The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-12-13
WASHINGTON.
A Plea FoR scHoEppE,

WARRINGTON, Dec 1.-About fifty physi-
clans and chemists met here to-day and adopt
ed memorial TO the Governor of Pennsylva-
mia, requesting Executive clemency for DR..
Schoeppe, under sentence of death, they hav-
ing doubts of his criminality. %
INDIANS NOT TO VISIT WASHINGTON.
The Indian Office has issued circular for
bidding Indians visiting Washington hereafter.
ACQUITTED OF FELONY.
The trial of Schuman, (colored) formerly
messenger in the Treasury Department, in
dicted for passing counterfeit money, was con-
cluded to-day. He was acquitted. This case
was connected with one in which ne was here
tofore found guilty of abstracting certain I'M
signed national bank notes, but in which there
was an arrest of judgment because of an infor-
mality in the Indictment.
The following letter from ex.Gov. Wells, of
Virginia, was laid before the Reconstruction
Committee to-day:
RICHMOND, Dec 10.
My dear Sir-I had hoped that there would
be at the opening of Congress no division of
sentiment in Washington on the subject of
the immediate restoration of Virginia, and
am surprised at what occurred before the
Reconstruction Committee yesterday. We
have arrived, it seems to me, at stage in
the work of reconstruction where it is utterly
illegal to attempt the correction of any evil
which may exist here by longer denial of fed
eral representation of the State. No COnserva-
tive or Democrat will be made Republican;
no bitterness assuaged nor any spirit of amnes-
ty be encouraged or oblivion for the past be Sc
cured by an exclusion of State or individuals
from any OF the rights which belong to tho
most favored of States or cltlzens.-
Whether SUCH desirable results were ever
likely to be secured by test Oaths and
acknowledgements or not it is certain they
can have no operation from this time forward
If we are ever to secure prosperity in our ma
tional interests, harmony in our social rela-
tions, or justice and equality in our political
rights and privileges, it must be done by such
a universal act of notable amnesty as deprives
every man of the vestige of such for inflicted
injustice upon others in retribution for wrongs
or political disabilities offered by himself: One
may doubt the issue or ever believe that such
measure of liability will fail of any happy re-
suits; still it is the only refuge now left, and
wise men ought not to hesitate about making
the trial. 1t should be done in no ungracious
spirit but fully, freely, with the broadcast gem
erosity. 1t is idle to find fault with or cavil at
the means or way by which we have been
brought to this condition. 1t is entirely imma-
terial how the Republican party was defeated,
nor shall we be likely to contemplate its over
throw more graciously by longer indulging in
animosity, bitterness or recrimination, and
sincerely hope that Virginia will be restored
before the week ends without single dissent
ing vote; that before the Christmas holidays
Dy one single ACT OF amnesty Cne OlSaDllltleS OF
every citizen of this commonwealth may be re-
moved. The policy of selecting here and there
individuals for relief, not because Of their SUI
perior claims, but rather on account of the
friends they have at court or the diligence with
which they move their suit, is plainly unwise
and manifestly unjust. 1t tends largely to ag-
grayate the Irritation already existing. The
two hundred men in this way removed are not
thereby rendered any more the friends of the
government than they were before, while all
the others unremoved in their last act find of
unjust Congressional discrimination, new
cause of more substantial complaint, dislike
and bitterness. 1t is useless longer to rely on
half measures. Sever the knot at one blow.
Unite all hands by one word If this policy
does not succeed, then no other can offer any
reasonable hope Of better result. Ihope that
you will do all in your power to secure the sue
cess and early adoption of this policy. re-
main, my dear sir, yours truly.
(Signed,) III. H. WELLS.