Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-01-27
New State Government..Hmpo
Proclamation Of Gem. Banks,
HEADQUARTERS DEPT OF THE GULF,
Nrw 0pruANc Jont1arv IL

Proclamation OF Gaem. Banks.
HEADQUARTERS DRP'T OF THE GULF,1
New ORLEANS, January IL. J
To the People Of Louisiana:
/. In pursuance Of authority vested in me
by the President of the United States, and
upon consultation with many representa-
tive men of different interests, being fully
assured that more than atenth OF the popu-
lation desire the earliest possible restoration
Of Louisiana to the Union, invite the loyal
citizens of the State qualified to vote In
public affairs, as hereinafter prescribed, to
assemble in the election precincts lesig-
mated by law, OF at such places as may here
after be established, on the 22d day of Feb
tion of State officers herein named, viz:
/, Governor; 2, Lieutenant-G Governor; !,
Secretary of State; a, Treasurer; 3, Attor-
ney-General; G, Superintendent of Public
Instruction; z, Auditor of Public Accounts;
who shall when elected, for the time being,
and until others are appointed by compe-
tent authority, constitute the civil govern
ment of the State, under the constitution
and laws of Louisiana, except so much OF
the said constitution and laws as recognize,
regulate or relate to slavery, which being
inconsistent with the present condition OF
public affairs, and plainly inapplicable to
any class of persons now existing, within
its limits, must be suspended, and they are
hereby declared imperative and void. This
proceeding is not intended to ignore the
right of property existing prior to the re-
/ bellion, nor to preclude the claim for COM
pensation of loyal citizens for losses sus-.
tanned by enlistments or other authorized
acts of the government.
2. The oath of allegiance prescribed by
the Presidents proclamation, with the con-
dition affixed to the elective franchise by
the Constitution of Louisiana, will consti-
tute the qualification Of voters In this cleo
tion. Officers elected by them will be duly
installed in their offices on the 4th day oi
March, 1854.
8. The registration of voters, effected un-
der the direction of the military Governor
, and the several Union associations, not in
, consistent with the proclamation or Other
orders of the President, are confirmed anC
approved.
4. In order that the organic law of thu
State may be made to conform to the will o
the people and harmonize with the spirit o.
the age, as well as to maintain and preserve
the ancient landmarks of civil and religious
liberty, an election of delegates to the con
\ vention fer the revision of the Constitution
will be held ON the first Monday of April
1864. The basis of representation, the mum
ber of delegates, and the details of election
will be announced in subsequent orders.
5. Arrangements will be made for tn,
early election of members of Congress fo
the State.
6. The fundamental law of the State !
martial law. 1t is competent and just for tn
: Government to surrender to the people, a
the earliest possible moment, so much o
military power as may be consistent will
military operations; to prepare the way, by
prompt and wise measures for the full res
toration of the State to the Union and it
n power to the people; to restore their an
cient and unsurpassed prosperity; to en
large the scope of agricultural and com
/ mercial industry, and to extend and co.
firm the dominion of rational liberty. l
z is not within human power to accomplish
! these results without some sacrifice of indi
I yidual prejudices and interests. Problem
| of State, too complicate for the human
mind, have been solved by the national can
non. In great civil convulsions the agOn,
I of strife enters the souls of the innocent a
! well as the guilty. The Government is sub
ject to the law of necessity, and must con
suit the condition of things, rather thai
the preferences of men; and if so be tina
2 its purposes are Just and its measures wise
it has the right to demand that the ques
| tions of personal interest and opinion shal
be subordinate to the public good. Whel
the national existence is at stake and tn
liberties of the people in peril faction
treason.
The methods herein proposed submit tn
whole question of government directly +
the people-first, by the election of eXecu
tive officers, faithful to the Union, to be TO
lowed by loyal representation in bot
! Houses of Congress-and then by a conven
: tion which will confirm the action of tn
people, and recognize the principles of free
dom in the organic law. This is the wis
of the President. The anniversary of Wash
ington's birth is a fit day for the commence
ment of so great work. The immOrta
Father of his Country was never guided b,
more Just and benignant spirit than tina
of his successor in office, the President O
l the United States. In the hour of our tria
let us heed his admonitions! -
Louisiana, in the opening of her history
sealed the integrity of the Union by con
\ ferring upon its Government the valley c
the Mississippi. In the war for indeperd
!. ence, upon the sea, she crowned a gloriou
struggle against the first maritime powe
{, of the world by a. victory unsurpassed i
!, the annals of war. Let her people no'
! announce to the world the coming restors
q tion of the Union, in which the ages tbs
. follOwrus have a deeper interest than on
!, own, by the organization of free Govern
! ment, and her fame will be immortal!
n