The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-02-03
AMNESTY.
The Rer,oyal Of Disabilities.

n ONS'sSASN].ra
letter, enuncates the true policy to be pur-
sued by Congress in the removal of disa
bilities, and he marks out so plain path
for; the disfranchised to take, that we re-
produce his entire enabling scheme for the
information of those who are anxious to be
relieved, for it is the only road to grace.
All who seek pardon should follow the no.
BILE example set by Judge Grassland: ID
E In Ie-organizing the Southern States, no
rejecting statesman has ever contended for
the perpetual disfranchisement of the au-
thors of the rebellion and their associates
The disqualifying clause of the fourteenth
amendment declaring that two-thirds of
each branch of Congress may remove all
disabilities, left an open door for repentance
on the one side and magnanimity on the
other. What the Republicans ask, (and
this they will insist upon,) is perfect obe-
bience to the laws the part of the Often
ders, and such guarantees as will commit
them to the protection in all their rights of
the Union men of the South, white and
black. stf,5maqs.se Lsia .s5a8zae si5Ga.
An act of universal amnesty is impossible,
at least for considerable period. Such a
proceeding would be including in a general
pardon men who have never asked for relief,
and have never regretted their part in the
rebellion. 1t wonld, in fact, be an endorse
ment OF their treason. 1t would remit the
Union men entirely to their "tender mercies."
1t would be fragrant defiance of the pro-
tests of those who have been the only
friends of the Union in the late fearful
q struggle s.5 - H4H a.s a13iy
How, then, shall we secure safety to
these our friends in the South. and exercise
wise and necessary magnanimity to the
recent rebels. answer, by calling upon
those who desire to be relieved to ask for
that relief, and toshow by that asking that,
regretting the past, they are resolved to be
loyalin the future. Congress evidently ex-
poets to be so invited for when Judge
Grassland, of Kentucky, last year elected to
an Office in that State after having partici-
ing memorial to the two Houses, he was al
most Immediately relieved:
I, To the Honorable Senate and House of Repre-
sentatices:
Your petitioner respectfully represents
that he is citizens of Kentucky that,
affected by the prevailing excitement in his
section anil by the influence of friends, he
participated in the late unhappy rebellion !;
but as soon as the confederate army sur
rendered to the national authority he re-
turned in good faith to his national al
legiunce, and that lie has kept his faith will
be verified by all who know him. He
therefore earnestly and sincerely prays that
he may be re7enfrancliised according to the
81, - Il
in this behalf and your petitioner will ever
pray forp peace and harmony in the future tor
our common country 1a "a 5gs.l
aal 5 tsgo EDWARD GRASSLAND.
The Washington Chronicle says:
Now, the mere. fact of asking for any
thing shows that it is valuable. Those
who dc. not choose to ask for this act of
grace either show an entire want of contri-
ton for past offences or stubborn defiance
of the dominant majority, who so glorious
ly and Loyalty prosecuted the war to a sue
cessful termination. Do such individuals
merit any relief, from us Such statesmen
as Judge Bingham are ready to support, in
the heartiest manner, all proper eases but
the first guarantee which Jndge Bingham
desires is an application for relief by the
party requiring it. ~ -.
:. Tue man writing such a letter would
have to be base indeed to forget it; and
when reflect how nobly such Confederates
as Roger A. Pryor, Gen. Longstreet, and
WV Boyce have borne themselves since
they were made the objects of the generosity
of their coneuerors, do not doubt that any
one who applies for amnesty in the spirit Of
Judge Grassland will be equally tenacious
We owe much to our Union friends in the
South-I had almost said everything; but
even in their interest it is the wisest states
lmanshp to show every disposition to forgive
their enemies, whenever that can be done
without imperiling guaranteed rights.
II There is no better way to build up the
Republican party in, the South than by
adding to its members from the best mate
rial of the native white population. l be
lieve there are thousands of these men ready
. to join that party if the opportunity is pre-
sented. Nobody proposes to maintain ar
organization on the basis of disfranchising
any class forever. We could not do it il
we would. We ought not if We could.
Let us then, whenever a Southern mar
who participated in The rebellion Comes
forward in the spirit Of Judge Grassland
and General Longstreet, meet him at least
half way; and when his friends see that he
is welcomedIback to the old freside by the
Republicans, they will not only follow his
example, but the Republicans of the South
gain strength by, the fidelity with which ht
observes his promise. 9.,t, .tsf. sIsil.,e.s,