Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-09-19
President Authorizing the Aiming of Mil
tia in the Rebel States.

Provisional Governor Shsrkey, OF Mississippi,
some time since proceeded in his work Of re-
organizing bis State by armins the returned rebel
soldiers. Gen. Slocum, commanding in that de-
partment, put a stop to this work. Gov. Sharkey
appealed to President Johnson, and the President
has countermanded Gen. Slocum's order, and per-
mits Shsrkey to proceed to organize and arm the
militia of Mississippi. The dispatch which the
President sent Governor Sharkey is as follows.
1t is believed there can be organized in each
county a force Of citizen militia to suppress dis
turbance, to preserve order, and enforce the civil
authority of the State and Of the United States
which would enable the federal government TO
reduce the army, and withdraw, to a great ex-
tent, the federal forces from the State, thereby
| reducing the enormous expenses Of the govern.
ment.
If there was any danger from an organization
of the citizens for the purpose indicated, the mil
tary are there to detect and suppress, on the first
appearance Of any movement insurrectionary in
its character. One great object is to induce the
people to come forward in the defense Of the
State and federal government. General Wash
| lbBsNh NNNlhisN thD PtOpN1 VI Llp lhllllsdt wac
the right arm Of the constitution. As soon as it
is practicable, the original design Of the govern
ment will be resumed under the principle Of the
great chart Of freedom handed down to the people
by the founder Of the republic The people must
be trusted With their government, and if trusted
my opinion is they will act in good faith, and
restore their former constitutional relations with
all the States composing the Union.
The main object of Msj. Gen. Carl Schurz 5
mission 20 the South was to aid as fair as practi.
cable, in carrying out the policy adopted by the
government for restoring the States to their for
mer constitutional relations with the federal gov.
eminent. 1t is hoped that such aid has been
lgysn.
The proclamation authorizing the restoration
Of tho State government requires the military
power to aid the provisional governor in the per.
formance Of his duties as prescribed in the proc.
lamation, and in no manner to interfere or throw
implements 10 the way of the contamination o
the object Of his appointment, at least without
advising the government of the intended inter
ference.
Signed ANDREW JOHNSON.
We really cannot see, if this be the policy o
the government, why Gen. Sherman agreemen
with Johnston was not ratified. One objection
TO that, as stated at the time, was that it would
put the power into the hands Of the rebels
Does this accomplish anything less than that ?
1t is a pleasant reflection, however, to know
that the President contempIates keeping th'
federal militia in Mississippi to watch the stat'
militia. President Buchanan kept Gen. Anderson
in Charleston haibor to watch Beauregard, AM
he did watch him, until Bsauregard was ready L
make Sumter too hot for him. There is prob
ably no danger that the confederate militia will a
present prove more than match for the fedora
militia; but we can but admire the singular wis
dom which permits this militia to be organized, 81
that the federal army may be withdnwn, ant
keeps the army there to prevent the militia from
perpetrating sny mischief. However, as long a
the army stays there, it will probably bs all right
serene and peaceful, aud just when the militlr
power is to be let up from these rebel states doe
not at present appear.