The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-02-10
[From the Sunday Times (Londor), Jan. 1871
AMNESTY.
What England Thinks About Il.
CLEMENcY OF TIE NORTH.

The House OF Representatives at Washing
ton lately appeared to emulate the Assembly
ut Versailles In France we expect to see tur-
bulent scenes where politics aae discussed, but
our cousins across the Atlantic are, in general.
not so excitable rs our neigbors across the
Channel. We are, therefore. all the more sur
prised to hear of the stormy debate in the
House OF Representatives, on the proposal to
reinstate the DISTINGUISHED Confederates in
their political rights. Such, however, was the
nature of the question discussed in Congress,
that any one ght have anticipated the bitter
feeling expressed on both sides. There is still
a feeling of auimosty existing between the
North and South, and when such measure
was introduced into Congress it is no wonder
that it created stormy discussion The Won
der is that the debate on the bill was not more
excited than it was, when we consider that the
Northerners still remember the terrible st.ug-
gle with the Southern Confederacy. The pro-
posal of pardon was agreed to BIZ a large ma
iority of the House of Representatives, but as
the Constitution of the United States REQUIRES
majority OF two thirds, the bill was rejected
The promoters Of the bill promise to introduce
it again, and it has altogether created collsid-
cradle excitement in America. The North. il
must be confessed, have dealt with exceeding
clemency towards the South The conouerors
have not retaiiated upon the conquered. Mr..
jefferson Davis. although imprisoned for some
General Lee, the commander-in-chiefo Of the
Confederate army, died a professor at a mill
tary academy. These men, one of whom had
been President of the Southern Confederacy.
and the other, who had been its most distin-
gllished general. were not punished as rebels
are in other countries. The cemency shown
towards them was chiefly due to the generous
spirit and wise Craftsmanship of Andrew john
son, who was far more moderate in his views
than Abraham Lincoln when he succeeded him
in the Presidency. 70 the credit Of the North
it must be said. that when it had conquered the
South, it did not impose any terrible penalties
on the men who were called ''rebeis.'' In
other countries those ''reAels'' would have been
formally tried for high treason and executed;
but it was not SO in America In this leniency,
and this desire 20 forgive, there is something
which is unprecedented in history. After all
this we cannot but admire the American char
acter, much as we may object to many os their
peculiarities as a people. But they have given
the world an example of the noblest form of
Christian charity in forgiving their enemies
after they had fallen. There is in this country,
as We all know, great deal of contemptuous
talk about the Yankees and those who i'll
dulge Ill it forget the near relationship between
the yankees" and ourselves. ENceptin Eng
land. the conquered Southerners would not
have been treated SO mercifnlly in any other
country, and we see in the clemency shown to-
wards them the calm spirit and enlightened
Judgment of the English race. In France, for
instance, Mr. Jefferson Davis and General Lee
would have been speedily executed, and it was
fortunate for both That they lived in a country
where the English element predomiGates. If
Charles |. were convicted of high treason in
the present day. lie would, as a matter of
course, be deposed, but not beheaded We
have arrived at q eel tain state of civilization in
which it is not considered necessary that Blood
should be she'd as a punishment for Il political
offense. The Government at Washington
and we must say it to their credit-spa1ed the
lives OF all the Confederate prisoners. except
those who were guilty OF atrocities We all
know that in England the punishment for high
treason is death according to law. and still We
must bear in mind that it is i very long time
since the penalty has been Inflicted for such an
soifense.