Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-01-01
The Amnea,v Proclamation.


her Golfers without an expectancy.
The Amnesty Proclamation.
The Baltimore San Of the 28th Instant,
remarks that the proclamation of the Presi-
dent, to which we referred on Friday, Of
general and unconditional amnesty to all
who participated in the resistance to the
government in the late civil war, seems to
meet with q responsive echo in public SEN
timent, except among those whose political
interests lie in the direction Of keeping
open the gap that the war has made, and
not permitting the influence even to heal
its wounds. But that great mass of cltl-
zens who, whatever their party names, sim
cerely desire the restoration Of unity be-
tween the various sections OF q common
country, will rejoice that this great act has
been performed, SO as to secure "perma-
nent peace, order and prosperity through
out the land" Internationally all who
took up arms against the United States, or
adhered to its enemies during the late civil
war, are pardoned, though this is supposed
to have no effect on other than political
offenses. The last proclamation of am
nesty-that of the 18th OF July-Ieft I'M
Hardened only few prominent civil and
military officers OF the Confederacy, such
as President Davis, Gen. Lee, and others,
but they, as well as ali others, are embraced
in the provisions OF the present proclama-
ton, which relieves them from prosccu-
lions for treason, though not from disablli-
ties incurred under the fourteenth amend
ment of the Constitution. The Presidents
power to pardon Is & constitutional preroga-
tive conferred upon him by the second sec
ton of the first article of the Constitution.
In 1862, July Il, IN act was passed con-
tanning q section authorizing the President,
ut any time thereafter, 10y proclamation, to
extend amnesty and pardon, but this sec
ton was repealed by an act which passed
the House December 3, 1866, and the Sen
ate January Z, 1867. The section repealed
was, in reality, only afirmatory Of the con-
stitutional power, and no legislation OF
Congress could either add to or diminish
his constitutional authority in that regard.
The act OF 1862 was designed mainly. it is
believed, to announce policy at that time
on the part of the government, as an in
ducement to those IN arms against 1t to re-
turn to allegiance. The next step, in the
case of those under Indictment, will be for
the proper officer of the court to move the
dismissal of the indictments, and thus the
last formality will be accomplished, by
which the merciful operation Of universal
amnesty will be made complete.
This browning act of executive clemency
and of wise and benefcent craftsmanship
will give lustre to Mr.. Johnsons admin
istration which will only grow brighter
with the lapse of time, when its benefcent
results have an opportunity to display
themselves, if Congress will refrain from
adding new elements Of discord to sectional
passions, and carry out in good faith the
sentiment upon which the incoming Presi
dent was elected, "Let US have peace. -
1t is scarcely more a matter Of cOngratula-
ton that President johnson has issued a
proclamation of universal amnesty, than that
the condition of public sentiment upon the
subject has become such as to warrant him
IN that important step. The same public
sentiment calls upon Congress and the next
administration to pursue a policy IN accOr-
dance with the standard of peace recOncilia-
ton which has been set up The people
desire to see amnesty extended by the gen
eral and State governments in the univer-
sal removal of acknowledgements and disa-
bilities from those who now labor under
them. so that the country may begin once
more career of restoration, material and
financial, as well as political, and surpas-
sing in prosperity and power the brightest
era of its former prosperity.
From the h. Y. Herald December %.
1t has come at last. The universal par
don to the participants in our late South
ern rebellion, which President johnson
had been loug time contemplating, was
reduced to proclamation the day before
Christmas, SO that on this great day of
"peace and good will to men" it might be
published to the world. It is the Presi-
dents Christmas gift, Internationally
and without reservation, to all and every
person who, directly Or indirectly, partici-
pated IN the late instruction or rebellion, y
OF "a tull pardon and amnesty for the Of
fence of treason against the United States.
OF of adhering to the enemies thereof in
the late civil war, with q restoration of all
rights, privileges and immunities under
the Constitution and the laws made in
pursuance thereof"
This new free list embraces such hither-
to unpardOned COnfederates SIS JEFF. Davis.
Breckenridge, Mason, Slidell, BENJAMIN,
Jacob Thompson and other Southern ex.
lies. and throws open tho doors Of the
United States on all sides for their return
nome whenever they please Best of all
1t puts an end TO the farce of the JEFF
Davis trial, and releases Messrs. Greeley
Gerrit Smith, John Minor Bolts el al. Of
their bail bonds for the due appearance Of
SAID Davis before court when called for
For all practical purposes, so far as his
trlal Is concerned, he might as we'll have
neen pardoned year or two ago. Con
slder1ng the fact, however, that the cap
lure OF Davis. under the Presidents pro
ciamatlon of May, 1865, cost the govern
ment hundred Thousand dollars, it j.
p r9oaOle that Mr.. johnson thought it ex
pedient 70 get the worth Of his money ou
him. 60 e.. -.s- 'eie'''ins
This present proclamation restores l.