municipal law and order, in conformity
and to remove all appearances or presump.
tions Of a retaliatory or vindietivc policy,
on the part of the Government, attended by
unnecessary disqualification, pains, penal
ties, connscations, and disfranch isement, and
on the contrary, to promote and procure
complete fraternal reconciliation among the
whole people, with due submission to the
Constitution and laws;
Now, therefore, be 1t known that l, 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 pro-
claim and declare, Internationally and with.
out reservation, to all and to every person
who, directly or indirectly. participated in the
late Instruction or rebellion, excepting such
person or persons as may be under present.
ment or indictment In any court OF the United
States having competent Jurisdiction upon
charge Of treason or other felony, full par
don and amnesty for the offence of treason
against the United States, or 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 legally
Invested under 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 Affixed.
Done at the city Of Washington the fourth
day Of July In the year Of our Lord
IT. one thousand eight hundred and sixty.
eight, and of the Independence Of the
United States Of America the ninety
third. ANDREW JOHNSON.
BY the President:
WILLIAM II. SEWARD,
Secretary OF State.