The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-07-10
A Proclamation of amnesty.
RI The President of the United States.

Vhearas, In the month Of July, Ammo DOM
ini 1861, in accepting the condition Of civil war
which was brought about by instruction and
rebellion in several Of the States which constitu
ted the United States, the two Houses Of Con-
gress did solemnly declare that the war was not
wsged on the part Of the Government in any
spirit of oppression, nor for any purpose Of con.
quest or subjugation, nor for any purpose Of
oycrthrowing or interfering with tho rights or
established institutions Of the States, but only to
defend and maintain the supremacy Of the Con-
stituton of the United States, and to preserve
the Union, with all the dignity, equality, and
rights Of the several States unimpaired, and that
30 soon a. these objects should be accomplished
the war on the part Of Government should
cease; 1854.
.and uhersas, The President Of the United
States has, heretofore, In the spirit Of that dec
laraton, and with the view Of securing for II III
innate and complete effect, set forth several
proclamations offering amnesty and pardon to
persons who had been or were concerned In the
aforenamed rebellion, which proclamations, how
ever were attended with prudential reservations
and exceptions then deemed necessary and prop
or, and which proclsmations were respectfully
issued on the 9Th day Of December, 1868 on
the 2Gth Of March, 1864 on the 10Th Of May,
1866, 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 all the States Of the supremacy Of
the Federal Constitution, and Of tbs Government
Hereunder (; and there no longer exists any reaso
on able ground to apprehend q renewal Of the
said civil war, or any forcieg 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
Whereas, It's desirable to reduce the stand
ing army and to bring TO o speedy termination
military occupation, martial law, military tri-
bunals, abridgement Of the freedom Of speech
and Of the press, and suspension Of the privilege
of habeas corpus and Of the right Of trial by
Jury, such encruachments upon our free institu-
tons 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 cx-
haustve Of the national resources:
Il find ,phsrsas, 1t Is believed that amnesty and
pardon will tend to secure complete and uni
ycrsal establishment and prevalence Of munich
pal law and order, in conformity with the Con-
stitufion Of the United States, and to remove all
appearances and presumption Of a retslatory or
ylndictiye policy on the part Of tho Government,
attended by unnecessary disqualifcations, pains,
penalties, confscations, and acknowledgements,
and on the contrary to promote and procure
complete fraternal reconciliation among the
whole people with due submission to the Consti-
tuition and laws Now, therefore, be II known,
that I, Andrew johnson, President ofthe 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 reservation, to oil and to every per-
son who directly or indirectly participated In
the late instruction or rebellion, excepting such
person or persons as may be under presentment
or Indictment in any Court Of the United States
having competent Jurisdiction upon charge Of
treason or other felony, a full pardon and am
ncsty for tho 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 IS to slaves, and except also
rs to any property Of which any person may
have been legally Invested under the laws Of the
Unitel States. '.'
In testimony whereof have signed these
presents with my hand and have causel the
seal of the Unitel States to be hereunto affixed.
Done at the City 81 Washington the Eurth day II July,
Ia the year Il Isnl, lsGS anil Of III. Ilsrgle,cc of
the rntnl Stats Il America the vll .
by the President, ANDREW JOHNSON.
WILLIAM II. sEvARp, Secretary State.