Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-05-23
Ina preaidsnt,, Proclamation.

BY the President Of tho United Sta,ss. A
Proclamation.
Whereas. there sppcars In the public
prints what purpors TO be q proclamation
OF Gen. Hunter, On tho words and hsures,
10 Wit:
HEADQUARTERS DIr'r OF Sorru.
Hilton Head. s. u. hav .. 1862.
GkSxa.L ORptns No. l0.-The three
States Of Georsis. Florida and South Caro-.
iins. comprising the military department Of
the South. have deliberately declared them
selve- no longer under the protection Of the
United States Of America, and having taken
up arms against the said United States. u
becomes military Necessity 70 declare them
under marital lay. This was accordingly
done on the 2Sth day OF April. 1862. Slav.
cry and martial lav IN . Ira country. arr
altogether incompatible Tho psr-ons IN
thcs. three States, Georgia, Florida, and
SOUTH Carolina. heretofore held Nc slaves
are. therefore. declared forever Tree.
(Signed) DAVID HUNTER.
Major General Commanding.
I0uiciAL
EDWARD W. Sxiru.
Acting Assistant Adjatant General.
And. whereas. the sane Is producing some
excitement AMI Misunderstanding therefore.
!. Abraham Lincoln. President Of the United
States. Ia no know ledge or hcliei Of an IN.
tention on the part oi Gen. Hunter. Ia issue
such q proclamation, nor has u yet any
authentic information that the document IL
genuine. And further. that neither Gen.
Hunter. nor any other com mand,r or per.on.
has hecn authorized by the government Of
the United States. tol make PROCLAMATION
declaring the slaves Of any State ire. and
that the supposed proclamation nov in
question. whether genuine or false. Is alto.
eeiher void. 80 lar as respects such declara.
ton. l further make kno~n. that whether
!, h. competent Tor me. a Commander in
Chief Of the army and navy. 10 declare the
slave. Of any State or States free. and
whether nc any time ~ IN any ease. ~ shall
have bccomc Necessity. indispensable TO
the maintenance o' the government 10 c1sr.
ei.c such supposed power. are questions
which under my responsibility. ! rr.-r,c 20
myself. and which I cannot feel justified in
leaving e. the decision Of commander. ~ tho
field. Tie-c are totally different question.
from those Of polics regulation. IN armies
and camps. On tie 9Th day OF March. last,
by = special message. ! recommended 10 Con
rrc.- ,h. adoption 81 Jiint resolution. TO
bc substantially ne iollo~.
Roolr,d. That the United States ought
10 c. operate With any State which may
adopt gradual aholi.hmrntof slavery. gov.
ing IL such State N it, discretion e. CON.
p~n.itc for the Inconsistencies. public and
rr,,aic. produced nv such change Of system
tn. resolution 10 the language above
quoted. VAS adopted by large nspriii.- in
both hrancLc. Of Congress. and now stand.
an authentic. definite. and solemn rrpp-,l
e. the nation Of the Unit-d Statr., and poo
Dle most immediately Interested IN the sub
ret IL tho people Of thss, States nov
earnestly appeal ID M, argue. bc-rcch
YOU tu make the Argument for yourselves.
You cannot. " you would he blind % the
sign. oi the times hcs Of youa calm.
AMI enlarged consideration II them. ranging
u i, may -. Tar above p"r'onal ani p,r,''
an politics. Thi. proposal make. common
c,uss fora common .unlcci. casting no re.
pruache. upon any. |, act. no, the Phsri.
SEE. Toe change IL conismpla,o-, would
come gently a. the dew Of Heaven. no, rrnd.
ing or wr-ckins anything. Will You not
embrace ~ - much good ha. no, been
done by one sdor, IN all past tine. a. m the
Providence o, God. i, i,your high priv
lesr - To DO. May the vast future not have
% lament that you neglected 70.
In witnc,. whereof, have -"t my hand.
and caused the sal Of the United State.
90 Do aiFiri. Done AZ the CITY Of
Washington. this i9th day 81 May. in
the wear Of our Lori. 1862. and Of the
inicpyndsner OF the United States Ito
s6th.
(Srrusdl ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President
WV. o. sIw.sp. Secretary 0. State