The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-02-08
Amnesty.

In the Senate few DAYS ago Sena-
tor Schurz made an elaborate speech
in favor of universal amnesty. He
said that he had at first intended to
vote for the House bill without amend
ment, expecting that it would be
promptly passed, but the bill having
been amended in one particular, it
must now go back to the House, and,
therefore, there was no longer any
reason for refraining from an attempt
to make it apply to all classes labor
ing under political disabilities at the
South. The Senator from South Car
olina MIR. Robertson) had given no.
tiee that he would move to strike out
the exceptions, and but for this he
(Schurz) would make that motion, be-
lieving that the reasons which make
it desirable that there should be an
amnesty granted at all, make it desir-
able that amnesty should be univer-
sal. The wickedness and terrible con-
sequences of the rebellion had been
adduced by Mr.. Morton and others
as reason against Amnesty, but, if
the rebellion had been still more wick
ed and its consequences still more ter
AAOkOt liz \0CA01EJ OOAA0 AO1 RC1 HI y
himself to forget that in dealing with
this question Congress had to deal
not with the past but with the pres
ent and with the future interests of
the South, and of the whole country.
However Senators might differ as to
the means, he assumed that they were
agreed as TO the supreme end and aim,
they should have in view, to secure
to all States the blessing of good and
free government and the highest de-
gree of prosperity and well being they
can attain, and revive in all citizens of
the Republic that love for the nation,
and its institutions, and that inspir-
ing consciousness of common nation
ality, which should bind all Ameri-
cans together. This being the end,
no one would say that it had been at
tanned, or even that the policy pursu-
ed hitherto had attended to its attain
ment. Some of the Southern States,
governed by combination of rascality
and ignorance, were. in a condition
bordering on anarchy, as a result, to
some extent at least, of that unwise
policy. The first step~at the close of
the war was necessarily to secure the
freedom and rights of emancipated
blacks, but the next step should have
been to secure guarantees for a good
and honest Government at the South.
He would be the last to cast slur on
colored people in the South. Their
moderation and general good conduct
was unexampled in history. But it
was not reasonable to expect that just
after emerging from slavery, they
should step into the political arena
armed with the intelligence necessary
for the management of public affairs.
When ignorance and inexperience
were admitted to so largely influence
them, they ought to have been regu-
lated by the admission of a counter
balancing result. Experience had
shown that the system of disabilities
did not serve in any way or measure
10 protect any body in his rights of
life, liberty, or property, and, there
fore, it was the duty of Congress to
acknowledge its mistake, and place
men of character and ability at the
South in a position where they, could
again take part in the management of
affairs. He had heard it said that
many of the late rebels did not de-
serve amnesty. Perhaps not, but was
not the welfare of the country a far
more important consideration A
Senator had asked whether defauIters
should be punished and traitors allow
ed to go free-whether embezzlemeni
was greater crime than treason. That
was not the question. The question
was whether general amnesty to reb-
els was not more demanded by the
public good, than a general prosecu.
ton of thieves. A broad distinction
was always drawn between violations
of the law. in which political opinion
was controlling element, and crimes
implying moral depravity.
There were men now sitting in the
German Parliament, who, few year,
ago,were fugitives from justice. The,
had been admitted too, without beins
asked to abjure their former opinions
and most of them now belonged te
the liberal opposition. The Coun
Andrassy, condemned to death 1r
1849. was now at the head of the Ans
trian Ministry, and it was well knew
that the liberal amnesty granted tt
him had done much to attach Hunoa
ry to the Imperial crown.
Again, it was argued that certain
men should be excepted from amnes
ty because they had been educated b,
the United States government, anc
| had deserted its service. But the rnl,
had been violated by the appoint
ment to Office of one of the most con
spicuous of this class-General Long
street. In the discussion of this cues
ton in the Senate, so much had beer
heard about the wickedness of tn,
rebellion as reason against amnesty
that the question was suggested
whether the argument comprised tn,
whole political wisdom and virtue o
those who used it, and whether W,
were to keep the Southern States il
their present condition solely for tn,
purpose of keeping them on the sid,
of our enemies, and demonstratins
again and again our disapprobation O
the rebellion. The people were be
coming aware that great as the crim
of rebellion is, there are other villain
les which imperatively demand cor
rection. The were beginning to lool
behind these vociferous assertions O
austere patriotism to see what abuse
they are intended to disguise; and t,
discover that good and honest govern
ment in the South, as well as all owe
the country, would do infinitely NOR
to revive true loyalty and a health,
national spirit, than laws to keep aliv
the prejudices and resentments of tn
past.
Mr.. Schurz said he would not re
ply at length to Mr. Nye's speech, bu
he would notice one remark-hi
} boast that he was to the manor borr
and that, therefore, he must knoy
more of Republican institutions tha
those who were not. He wished tn
Senator from Nevada to understan
that adopted citizens would Judge, fo
themselves. They had come her
with the desire to enjoy the blessing
of republican institutions and thei
desire to maintain them was by n
: means less than that of his native cit
Zens, and if the Senator thought the
must follow his lead in order to b
entitled to the rights of citizenship
) he was very much mistaken. 81
(Schurz) had attempted to learn some
, thing about Republican institution
- r. .