The New York herald., 1868-12-26

nation an UNIV arranted act OF aut.o Oh tne par
Of the President They threaten totre,t II as OF nc
effect, and some Of them even 60 far as 10 talk
new impeachment Of the President This, how
ever, finds little favor among those now here. Able
lawyers like Senator Trumbull say Congress cannot
do anything to set the proclamation aside, even Il
they were SO disposed, though it Is probable some
such foolish attempt will be made by those more
jealous than prudent.
Opinions Of the Newspaper Press Upon the
Presidents Amnesty Proclamation.
From the Washington lntelligencer administration
organl, Dec. 25.l
The proclamation by the President OF general and
unconditional amnesty to all participating in the
late erebeion-[pubshedi in the HERALD yesterday
Will be read with more than common interest. IL is
brief IN its terms and like all the other State papers
OF the President, direct and perspcuous.
1t cannot be said that the President has acted
hastily or inconsderately in this important matter
Every step has been taken advisedly, ana upon a
full consideration OF the condition OF public sent-
men and the best interests OF the country its per-
manent honor welfare and safety. His first act OF
amnesty, issued soon after the close OF the war;
pard0ned by one act the masses OF those lately in
resistance 10 the federal authority but all those
prominent by office, wealth or influence were
omitted tor further and more special consideration
Gradually. by special pardons, and by successive
acts OF amnesty the number OF those excluded
from pardon was reduced to comparatively few
persons, until by the proclamation OF the 4th OF
July last there were less than hundred excluded
being those who were under Indictment In the fede
raj courts. This included Mr.. Davis General Lee
General breckenridge and other prominent men OF
the cOnfederacy but among the list thus still shut
out from the benefits OF the amnesty not few
persons who were much less conspicuous than many
OF those whose pardons had already been granted
with the approval OF the country. In this cOnnec-
tion we may note the fact that both the great par
ties OF the country are In measure committed to
approve this act OF general amnesty by the Presi-
vention at New York planted itself on the broad
ground of amnesty for all political oirences;n anu
the republicans DV falling Insist in their Dat-
form upon the application OF the penal laws on the
statute book against Mr.. Davis and his associates,
may be regarded as substantially yielding to the
position assumed by many OF their leading speakers
ndso and writer's namely universal suffrage ana uni.
Intelligent sagacious and eminently practical the
American people are to-day sincerely anxious for
peace. harmony and real restoration OF the Union
they want not merely territorial sovereignty, but
a knitting together once more IN iraterna harmony
Of the forces lately Earring and at war, destined
soon, we trust, TO ''march all one way.u This
yearning OF the national heart Is not 10 be put on
with words or promises 1t demands substantial
positive acts. The proclamation OF to-day will be
hailed as real tangible step towards peace.
From the Philadelphia Press Congress organ),
Dec. 25.]
President Johnson's proclamation, in which he
deliberately sets himself against the fourteenth con-
stltutiona amendment, and attempts to pardon the
enemies OF the government in the late rebellion, is
the latest OF his eleventh hour expedients There
seems to be little opportunity disposition to
punish these reckless men, but II anything could in
duce Congress to refuse to relieve them it Is this
and the laws and to set them free under his pro-
clamation. The question has been repeatedly set
these cases but % he seems disposed "s to dis.
card all authority, and to terminate his
career In the Presidency by proving that his
should be punished and be made to take o back
seat" was utterly nsincere anu dishonest. Should
Davis, Beauregard, Mason and others attempt to
resume their rights under this proclamation case
win be made up Of some interest. Congress wal,
no doubt, take early notice OF It.
From the Providence journal forgan OF United
States senator Anthony, Dec. Is.
The President has issued q proclamation extend
ing amnesty and pardon, without reservation, to all
the participants IN the late rebellion, and restoring,
80 far as executive proclamation can, all their for
feited rights and immunities. This proclamation
will enable number OF distinguish he'd exiles TO re-
ture to the land they sought to rend In twain. Fur
tner than that it viii accomplish little for good or
evil.
IRON the washington Chronicle Congress RADICAL,
Dec 26.
We print elsewhere the latest proclamation OF An
drew johnson. This time he proclaiins a universal
amnesty Including In 1t even the chiefs OF the re-
beon. This much, at least. must be said for him In
this connection-viz., that he shows certain sense
Of poetic fitness IN selecting Christmas Day for his
proclamation OF "peace on earth and good Will to
men, 1t will be recollected that his last amnesty
proclamation also appeared to have been issued
with eye to dramatic as well as political effect,
the day selected being the Fourth OF July and the
day OF the assembling OF the democratic nominating
convention. As Davis was In a lair way 10 be re-
leased by the courts he will not have 40 very much
for which to thank Mr.. Johnson. In view Of The
latters plebeian origin this circumstance Will
doubtless be pleasing to his arisiocratic concet.
From the Baltimore American Congress rad
ical, Dec. 25.l
President Johnson yesterday issued his expected
amnesty proclamation extending pardon, uncond.
tionaily and without reservation for the offence OF
treason to the United states and adhering to their
enemies to all parties concerned in the late rebellion
with restoration to all their rights, immunites and
privileges under the constitution aud the laws.
While the pardon puts an end TO the JcG Davis case
and enables Breckenridge, Slide Mason and Others
now abroad, return to the United states. n does
not relieve either these or any other parties from
the disabilities imposed by the fourteenth consttu
tional amendment. IL simply relieves them from
prosecution for treason.
from the New Haven Palladium, Congress radicaIl
Bee rs
Andrew Johnson who began his Presidency by
promising to hang Jef Davis and his brother rebels
has issued proclamation giving them complet,
amnesty IL IL OF course an inconsistency. but We
do not TO find fault with II. None OF the rebels
would have been punished and none design iha
they should. To be pardoned by Andrew Johnson y
ON additional ignomlny.
| From the New Haven journal Congress radcail
Dec. 25.l
This season Of s'peace, good win 10 men, Presi
dent johnson has proper 10 commemorate b,
issuing the proclamation OF universal amnesty, pub
| listed In another column. Full pardon IA now ex
tended to all who In any way or In any capacit,
aided the rebellion. The leading spirits, excluded
pdSe se .iS Jacob y thompson. Mason and sdenos
| come within its terms and on the strength OF q new
lease OF life may return from their forced expatria
ton to m the chairs OF vacant college presdencies
or concoct new schemes for national ruin. A ready
| delivery from the Jen Davis dilemma Is herein pro
vided and IN putting end to the trial farce this
community will experience grateful sense OF relief
| From the Baltimore sun independently Dec. ISL
The President has finished up his pardons on ac
count OF the rebellion In o comprehensive and be
coming amnesty proclamation dated and issued to
dav The season for this exhibition Of Executive
clemency and good sense is well chosen 10 illustrate
/ the benign influences OF peace and good Will TOWARD
men.
THAT the "prudentia reservations and exceptions
made on past occasions 'smay now he wisely an(
Justly reinuuished- Is conviction shared with tn
President by all reasonable and truly patriotic men
by all who have breadth OF mind and heart suiiicien
L nd orf moi N 10