The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1872-03-28
TIE OTTUMWA COURIER
svaHUH or snNAToR wRYoJsr.

z. 8. WARDHN, Adits,:
svHHUH OF SENATOR WRIGHT.
During the discussion, in the United
states Senate, upon the French Arms
question. our Senator Wright made
quite q lengthy speech. during which
he took occasion to speak briefly upon
the question Of General Amnesty.
His views. we deem, just and cor
reef upon this question. and he puts
thcm in such strong and emphatic Ian
2l,age, that we give an extract from his
remarks upon this subject. We en-
dorse every word he says.
Over q million of men voluntarily
left their peaceful homes, their cher
ished and beloved families and kind
rcd. their business, and risked their all
upon the vicissitudes of the tented
field, TO save government they and
the civilized world revered. Hundreds
Of thousands Of these men offered up
their lives thus voluntarily and never
returned. The world looked on,
amazed at their patriotism, at their
devotion to liberty. The cause Of
Freedom, by their example, advanced
century in four years. The really
responsible men for all this, were such
as JEFF. Davis, Toombs, Breckenridge,
Slidell, and others. Make these men
again eligible to seats in the United
States Senate, and perchance place one
or more Of them there, thing not im-
possible from the state Of society in
the South, were there no law prevent
ing. and the morale of the Nation
would be destroyed. We, or our chill
dren would look in vain for even
glimmer of that grand self-devotion
to which we have alluded, in the conn-
try's next extremity, should that
dreaded hour overcome.
We feel impressed with the conyic-
ton that if this government ever
clothes Jefferson Davis, and scores of
others like him, with the full habiii-
ments of an American citizen, il viii
be the gravest error ever committed
by us as nation, and which the his
tory of the country. soon thereafter,
would most painfully demonstrate.
Mercy, forgiveness, are noble. grand
attributes: bcstow them freely, give
them the broadcast humanitarian limit.
but in SO doing remember the impcr-
fections of this world. and that the
time has not come when punishment.
when restraint, can be dispensed with :
which is not only for the victim. hut
is also lesson 10 society at large.
We are glad to see Senator Wright
take such a strong position upon this
subject. Hear him:
For myself. ] may say IN passing.
that while would vote for the civil
rights bill, amended as 1 doubt NOT 1t
might and would be without impair-
ing its force and purpose, viii not
vote for either general or universal
amnesty. My reasons for this vote ii
is perhaps not appropriate that 1 sho'd
state al this time; and yet in view Of
the character of this discussion. and on.
pccially after what was said on Friday
last by the distinguished Senator from
Illinois (Mr. TrambulD and Yesterday
by the distinguished Senator from Ne
vada (Mr. Nye), may be pardoned for
one word in this connection.
This, Mr.. President, is Government
of justice as well as mercy. II Is as
essential to its great future power aud
stability that it shall deal Justly as that
it shall make haste with its mantle of
charity to cover up or blot out the last
legal vestige of the most enormous
crime of -thiS-arZa.A y-Asxa liz tl,aa
rules the destinies of nations and en-
piles. as well as individuals, maintains
His sovereignty by His power and at
tribute Of justice as much as by Ills
mercy. The nation i'm initiating this
divine rule cannot well err. Then. too.
as no one would think by single en-
actment of opening the prison doors OF
the nation aud States, and permitting
all criminals, those guilty of the high
est felonies as well as the most incOn-
siderable misdemeanors. to 60 free,
neither would l, by statute having u
general or universal operation. restore
those seeking to take the life of this
nation in the face of their most solemn
sworn obligations, thus adding perjury
to the greater crime of treason, to all
the rights and privileges of the most
loyal or patriotic. We certainly wo'd
not grant pardon to the individual
guilty of crimes the most common.
without some evidence of repentance.
or that he had already suffered the
punishment due his ofiense. or that
some good would result therefiOm TO
the State. Why apply different rule
to rebels! Applying it, confess l do
not see upon what principle amnesty
1-can be justified. And ii amnesty Is
right, it must be so because il is bot
toned upon some principle. There is
no evidence of the requisite repentance.
By no argument can it be maintained
that the mere disqualification to hold
Office is too severe for such crimes MS
rest upon the souls OF these men. And
as to the public good, confess l do
not see how the morals of the nation.
the general welfare and safety, how a
brighter future and stronger Union
can be secured or guaranteed by max
ing them eligible TO Office.
My belief is that each criminal yio-
lating his oath and guilty of treason.
should come as other criminals do, and
in person and for himself beseech the
clemency of the Government. He
will thus be lead to appreciate the
value of the gift, to recognize the
power and mercy of the Government.
and his obligations in the future. The
suggestion that this would be hum
bling to the pride of these men, aud
by possibility unbecoming, in their
own estimation or that of their friends
to those once in the high positions Of
the government OF the confederaey.
has with me but little weight, since /
confess l am not particularly anxious
TO spare their pride, having much more
regard for the rights, dignity, and
future power and glory Of the nation
and thinking. rs l trust ALWAYS shall.
more of the unequaled sacrifices Of n
brave soldiery than the Landed sensi-
tive natures of rebels once i'm arms
against them. and as believe still UNI
repentant.
No, Mr.. President. without extend
ing the argument at this time, / mist
nc allowed to say, speaking for myself
alone, and using here, perhaps. almost
the Language of another, that while the
time may come in the history of this
nation when We shall utter the names
OF traitors aud loyal men in the same
connecuon with scarcely thought of