The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-15

Congress Yesterday-The Amnesty Bill.

| Congress Yesterday-The Amnesty Bill.
General Buffers bill, reported by him from
| the Reconstruction Committee, which pro-
fesses in its title to be one of general grace,
amnesty and oblivion, was discussed in the
House yesterday, and is to be brought to
vote to-day. When we see the numerous
classes that are excepted from its restorative
operation we might be inclined to wonder who
it was that were to be benefited by it, did we
not learn from the report of General Buffers
speech that it was to apply to postmas-
tiers, sheriffs and constables, and such
other small fry, ex-offcials of the United
States, as having taken the oath to support
the constitution of the United States, after
wards gave aid and comfort TO the rebellion,
and are now, consequently, under the Political
disabilities imposed by the fourteenth amend
ment to the constitution. The classes which
the bill specially excerpts from any grace
or favor on account of their participa-
ton in the rebellion are officers of
the United States Army or Navy educated
at the military or naval academies, members
Of the United States or the Confederate Con-
gress, heads Of executive departments, diplo-
matte ministers, and judges under the United
States or Confederate governments, members
of conventions who voted for or signed ordl-
nances of secession, governors of States
while in rebellion, those who treated with
cruelty soldiers of the United States while
prisoners of war, those who embezzled public
moneys or stores belonging to the United
States, deserters from the army and navy and
bounty jumpers. Whatever may be thought of
the justice of furnishing in this manner officers
who deserted their flag and members who left
the Senate and the House to encourage and
support the rebellion, we cannot see the pro-
priety of extending the penalty to the other
classes indicated. 1t is well-known historic
cal fact that, under the maddening popu-
lar excitement of the times, ordi-
nances of secession were voted for and
signed by delegates who were most
strongly in favor of the maintenance
of the Union, but who could not resist the
local influences by which they were sur
rounded. Many Of such men were subse-
quently members Of the Confederate Con-
gress and some of them were governors of
States, and the refusal to extend the mantle
Of grace, amnesty and oblivion to such men
makes the title of the bill cruel misnomer.
1t is just such men of influence and high
standing in the communities in which they
live that should be welcomed back into the
national fold, and made instrumental in win
ming all their fellow citizens back to loyalty
and love Of country and flag. We approve
heartily, and the country will approve and
endorse, the substitute which Mr.. Farnsworth,
of Illinois, himself a member of the Recon-
struction Committee, offered for the BILL 1t
proposes, in a few lines, to remove all
political disabilities imposed by the four
teenth article of the constitution. 1t
an enactment alone is deserving of
the name Of general amnesty" Such a bill
alone will be creditable to the Congress Of the
United States such bill alone will tend to
smooth away the asperities that have survived
the war, and only such bill will meet the
approval of all right thinking men at home
and abroad. We hope, therefore, that the
House will sustain the proposition Of Mr. |
Farnsworth and pass it as substitute for Mr. |
Buffers bill, which may then properly retain
the title Of bill of general grace, amnesty
and oblivion"
The only other subject of interest on which
Congress was engaged yesterday was bill
reported in the House from the COMMITTEE on
Manufactures, to give the sanction and en-
dorsement Of Congress to the commemoration
of the centenary Of American independence
by grand international exhibition Of art
and manufactures in the city Of Philadelphia
in 1876 This matter was discussed for
couple of hours and went over without action
until to-day, when it will probably be taken
up and disposed of.
IL