The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-04


The long looked-for proclamation from the
President granting, without reservation, am
nesty to the late rebels of the South has at
length appeared, and will be found published
elsewhere In the HERALD of this morning. It
is appropriate that on this day, the anniversary
of our national independence, an act of elem
ency like this should be performed and the last
barrier to complete restoration of the Union
and return of kindly and fraternal feelings
between the two great sections of the republic
swept away, far into the irrevocable past, for
ever. So far, then, as he can Mr.. johnson
has given the finishing touch to the work Of
reconstruction. In the proclamation he de-
clares that the time has arrived when civil law
should be supreme in the South that there
is no reasonable ground for apprehending
renewal of the rebellion; that pains
and penalties for offences committed
and long since expiated are unneces-
sary, and that continued military
rule, denial of the right of trial by jury and
suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in
time of profound peace are prejudicial to and
in conflict with the spirit of our republican
institutions. On this day, therefore, Jefferson
Davis is the only man remaining unpardoned,
and he would probably have been made
subject of executive clemency had not his
indictment for treason prevented it.
This latest official act of the President will
be received with satisfaction throughout the
country, for although the number Of persons
benefited by the proclamation is comparatively
small, it comprises the leading men of the South.
So long as they were kept alienated from the
mass of their fellow-citizens and held liable to
indictments and trials on charges Of treason, 80
long was the work of pacifcation incomplete.
Such men as Robert e. Lee, Joseph E. John
ston and other rebel leaders are the true re-
representatives. of the Southern people, and 1t is
well that their disabilities have been removed
at least to the extent that the Executive can
remove them. We have nothing to fear from
them in the future, and there is much to hope
from men who, however mistaken their cause,
fought US with valor which has made the
name of an American known throughout the
civilized world as the synonyme for heroism.
We feel profound pleasure that on this day
there dwells no political pariah in the United
States. The lawless deeds of Jacobin Con-
gress may for while longer keep beneath the
heel of despotism the late rebels of the South,
but the people will soon relieve them of their
burden. If the voice of wisdom and modera-
ton shall prevail in the councils of the Conven-
tons that assemble in this city to-day the
ninety third anniversary of American independ-
ence will be as glorious and memorable as was
the first. Universal amnesty and supremacy
of the law will then march on linked together;
the bloody pages Of our four years of civil war
and the leaves on which are inscribed the
history of radical tyranny and misrule will be
closed forever, and future full of peace,
friendship and prosperity will be tho destiny
of the country. Henceforth instead Of re-
proaches and recriminations the Southern and
the Northern man can clasp each others hands
in fraternal grasp, and If, as they must, memo
ries Of what has been shall come back
at times, they will cause no bitterness
only regret at that which was perhaps
inevitable. Mr.. johnson has performed q
praiseworthy action in every respect. We have
had enough of bloodshed and of political strife.
Whatever may have been their fanlts, the
people Of the South are our countrymen, and
there Is much In their history that should make
Us proud to own them % SUCH Their destiny
is ours, just as ours is theirs From this
proclamation of amnesty let US hope that
brighter and happier years will come, and that
that peace which we so srdently desire may