The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-11-07
AMNESTY ALL THE TINE.

AMNESTY ALL The TINE.
In his messages he has throughout emphasized
the question of amnesty, appealin, to his friends
in Congress and to he Northern people in the
strongest and most direct language to hasten
the bestowal of that cherished boon upon the
late Confederates: and to his persistent efforts
in private and public councils to be credited the
final passage of the general amnesty law at the
last session of Congress. Read his appeal in
his last message, observing as you will, that it
is in spirit and substance the same generous ar
gument which he advanced soon after the sur
render, when others were demanding trials for
treason, and punishment in chains or upon the
seaffold.
s'More than six years having elapsed since the
last hostile gun was fired between the armies
then arrayed against each other-one for per-
petuaticn, the other for the destruction Of the
rUnion-it may be well considered whether it is
not now time that the disabilities imposed by the
fourteenth amendment should be removed. That
amendment does not exclude the ballot, but only
imposes the disability to hold offices upon certain
classes.
Il do not see the advantage or propriety of ex-
GLIDING men from Office merely because they
were, before the rebellion, of standing and char
acter sufficient to be elected to positions requir
ing them to take oaths to support the Constitu-
ton, and admitting to eligibility those entertain
ing precisely the same views but of less standing
in their communities. 1t may be said that the
former violated oath, while the latter did not.
The latter did not have it in their power to do
so. If they had taken this oath it cannot be
doubted they would have broken it as did the
former class. .s
It will be happy condition of the country
when the old citizens of tn se States 1.-THE South
mitigate ideas honestly entertained, vote for men
representing their views, and tolerate the same
freedom of expression aad ballot in those enter
tanning different political convictions"
AN APPEAL FOR VIRGINIA.
The Old Dominion, the mother OF Presidents,
was one Of the first States to receive President
Grants assistance In the first month of his ad-
ministraton he urged upon Congress her claims
in special message, from which the following
is taken H4t ~.
.sWhile am aware that the time in which Con-
gress now proposes to remain in session is very
brief, and that it is its desire, far is consis
tent with the public interest, Ito avoid entering
upon the general business of legislation. there is
one subject which concerns deeply the welfare
Of the country that deem it my duty to bring it
before YOU. X The Con-
vention of the people of Virginia, which met in
Richmond on Tuesday, December 8, 1867, framed
a constitution for that State, which was adopted
by the Convention on the 18th of April, 1868, and
desire respectfully to call the attention of Con-
gress the propriety of providing by law for the
holding of an election in that State at some time
during the months of May and June next, under
the direction Of the military commander of that
district, at which the question Of the adoption Of
that constitution shall be submitted to the citi-
zens Of the State and if this should seem desir,
able, would recommend that separate vote be
taken upon such parts as may be thought expe
dient, and that at the same time and under the
same authority, there shall be an election for tn
officers provided under such constitution, or such
parts thereof, as shall have been adopted by the
reople. he submitted to Congress on the first Mon
day Il December neAt for It's consideration, SO
that if the same is then approved, the necessary
steps will have been taken for the restoration Of
the State Of Virginia to it's proper relations 10 the
Union. am I'D TO mase this reeomm sadatioa