Today, the Stone Mountain Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin remembers the sentiment shared by General Lee, 151 years ago, regarding the amnesty proclamations by President Johnson.
From the Documentary History of Reconstruction by Walter Lynwood Fleming, published in 1906, a letter written by General Robert E. Lee:
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To Captain Josiah Tatnall, September 7, 1865.
Like yourself, I have, since the cessation of hostilities, advised all with whom I have conversed on the subject, who come within the terms of the President’s proclamations, to take the oath of allegiance, and accept in good faith the amnesty offered.
But I have gone further, and have recommended to those who were excluded from their benefits, to make application under the proviso of the proclamation of the 29th of May, to be embraced in its provisions.
Both classes, in order to be restored to their former rights and privileges, were required to perform a certain act, and I do not see that an acknowledgment of fault is expressed in one more than in the other.
The war being at an end, the Southern States having laid down their arms, and the questions at issue between them and the Northern States having been decided, I believe it to be the duty of everyone to unite in the restoration of the country, and the reestablishment of peace and harmony.
These considerations governed me in the counsels I gave to others, and induced me on the 13th of June to make application to be included in the terms of the amnesty proclamation.
I have not received an answer, and cannot inform you what has been the decision of the President.
But, whatever that may be, I do not see how the course I have recommended and practiced can prove detrimental to the former President of the Confederate States.
It appears to me that the allayment of passion, the dissipation of prejudice, and the restoration of reason, will alone enable the people of the country to acquire a true knowledge and form a correct judgment of the events of the past four years.
It will, I think, be admitted that Mr. Davis has done nothing more than all the citizens of the Southern States, and should not be held accountable for acts performed by them in the exercise of what had been considered by them unquestionable right.
I have too exalted an opinion of the American people to believe that they will consent to injustice; and it is only necessary, in my opinion, that truth should be known, for the rights of every one to be secured.
I know of no surer way of eliciting the truth than by burying contention with the war.
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Three years later, President Johnson declared a Universal Amnesty Proclamation.
From the Historical Sketch of the War of the Rebellion by Edgar A. Werner, published in 1890:
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THE UNIVERSAL AMNESTY PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The President of the United States has heretofore set forth several proclamations, offered amnesty and pardon to persons who had been or were concerned in the late rebellion against the lawful authority of the United States, which proclamations were severally issued on the 8th day of December, 1863, on the 26th day of March, 1864, on the 29th day of March, 1865, on the 7th day of September, 1867, and on the 4th day of July, in the present year; and
WHEREAS, The authority of the Federal Government having been re-established in all the States and Territories within the jurisdiction of the United States, it is believed that such prudential reservations and exceptions as, at the dates of said several proclamations, were deemed necessary and proper may now be wisely and justly relinquished, and that a universal amnesty and pardon for participation in said rebellion, extended to all who have borne any part therein, will tend to secure permanent peace, order and prosperity throughout the land, and to renew and fully restore confidence and fraternal feeling among the whole people, and their respect for and attachment to the National Government, designed by its patriotic founders for the general good.
Now, therefore, be it known that I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested by the Constitution, and in the name of the sovereign people of the United States, do hereby proclaim and declare unconditionally and without reservation, to all and to every person who directly or indirectly participated in the late insurrection or rebellion a full pardon and amnesty for the offense of treason against the United States, or of adhering to their enemies during the late civil war with restoration of rights, privileges and immunities under the Constitution and the laws which have been made in pursuance thereof.
In testimony whereof I have signed these presents with my hand and have caused the seal of the United States to be here unto affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, the twenty-fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, and of the independence of United States of America the ninety-third.
(Signed) ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President:
F. W. SEWARD, Acting Secretary of State.
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The Stone Mountain Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin shows with an artist’s image of President Johnson pardoning Rebels at the White House.
