The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-02-17


Six months. in advance. ce.................... ~
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dy; we have had him under indict-
ment, with all the information against
him that il now in the possession Of
the Government. Yet we did not press
his case to trial, still less to q convic-
ton. Sir, at this very desk where I
now stand, the counsel Of the Govern
ment of the United States in the pros-
ecution against jefferson Davis came
to me and advised me, as they advised
other Representatives from Massachu-
setts, that it was not wise for the Gov
ernment to proceed with tho trial in
that case. In the face of such . fact,
why shall we stand up here and mar
the great act of this century, that of
universal amnesty and peace, by ref
erence to the errors or crimes which
we may believe Davis to have COM
mitted?
The act Of amnesty, sir, is not mere
congressional act. 1t 10 not the act Of
Congress alsne it is the act Of great
people. 1t will stand in history as
the great event of this century. This
10 the fret time in the history Of tho
world that q great nation with it's mil
lions Of people, after having gone
through terrible struggle of civil
war, has risen in its majesty and said,
"Let those WHO have been the enemies
of the coutry be forgiven!" No re-
cord. no declaration on the part of any
government from the creation of the
werld will compare in its majesty aud
sublimity with his act If it shall be
passed. Re take this majestic declara-
ton of the people, denanded by them
aud believed by them to be just, aud
plaster it with citations and proofs
more Or less eonclusiye of crimes that
may be charged against any individu-
al 10 to afH
Blur the grace and glow
OF clemency; 10 take the rose
From the fair forehead of . GeIlike act.
And stick blister there.
[Applause.]
These crimes, these cruelties, these
atrocities which have been 20 constant
y named here are in the line Of crim-
inal procedure. This House 10 ne
place for their discussion, still less for
their adjudication, still less for the
verdict of truth and Justice upon them.
che penalty, il it shaltSbe enforced is
ineffably inadequate to the punishment
for the crime il it shall have been
found to be true. This is no place then,
sir, for its consideration. We must
leave it to ether tribunals we cannot
master it. But it is the place and this
the hour for that declaration in the
name Of the people of this country
that gives pardon, grace and amnesty
that seeks to draw the veil Of oblivion
over all the horrors of that terrible
contest through which we have tri-
umphantiy passed. hope gentlemen
on this side of the House, ~ well az
on the other, il they can
make bill that shall he at all adequate
to the expression of this idea, will
give their unanimous support to it. II
ought to come from the House of Rep.
resentatives in order to do justice to
he sentiment OF the people, and with
'uch unamity as to command the re-
'pect and admiratioa of the world.
hink it eau be so made and hope it
will be 60 done. 5
Mr.. Speaker, when the people Of
'ther nations visit as during the pres
mt year they will come to witness the
Of Republican govern
nent after the expiration of century.
they have said tor q long time that
70 republican government could en-
lure for great while that our own
ystem was very good one for such
nen IS Washington aud Franklin and
Adams and Jefferson, -ba. to give un-
'ridled liberty to the mass of the peo-
10 would make all stable or just gov
rnment absolutely and forever inn
ossible. They will come here to wit
ess the great achievements which
ave been brought about during this
eriod, remembering as they do, even
etter than ourselves, the events of
his great war, and to hear the shouts
t the close of this first grand centen-
~ Of our country of q whole people
! joyous scongratulation for the restor-
ton of peace and with it the restora-
on of prosperity, aud with both
Of hope in the hearts of op-
ressed nations elsewhere, for the ul-
mate and universal liberty Of the hu-
ian race.