Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-05-29
PRESIDENTS PROCLAMATION.
WAsHrssros. Nay 10, 1862.
Byfks Prssidszf Of kze Uaikd States Of
America.
4 PRocLkxArfoH.

PRocLAHAfIoE.
Wzsrsas, There sppears in the pub
Iic prints Whist purports to be q proels-
nation of Major General Hunter, in
the words and figures following, TO- wit:
HEADaUARrzEs DEp'r. OF rHr SourH,l
Hilton Head. s. O.. May 8. 'es. {
General Orders. No. n: The three
States of Georgia, Florida and South
Carolina, comprising the Military De-
|psrtnent Of the South, having delibeY-
stely declared themselves no longer nm
der the protection Of the United States
Of America. and having taken up arms
against the said United States, it be-
comes military necessity to declare
them under martial law. This was ae-
cordingly done on the 25th day Of
April, 1869. Slavery and martial law,
in free country, are altogether incom-
patible; the persons in these three
States, Georgia, Florida and South Car
olina heretofore held as slaves are
therefore declared forever free.
DAVID HUNTER,
Major General Commanding.
EDWARD W. SMITH,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
Whereas, The same is producing ex-
citement and Misunderstanding, there
fore, I. Abraham Lincoln, President OF
the United States. proclaim that the
Government OF the United States had
no knowledge, information or belief Of
an intention on the part of Gen. Hun
ter TO issue such proclamation; nor
has it yet any authentic information
that the document is genuine; and,
further, that neither Gen. Hunter, nor
any other commander or person has
been authorized by the Government Of
the United States 10 make q proclama-
ton declaring the slaves of any State
free, and that the supposed proclama-
ton now in question, whether genuine
or false, is altogether void, so far as re-
spects such declaration.
further make known that whether
it be competent for me. as Commander
in Chief of the army and navy, to de-
clare thatthe slaves of any State or States
are free. and whether at any time or
in any case il shall become q necessity
indispensable to the maintenance Of the
Government to exercise such supposed
power, are questions which, under my
responsibility, reserve to myself, and
which cannot feel justified in leaving
to the decision of commanders in the
field. These are totally different ques-
tons from those of police regulations in !
armies and camps.
On the 9th day Of March last. by
special message, recommended to
Congress the adoption sf joint reso-
luton, to be substantially as follows:
RESOLVED, That the United States
ought to cooperate with any State
which may adopt gradual adjustment
Of slavery, giving to such State pecuni-
airy aid to be used by such State, in its
discretion, to compensate for the incon-
veniences. public and private, produced
by such change of system.
The resolution in the language as
above quoted, was adopted by large
majorities in both branches Of Congress.
and now stands an authentic, definite
and solemn proposal of the nation to
the States and people most Immediately
interested in the subject matter.
To the people of those States l now
earnestly appeal. do not argue. !
beseech you to make the arguments for
yourselves. You cannot, If you would,
be blind to the signs Of the times. /
beg of you q calm and enlarged consid-
GRAFTON Of them, ranging, if it may be
far above personal and partisan politics.
This proposal makes common cause
for common object, casting NO re-
proaches upon any, It acts not the
Pharisee. The change it contemplates
would come gently as the dews of heav-
en-, not rending or wrecking anything. /
Will you not embrace it? So much
good has not been done by one effort in
all past time, as, in the providence of
God, it is now your high privilege to
do. May the vast future not have to
lament that you have neglected it!
In witness whereof l have hereunto
set my hand and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this
18th day Of May, in the year of our
Lord one fhousand eight hundred
and sixty-two. and ot the indepeud-
ence of the United States saa eighty
sixth.
Ry The President:
ABRAHLM LINCOLN.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of