New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-11-10
TIE PLEA FOR AMNESTY.

Six years and half having elapsed since
the last shot was fired in behalf of Secession
and Southern Confederation, the plea for
complete Amnesty, which was at first feeble
and intermittent, has gradually swelled into
majestic, persistent demand And it is morally
certain that it will widen and deepen until its
aim is accomplished
Congress will doubtless act on the subject
early in the session now at hand. Indeed,
since Gen. Butler has become mover and
champion of Amnesty, there can be no room
for argument as to its expediency-no further
doubt that the time has fully come. The
only question regards its fullness or Partially
the Justice and wisdom of relieving all
rather than a part of the proscripts from their
existing disabilities. 1t is on this point that
we ask to be heard.
Senator Morton, in q speech at ST. Louis last
Summer, indicated his readiness to support
measure of General but not of Universal Am
nesty. He would except those who had held
certain prominent positions, first under the
Union, then under the Confederacy. All but
these, he stood ready to restore to every priv
ilege of American citizenship; these, he would
never hencefOrth permit to take seat in
Congress or hold certain other exalted stations.
We must regard this as reminding US rather
of the pouting of an angry child than the calm
decision of veteran statesman. Must not all
realize that the distinction is purely arbitrary
and factitious2 THAT many of the earliest,
most effective, most virulent Rebels will glide
easily through the meshes of the Senator's net,
while others, whose adhesion to the COnfed-
eracy was tardy and constrained, will be
caught and held by themi Almost any intel
ligent citizen is personally cognizant of cases
wherein the Senator's rule would prescribe the
less culpable and enfranchise the relatively
guilty.
We have rendered. and shall continue to
render, hearty support to the vigorous
measures deemed essential by the President to
the suppression of the Ku-Klux and their das-
tardly midnight Outrages. No doubt, injustice
and hardship will be inflicted and suffered in
the course of such suppression but the right
of quiet citizens, however humble, to protection
and security in their homes must be vim
dicated. Should further grants of power to
the Executive be needed, those grants
will not be withheld, until the very last Of
the masquerading villains shall have been con-
signed to barred cell OF forced to seek safety
in flight At whatever cost, by whatever
necessary means, the whipping and manning
of peaceful tillers of the soil by midnight
raiders must be not merely arrested but ended.
We want no amnesty for crimes 80 cruel and
cowardly as theirs
But the Rebellion is thing of the past. Its
armies have surrendered. Its plotters are
mainly dead or powerless wanderers over the
earth. Its melting cause, Slavery, is vague
"Reminiscences. Its generals are building or run
ming railroads; the ablest survivor of them is O
surveyor of customs; its Chief is president of an
insurance company; its Vice-President devotes
himself to running newspapers by writing
nine-column leaders. LET us have peace"
Prescription, unwisely persisted In, made
Virginia Democratic State. West Virginia
ditto. Missouri Temporarily ditto The Re-
publicans rule four to six fewer States, and
have ten to fifteen fewer representatives in
Congress, because of it. They may possibly
spare as many more; but to what good endf
We pray that two bites be not made Of the
cherry. Either remove the disabilities Of all
now ineligible to Office. or of none. For par
tial enfranchisement will only intensity the
demand for a measure of Amnesty which
leaves no pretext for seeking another. Let
the year 1872 be ushered IN with rejoicings
that the bloody, hateful Past is forgotten, and
that every native or naturalized citizen, White
or BLACK, high or low, once rebel or always
loyal, viii henceforth know the Union as no
harsh step-mother, no vengeful jailer, but as
the generous, loving, trusting guardian and
protector even of her once wayward, hostile
children.