The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-23

bers There are, in the first place, opponents
of amnesty in all shapes. save that of excep-
toinal legislation relating to specific cases
Opposition from this quarter assumes that
the South is still not many degrees removed
from rebellion-that hostility to the autho-
rity of the Union prevails TO an extent which
renders the continuance of disabilities indis-
pensable In the next place, there are advo-
Gates of complete amnesty, who hold that
the time has come when the last vestiges of
the Rebellion may safely be removed. In
support of this idea it is contended that re-
construction has brought the South into the
full fellowship of the Union. and that all
causes of animosity and irritation should
be obliterated. Among these causes, it is
alleged, the maintenance OF disabilities is
especially prominent, and their total and
immediate removal is demanded as peace
offering no less than as an act of justice.
Lastly, there is a class strong by reason of
intellect and character, which insists that
the Republican party is pledged to as perfect
a measure of amnesty as present circum-
stances render expedient. The members of
this class object to unqualified amnesty as
undesirable, and to the postponemert of all
amnesty as unjust, and contend that the
country is now prepared for measure which
shall limit disabilities to very small circle.
Mr.. Bingham, who is a fair representative of
this class, declares that the proposition which
he and those who act with him are prepared
to support would limit the operation of the
disabilities imposed under the fourteenth
amendment to some two hundred persons
only. That would bring us near enough to
general amnesty to satisfy the generous in
stincts of the people and fulfil the promise of
the Republican party, and at the same time
would provide for the exclusion from public
offices of those on whom mainly rests the
responsibility of organizing the Rebellion.
General Butler g bill, the immediate occa-
sion of the debate in the House, does not
commend itself to the favor of anv of the
classes we have enumerated. 1t goes too far
for some-not far enough for others. 1t con-
cedes the desirableness of amnesty; yet is so
loaded down with exceptions as to render 1t a
blow in disguise. 1t makes amnesty pre-
text for interrupting the course of Justice
for stepping into courts, staying suits in pro-
gress, and denying to private citizens that
redress for wrongs which the Constitution
guarantees. So many influences are Just now
at work, governing the action of individual
members, that it is not easy to say in advance
what combinations may not effect for Gene
raj Buffers plan.
The extremists on either side occupy very
weak ground. The unyielding opponents of
amnesty are as unwise as it's uncompromising
champions The middle course is that which
is most consistent with the public interests.
Mr.. Bingham's amendment to General But
ler's bill relieves all on whom disabilities
are imposed by the fourteenth amendment,
except those who were officers of the United
States in 1860 or 1861, and those who in vic.
lation of that amendment have held Office
since the first of June last. The effect
would be to render eligible for public service
all but an intinitesimal proportion of the
Southern people, the excepted persons being
those to whom the odium of encouraging and
organizing the Rebellion more particularly
attaches.
1t is not easy to discover In an amnesty
which is at once SO nearly complete as to sat
isfy the national sense of justice, and sc
carefully qualified as to exclude probable
causes of offense and evil any real peril to
public interests. Sooner or later such 6
measure must come-why May it not be en-
acted now The recent constitutional amend
ments have secured byond the reach of pro
bable accident the guarantees required to per
petuate the foundation of Southern recon
struction, and the national sentiment may bt
relied upon to take care of the rest. More
over, Republican majorities in the States
most familiar with disabilities have, one aftel
another, almost entirely abolished them. Tht
testimony thus supplied is conclusive as tC
| the undesirableness of the disabilities Owe
which the States most familiar with the work
| ing of the Rebel spirit retained control Th
example thus afforded should not be withou
effect upon the action of Congress in refer
ence to the penalties which 1t alone cal
| abolish.