New-York tribune., 1870-12-16
zBOUT AMNESTY.

e,,n convictions that Universal Amnesty Is
alike magranimous and politio nave never
been disguised, we comprehend the considera-
tions adverse to it and freely admit thelr
force. We know that the spirit which drove
the South into q foolish, wanton rebellion Is
still widespread and rampant we know that
there are thousands Of ex-Rebels so embittered
by their unexpected and utter discontinue
that they cannot appreciate generosity, anu
would cOnfound kindness with weakness, IL
they did not misinterpret it az cowardice' we
know that that most unwise, malignant organ
ization popularity known as ku-Kiux, eth IN
tests and disquets portions of the South, In
6ictinc injuries and outrages on scattered
Blacbs and other defenseless Unionists, and that,
In spite of the best efforts of Congress and
| the Executive, thousands of negroes arc CO.
creed into voting the ticket OF their persecu-
tors or overawed into not voting at all. In
short we feel and admit that good case can
be made for pUstponing Universal Amnesty,
which, without at all shaking our CONVICTION
of its Justice and wisdom, would impel millions
to demand and vote for pOstpOnement OF
this measure of pacifcation. If, therefore,
Congress shall vote down such Amnesty, we
|
But, whenever Amnesty shall be deemed
timely, we entreat that it be made thorough.
! A dozen picayune Amnesty bills will do much
to inhame and diffuse Southern discomfort
nothing to allay it. An act of Amnesty Win
large exceptions will offend two classes-l.
Those whom it relieves of disabilities; 2. Those
whom it leaves under the ban. The former
will feel insulted as by an intimation that
they are of no account; the latter will com
plain that they are still prescribed when
thousands less deserving of clemency have
been forgiven. And from their point of view,
each class will be clearly right.
We object to restricted Amnesty that it
tends to the creation of an aristOcracy at the
South-an aristocracy, founded not on wisdom,
nor on merit, but on prominence in the late
Rebellion. Those exempted from the general
oblivion of past Offenses will plume themselves
upon the fact as tribute to their ability or
their efficiency in the Rebel service; they will
be admired, deferred to, and accorded social
distinction and political influence. The fact
that they are not eligible to Office will enable
! them to indicate the men to be chosen. They
are in fact neither better nor worse than many
others; but their prescription, when they
1 shall have been so restricted in number that
! each of them is known and marked, will Clothe
them with peculiar and unwholesOme power.
1t does seem to us that the case of Jefferson
Davis ought ere this to have commended its
moral even to the most ordinary cOmprehen-
sion. Had he been shot, as, upon the verdict of
q court-martial, he lawfully might have been,
within three days of his capture, he would
have been enshrined in o million hearts for
ever, and his name and deeds would have
been potent spell for generations. SO long
as he was kept iii prison, he was the un-
crowned king of millions, to whom his lightest
wish was law, his word the end of COntrO-
versy. sentiment of honor held every Con-
federate loyal to him so long as he remained
in duress for an offense common to him and
to them. Had he been kept for ten years
prisoner of state, he would have been
to the last the chief of crushed but indom-
liable party whereof fidelity to their suffering
head was the point of honor. But his liberia
ton was also theirs. When he walked out of
that Richmond Courthouse a free man, he
was dethrOned monarch, and such he has
remained. Ho goes to Europe and returns
stops few days in New-York or Baltimore
looks vigilantly after the interests of his life
insurance company or neglects them, without
exciting ripple of curiosity. A few intense
Rebels may still feel constrained to pay him
some personal attention, and even homage
but he no longer fills the eye of the public or
is regarded by millions with as much solci-
tude as Weston the walker or Mace the pu-
gilist.
Shall wisdom still cry and no man regard
her mOnitiOnsT DO let us comprehend that
the real question is not whether certain
prominent Rebels shall or shall not be further
punished for their causeless war upon the
Union, but whether we shall or shall not enable
them to strut their little hour as demi-gods
exalted in the views of their public by the
short sighted though natural resentment OF
Republicans, whose vengeful. wrath will not
let them see that, if the object were to divest
these men of capacity to do mischief, it would
be secured by amnesty, not prescription, and
that, if the end sought be vengeance and just
retributiOn, it is utterly defeated by policy
which exalts its objects not only in their own
estimation, but also'in that Of their neighbors
and cherished friends.