The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-04-19
THE AMNESTY ACT.

has passed what it is pleased TO
call an amnesty Act and there
is a strong probability ofits passing
the Senate before the adjournment
of Congress. 1t lisa act to reiieVe
certain persons from. the dlsablil-
ties imposed by the 14th Amend
ment to the Constitution, and VIII
have effect only on condition OF
receiving two-thirds majority OF
both houses. The majority in the
House was largely in excess OF a
two-thirds vote.
But Radical malignity has not
vet been softened to the point OF
conceding political equality to all
the people of the Southern States
The bill we speak of excerpts from
its operations those who have been
members OF Congress, West Point
and Annapolis graduates, and the
sieners of the State ordinances OF
Secession. The reasons for these
exceptions are plain enough al
though the reasonableness OF them
is difficult to see except to those
who look through Radical specta-
cles. If members of Congress
should be relieved: then some OF
the very Senators who lett the
Senate when their States seeded,
might be sent back to sit along
with Sumner and Trumbull and
Cameron, an offense not to be tot
Grated by loyal men in this genera
alton. West Point and Annapolis
graduates are supposed to be the
recipients of the charity OF 1.-THE Fed
eral government, although North
ern statesmen overlook the fact
that the Southern States also con-
t1ibuted more than their share OF
the money for the education OF the
national cadets. OF course, the
siener of an ordinance of secession
is a veritable Polyphemus, who, II
} entrusted with office might swal
, low alive some of his ultra Loyal
associates without stopping to en-
, ouire who is entitled to the favor
of being the last to be devoured.
But, in devising the means tt
prescribe these particular classes
the Radical shaft has fallen ia
short of it's mark. There are bu
: few ex-members ofCongress in an.
of the Southern States, and conse
S uuently in this class but a SINAI
number will be affected by the Ac1
While we have many signers of ST
: cession ordinances, and many graz
I yates Of the military Academy, "
we will venture the assertion thu
but few of them hare any disabil
= ties to remote, and, therefore, the,
are but few in these two classe
+ who have to fear anything fro
~, the illiberality of Buffers atfecte
N generosity. 1t will be remembe
- ed that the 14th Amendment pr
~ hibits from holding State or Fe
h. eral office those who, before Il
u war held an Executive, Judicial
n Legislative Office, who as such TOT
m an oath to support the Constitute
a OF the United States, and who
ct forwards gave aid and comfort
ne the rebellion Take for instan
Ia. our own State Convention. \
,er can recall several members wi
M like Governor Mouton and Jud
ST. Perkins, have held State and FL
eral offices and whose disabilit
are, therefore, not removed by
of new bill. But the majority Of tn
eir never held any Office before
nd war and labor under no disabil
de" tie be removed. To go no furt
the than our own parish, of the +
mi delegates only one has any d
res bility resting upon him. Mr.. I
,ev- ada, having been q member OF
ak Legislature and having aided
ent rebellion, cannot hold office
ons that the Butler bill keeps the 81
tied ers of the ordinance still under
die But neither Mr.. Elgee, Judge N
Jni- ming nor Mr.. Smart ever held o
rein before the war and, therefore,
e or er incurred any disability under
dge 18th Amendment or under
citi- other Amendment. So that, if
Elgee were alive, although he S
ed the ordinance of secession
are dethroned the Pelican to make
con- for secession flag, there is not
hlch in the Constitution or the 81
and bill to prevent his being appoi
re- to Judgeship of the SUPP