Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-21
Rsnl raniz,tion in North Carolina.

The Provisional Governor Of North Carolina,
". W. Holden has entered upon his Office by is
suing Proclamation, in which, after reciting the
conditions OF his appointment, he announces
that "A Convention Of the people o the State will
be held 81 As early a period As practicable, To
DE- composed of the number OF members to which
The counties are respectively entitled in the House
of Commons Of the State Legislature. Nope
son will be a candidate fer the Convention, and
no person will vote tor members TO compose 1t
WHO shall not previously thereto have taken and
subscribed to the oath prescribed in the Procla-
nation Of the President Of the United States
dated May 2J,h lS65 But, no person not
well affected towards the Federal Government
and not loyal thereto, will he permitted TO take
said cath, or to vote 10 said election. How i.
10 be ascertainej whether persons are well Affect
ed towards the Government and loyal thereto,
except by the test of the oath prescribed by the
Presidenr. the Proclamation does not explain.
Nor do We perceive in the Proclamation Of the
President. appointing Mr.. Holden, any authority
given IN % prescribe any other test. There is
no earthly tribunal that can look into the con
sciences Of men and ascertain whether pledge
about 10 De given will be given honestly and
observed faithful y. All that can be done is 10
inhict the punishment denounced by law when it
shall be ascertained that PERJURY has been com
mittcd. Tie exception Is not 90 those who
are excluded from the benefits Of the Presidents
Amnesty Proclamation, for they are mentioned
ia another clause Of Governor Holden's Procla.
nation as not entitled 10 take the oath, save on
-. TN.
President
The Convention when il assemblies, the Procla-
nation goes ON TO say, will alter OF amend the
Constitution OF the State and will submit II as
altered or amended TO the voters Of the State for
their ratification or rejection. They will also
provide for the election OF a Governor and Iegis.
lature, which latter will elect two Senators in
Congress. In due time, an election will be or
dered for members OF the House Of Representa-
tines. The Governor further gives notice that
by virtue of the authority vested in him he will
appoint Justices OF the Peace for the various
counties, who will be authorized to appoint
Sherids and Clerks. He will also appoint judges
10 dispose Of criminal cases, and State Directors
and Proxies in the various corporations in which
the State Is interested.
The Governor eNhOrts the loyal people" OF
the State to resume with cheerfulpess and with
confidence in the future their accustomed pur
suits, assuring all loyal citizens Of the State"
that they will be protected in their persons and
property.
The following is his advice and warning to the
liberated slaves.
To the colOred people Of the State 1 would say.
you now are free. Providence has willed that the
very Ueans adopted 70 render your serVitude per
petual should be His instruments for releas ng
you from bondage. Il row remains for YOU aided
as you will be BY the superior intelligence Of the
white race, and cheered by the sympathies of
all good people, 70 decide whether tue freedom
thus suddenly bestowed upon you will De a bless
ing q you or source OF injIry. Your race has
been depressed by your condition Of slavery and
by the legislation OF your tJlmer masters tor two
hundred years. 10 IS not 20 be expected that Won
can comprehend and appreciate as they should be
COmprehended and appreciated by self-goyern.
ing people, the wise provisions and limitations OF
constitutions aud laws; OF that YOU can now have
that knowledge Of public anaiIs which is neces-
sary 10 qualify you . discharge ali the duties of
the citizen. No people has e5tr yet bounded at
once into the full enjoyment OF the tight of self
government. But you are free, in common with
all our people, and you have the same right reg.
ulated by law, that Others have 10 enter upon the
pursuit VI NANafIAAey anu RluGni. gu should
henceiorth sacre3ly observe the marriage rela.
ton, aud you should provide for your offspring.
You can now not only learn 20 read your.
selves, as some OF you have been able TO do
heretofore but you can instruct others and pro-
cure Instruction from Others for yourselves aud
your children without fear Of punishment. hut TO
be prosperous and happy you must labor not
merely when you feel Lac H. OF for u scanty sup
port but industriously and steadily, with view
10 making and laying up something for your
selves aud your families. II YOU are idle
you will become vicious and worthless
II vicious and worthless you will have no
friends and will at last perish. In the sweat
Of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread all the days
Of thy life The same Providence that has be-
bestowed freedom upon you has told you that
diligence in business is required Of all His crea-
lures and yOn cannot expect that your race will
escape Ultimate extinction n you wiiully violate
or disregard this, one OF His great commando
Freedom does not can that one may do as he
pleases, but that every OLe may, BY industry, fru
galiy and temperance, improve his condition