The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-22

""s"A"' 'AP"sicnco a. quuIautiuo tIceh. Al
every pretended oppression it is the law that
is to blame aud not the persons who enforce it.
Amnesty Bill Of the Reconstruction Conn
mittee.
An important feature of yesterdays pro-
ceedings in Congress was the Amnesty bill
reported by General Butler from the Commit
tee on Reconstruction. 1t, is called general
amnesty bill and opens with good deal of
imposing and gracious phraseology. 1t Is
very Butler-like in this respect The words
are ''full and general grace, amnesty and
oblivion of certain wrongful acts" in the rebel
lion with full restoration of rights" and so
forth. This reads like noble and benevolent
act so far. But there is sting behind.
There are numerous exceptions provided for,
and these embrace most of the men of superior
Intelligence in the South. Those who were
educated at the Military Academy at West
Point or the Naval Academy at Annapo-
Liz, and were engaged in the rebellion,
are excluded from the amnesty, as
well as those rebels who had been
members Of either house of Congress
and who were afterwards members of the Con-
federate Congress-, together with those who
had been at the head of any executive depart
ments of the government, Ministers abroad,
judges Of any court under the United States,
and who afterwards held like offices under
the Confederate government. Also those who
voted for or signed any ordinance of seces-
sion; the Governors of rebelious States, and
all who while in the service of the Confederate
States treated with cruelty or otherwise than
according to the usages Of war any prisoner
of war; those officers who embezzled or
turned over the money or property Of the
United States to the rebels; all deserters
and bounty jumpers as well as all lands
taken for cemeteries for Union soldiers, or
that had changed hands by process of judg-
ment or been confiscated by the United States.
This bill will relieve, no doubt, great
number Of Southerners from the disabilities
they now suffer, and 80 far it is good
measure. 1t is long step in the right direc-
ton. But why not make clean thing of
amnesty and reconstruction Punishment
should not be vindictive. The object should be
only to prevent crime. Now, no one imagnes
there would be any danger in granting amnesty
to the classes excluded by General Buffers
bill. They are utterly powerless for evil.
There cannot be another rebellion. Besides, 1t
is evident they are thoroughly cured of the
secession heresy and rebelliOus disposition.
Then, many of the people embraced In this
excluded list are and will be still most efficient
in sustaining order, in support Of the govern
ment and in the restoration of the material
interests and social well being of the South.
general amnesty in fact as well as in name
would be magnanimous and the best policy for
the government to pursue. No party political
ends can be served by continuing these disa-
bilities. The mass of the Northern people
desire to see an end of them and the complete
restoration of the South. Let the past be
buried in oblivion, and let the people of both
sections be as brothers working together for
the common good and the glorious future of a
restored and reunited republic. We commend
these suggestions to General Butler and to
Congress, and hope that either he or some
other member will propose an amendment to
the committees report to give in reality COM
plete amnesty to the South.