The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-01-04
REM ARKS.

+. W. SEWARD, Ac'tg Sec. Of State.
REMARKS.
The above proclamation by the Presi-
dent, of general and unconditional am
aosty to all participating in the late re-
bcllion, is complete and exhaustive ex-
ercisc of his power upon this subject, and
will commend itself to the enlightened
judgn'on. of mankind in every part Of
the world. 1t is step in the right d.
rection, and is cmincn,ly promotive of
"pcrnancnt peace, order and prosperity
throughout tie land There being no
exceptions. nobody is left out-nobody to
be feared or dreaded by the friends of the
Government. Tho Courts of Law arc
closed against prosecution, and a shield
is thrown around those who have been
prosecuted for differing with us, at most,
ouly about fundamental principles of
government. Fortunately, the power of
wicked partsans has been thwartcd, and
the true soldier, who fought for nobler
and different object, will exult in it.
1t is appropriate that this should have
been done on the glorious anniversary. on
which the star Of the East pointed to
where the son of God was born III Bethle-
hem-wlcn the hosts Of Heaven spoke
their praise to God for lis gift to men.
saying: "Gioy TO Cod IN tie highe,t :
and on carth, peace, good lriW toparti
menr
While upon this subject, it may be
well to refer TO the authority, power and
effect Of pardon aud amnesty. From the
first days Of the world, this power, in all
governments, has been exercised by some
authority. lftlrc Prince is sovereign, lie
exercises it. If the people arc sovcr-
cign, it is lodged by that people in some
authority. The criminal code of every
country partakcs so much of necessary
severity, that without an easy access to
exceptions in favor of the innocent, or in
eases where no real crime may have been
committed. that which partisnns and ia.
natics might call justice, would sccln toe
sanguinary and cruel. If this power
were not to be exercised, there would be
no security for life, liberty or property,
and it is, therefore, an indispensable fca.
turc in government. When the Govern.
ment Of the United States was founded,
it was accomplished by the combined nc
ton of tho then sovereign States. These
sovereign authorities, by their Constitu.
tons, lodged this power absolutely in the
President, for ''ohences against the Uni.
led States, except in cases Of iinpcach.
lnent." The granting Of amnesty and
pardon under this authority is, therefore,
equal in ,ftc, to that which might have
been granted by all the sovereign people.
In other words, II has been done by them,
aud no one can doubt their authority.
The effect, then, OF amnesty, is patent.
The word imports that it is nm Oblivion to
past nets. II is II proclamation that VIC
are to forget the past and restores those
rpm whom It operates, to all their rights,
| privileges, immnniiies and property, as
fully and eiIcctually as though no offence
had been committed by them. The
States granted the power to the Presi-
dent, and cannot any moro withdraw it
thu they can resume it, or undertake to
exercise The power of punishment for acts
pardohcd 1t would be worse than nuli-
lication, so often condemned by the party
now controlling llle States.