The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-08-15
THE EXTENT OF THE PRESENT
MILITARY AND CIVIL GOVERN
MENT IN NORTH CAROLINA.


the present military and civil government of
North Carolina, it may be doubted whether the
condition and extent of the two are we'll under
stood by our citizens. At any rate, we are dis
posed to assume as certainty that the condition
Is not plainly understood, and to make one more
effort to explain 1t.
First, What is the power of the military of
the United States stationed here? North Caro-
lima is military department of the national
government, and over this department army
officer presldes, who has entire and Unlimited
control the civil and military laws of the
State and who still has absolute power over
eVerything the most remotely connected with
the army, and whose absolute power over the
citizens and the civil authorities, is only limited
by the authority invested In the Governor by
The Presidents proclamation.
Secondly, there is in the State treasury de-
partment of the United States government, sep
arate and distinct from the military, existing
under the laws of Congress. This department
has its own head, and is totally and entirely in
dependent of any civil government existing
here.
Then comes the Freedmens bureau, estab-
lished by Congress, with its own laws, and its
own officers to control and execute them. This
Department is established amongst US, subject
only to the laws and regulations of the United
States and entirely free, distinct, and indepen-
dent Of any and all civil authority now existing
in North Carolina.
Then comes the civil government Of :he State,
having power except such as IS conveyed
upon Governor Holden by the proclamation of
the President, for the purpose of enabling the
loyal citizens of the State to hold Convention
to alter and amend their constitution, and with
authority TO exercise all the powers necessary
and proper to enable such loyal people of the
State to restore said State to its constitutional
relations to the federal government, and to pre-
sent such a republican form of government as
will entitle the State to the guarantee of the
general government. I.
Thus it is the powers of the Governor
limited to "a particular purpose, which is to
enable and assist the loyal citizens to hold
convention, and 10 establish the connection of
the State with the general government. He
has no control over the military, the treasury
department, or the Ereedmea's bureau.
Of course, the first great object is to assist
and enable the loyal citizens to hold Conven-
ton for the purpose of altering and amending
the constitution. This will be done as speedily
as is consistent with the proper consideration of
the rights and privileges of all loyal citizens.
selves with convenience to vote and to assist In
electing members to the Convention, the cleo
ton will be ordered.
But it is not to he hoped that Convention
can do any act that will restore US to all our
rights and privileges. 1t is not to be expected
that the military power will be surrendered to
The civil authority, and the military withdrawn
from the State, until our members Of Congress
are elected, and admitted into the Congress of
the United States, and our State restored to its
constitutional relations with the federal govern
nent.
The meeting of the Convention is greatly to
be desired, and certainly that body will do many
things to aid and relieve the people in their pre-
sent distressed and unsettled condition, but 1t
must steadily be borne in mind that the Con-
vention cannot restore US tothe privileges OF the
United States government. We are compelled
TO wait until December when Congress shall
have convened, before we can hope to enjoy that
privilege.
In the meantime, if we continue peaceable
and united, and present an acceptable eonsttu-
tion to Congress, when our members are elected,
we shall be admitted into the Union, and be
restored to the rights enjoyed by our fathers.
But if we get UP dissensions and strifes among
ourselves or with the military authorities, or II
we fail to present to Congress such a constitu-
ton as we know the national government will
demand of US, under the directions of President
Johnson, we may remain. 10 our present condi-
. tion for years to come, and the military remain
amongst US and have the same CONTROL OF our
affairs that they exercise to day. 1t is not the
meeting of the Convention or its action that
can relieve us, but it is our restoration to the
national government through the action of Con
sress.-Raleigh Standard.