The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-12
Important Letter from the President.

On the 10Th ult., Governor Sharkey
of Mississippi, issued Proclamation,
providing for the organization of mil
itary force in each county of that State,
to be composed of citizens. On the Gath,
Major General Slocum, commanding
the Department, promulgated an order,
everything the proclamation, and direct
ing the arrest of all persons who should
attempt to carry it into execution.-In
his order General Slocum says:
1.-THE Provisional Governor has
thought proper, without consultation
with the department commander, or
with any other officer of the United
States on duty here, to organize and
arm force in every county, urging the
young men of the State, who have so
distinguished themselves for gallantry,
to respond promptly to his call, mean.
ing thereby that class of men who have
as yet scarcely laid down the arms with
which they have been opposing our
Government. Such force, If organized
as proposed, is to be independent of the
military authority now present, and SUI
peri0r i'm strength to the United States
forces now on duty in the State. To per-
nit the young men, who have so distin-
guished themselves, to be armed and or
ganized Independently of the United
States military officers on duty here, and
to allow them TO operate in counties now
garrisOncd by colored troops, filled, as
many of these men are, not only with
prejudice against these troops, and
n ~ Of In Of N 81
tive to freedmen, but even against our
Government itself, would bring about
collision at once. and increase in q ten
fold degree the difficulties that now beset
the people,"
The matter was referred to Washing
ton, and the President set aside the or
der of General Slocum and sustained the
action of Governor Sharkey. The fol-
lowing is an extract from his letter OH
the subject:
at is believed there can be organized
in each county a force of citizen militia
to preserve order and enforce the civil
authorities of the State, and of the
United States, which would enable the
Federal Government to reduce the army
and. withdraw, TO u great extent, the
forces from the State thereby reducing
the enormous expenses of the govern
ment.
''If there was any danger from an or.
ganizatiOn of thecitizens for the purposes
indicated, the military are there to sup
press oil the first appearance, any move
in its character. One
grrat object is to induce the people to
come forward in defence of the State and
and Federal Governments. General
Washington declared that the people, or
the militia, was the arm of the Constitu-
ton, OF the arm of the United States, and
as soon rs il is practicable, the original
design of the government should be re.
sumed under the principles of the great |
charter of freedom handed down to the |
,eople by the founder of the Republic.
The people must be trusted with their
overnment, and ii trusted my opinion
} that they will act in good faith and
estOre their former constitutional rela-
Ons with all the States composing the
Inion. The main object of Major Cen
raj Carl Schurz's mission to the South
'as to aid, as much as practicable, i'm
arrying out the policy adopted by the
overnment for restoring the States to
leir former relations with the Federal
overnment. 1t is hoped that such aid
as been given. The proclamation au-
lorizing the restoration of State gov
requires the military to aid the
rOvisional Governor in the performs
nee of his duties as prescribed in the
and in no manner to in.
'rfere orthrow impediments in the way
the cOnsummation-o the object of his
1pOintment, at least without advising
he government of the Intended inter.
renee. ANDREW Johnson |,
The Richmond Wig, commenting on
lis order, says:
We rejoice to infer from this letter
at the days of military rule are
lmbered. 1t has been long time | /
nee we have heard language so CRATE y
| to our ears as President John
MS words: The people mast be trust {
a0ith their government, and If trust
my opinion is that they q0M act 6
good FAITH and restore their forney, S
Institutional relations with oil the States G
the Onion. These words !
e the death-warrant of the rule of the s
'ord. Let the friends of self-govern. {
ent and the devotees of liberty re- !
Iceland let generous aud grateful $
ople see to it that the President shall i
yer have cause to regret the con fideuca a