Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-10-21
By the Governor of West Va.
A PROCLAIM

IL L lOOOlIIl1hL II i IO1N.
NJ HEREAS, il is made known 10 me,
" Arthur |. BOreman, Governor Of the
Stale of Yves, Virginia, that evll-disposed
and sediiious persons in the county Of
Jefferson are endeavoring 10 inciIe the
people Of that county 10 a resistance and
violation of The constitution and laws 81
Wes, Virginia by main tanning that said
County is not legally and conslitulional!y
a part OF said State, and therefore they
are no: bound TO obey It's authority; and
by openly endeaVoring TO persuade and
induce the people oil said County TO hold
an election therein for Member Of Con
gress, and for Senator and Delegates to
The General Assembly of Virginia under
the assumed authority Of The Slate of Vir-
GINA, thereby attempting TO set up and es-
lahlish in said County government and
jurisdiction, other, dliferen' and seperale
from that Of the State OF West Virginia,
ali Of which is not only in dlianre of the
regularly constituted authorities, bat must
result, if persisted in, in great disturbance
Of the peace and good order Of society.
In order that the people Of Jefferson
County may not be misled and inviting
ly induced to violate he law, state that
The actions and conduct Of the evil dispo-
ed and seditious persons above mentioned
are hot approved, or even cOunlenanced
b. the Executive Of Virginia, but are
IN direct opposition 10 his advice and
counsel to the contrary.
Civil organization has been restored
and maintained in the comfy Of Jefferson
unG,r the authority sole! Y of the Stale OF
WesI Virginia, without any Prcience Of
jurisdiction by the authorities Of Virginia,
and it must be apparent TO all that the
Executive of West Virginia cannot for a
moment allow wicked men who are re.
gsrdless Of the peace of the community,
TO oppose the execution Of the laws of the
Stale, or TO attempt TO Sc! up different
and anlagonisric authority therein.
If there is really any bona tide doubl
as to whether the county Of Jefferson Is
legally and consltulionalIy a parr Of Wesl
Virginia, or srllI remains part Of Virgin
ia, that is question which can be settled
in a peaceful and orderly mode, and II
seems to me that all persons who have re-
specl for law and have the good Of society
al heart, will pursue this mode, and will
not andeavor TO inhame me passions OF
The people and induce them to attempt the
redress of supposed grievances BY force
ior violence.
But | AM induced to believe that the
leading spiri's in his movement in The
county Of jefferson ere lhose who left
their homes and went South and engaged
in the effort TO destroy the government
and dsinlegrare The Union, and having
been defeated and disappointed in their
efforts 10 accomplish this wicked purpose,
they have been allowed, through benigni-
ty of that government, to return with the
understanding that they would be peacea-
bic and useful citizens; but instead OF
keeping faith with the authorities and
counseIIing respect and observance Of the
laws, they are putting forth all their ener-
ges and efforts 10 disturb, distract and
produce discomfort amongst the people of
their county who Otherwise would enjoy
peace, good order, conlentment and hap
piness.
In order therefore that the proper au-
lhoriiy maybe maintained and the peace
of the community preserved, |, Arthur |.
Boreman, Governor as aforesaid, do, by
this my proclamation, counsel, advise,
and warn the people Of Jefferson County,
and all others, against any further resis-
lance or opposition TO, or violation Of, the
constitution and laws Of West Virginia,
and especially against any attempt to hold
an election under the assumed authority
of the Stale OF Virginia, or any authority
other than that of West Virginia.; and
make know that. if such attempt is per-
sisted in, the parties engaged therein will
be arrested and brought 10 punishment
And | hereby direct all civil officers in
said County to arrest and bring 10 justice
every person who attempts 10 bold an
election in SAID County, under the assum-
ed authority of the State Of Virginia, or
any authority other than that of the Stale
of West Virginia; and the military au
lhoriles of the United States in the Dis
,rici of West Virginia are called on and
requested 10 issue such orders. and TO use
such force as may be deemed necessary
TO prevent such election being held. and,
if attempted, 10 aid the civil authorities in
arreslipg the parties engaged therein, and
in bringing Them to justice.
In Testimony Where0f, | have here
W. unto sci my hand and caused
SEAL the seal Of the said State 20 be |
| ~ } affixed at the Capitol in the CT
ty of Wheeling, this 9th Cay of October