The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-27
Proclamation, Ia /
BY W. W. HOLDEN, PROVISIONAL GOVERNOR
To the People of North Carolina.

freSlQenC OF the united states OF dmeEiCas a"'S
May 10Th, 1865, l. have been appointed PROVISIONS
Governor of the State of North Carolina, with IN
structions to 'prescrbe, at the earliest practicaoi
period, such rules and regulations as may De neces
sary and proper for converting Convention, com
posed of delegates to and chosen by that portion
the people of said State who loyal to the Unite
States, and others, for the purpose of altering
amending the Constitution thereof; and with an
thorty exercise within the limits of said State al
the power necessary and proper to-enabe such loyn
people of the State of North Carolina to restore sal
State to its constitutional relations to the Fedora
Government, and to present such republican form
of State Government will enttle the State to tn
guarantee of the United States therefor and its PEG
pie to protection by the United States against nva
sion, instruction, and domestic violence
And whereas, it is proper that the people OF tn
State should be informed far as may be, at thi
time of the measures that will be necessary TO at
tain this end so that they may be ready to offer al
intelligent and willing cooperation in the same-
And whereas, it is also proper that the purpose
of the Federal Government in relation to the peopl
Of the State should be made known; that the loya
may receive assurance of protection and encourage
ment, and the disloyal, if any there be, may know
that the eye of authority upon them and that the
will not be permitted with impunity to resist tn
laws to disturb the peace of society,"
Now, therefore, |, WILLIAM w. HOLDEN, Pro
sional Governor aforesaid, do proclaim and de
clare
LIST. That Convention of the people Of North Ca
rolina will be held, at as early period as practca
BILE, to be composed of the number of members Il
which the counties are respectively entitled in TIL
House of Commons of theState Legislature. NJ
person will be candidate for the Convention, ant
no person will vote for members to compose it, wht
shall not previously thereto have taken and sub
scribed to the following OATH prescribed in the pro
clamation of the President of the United States
dated May goth, 1865:
81, -, do solemnly swear or affirm, in pre-
sence of Almighty God, that will henceforth faith
fully support, protect and defend the Constitution
the United States and the Union of the States there
under and that will in like manner abide by anC
faithfully support all laws and proclamations which
have been made during the existing rebellion will
reference to the emancipation of slaves So help me
God"
And no person not we'll affected towards the Fed
eral Government, and not legal thereto, will be per-
mitted to take said OATH to vote in said election
Measures will be perfected as early as practicable
fol- administering the above oath to such persons
may be entitled take it, and for providing them
with certificates of the same as evidence of their
loyalty. The said oath is regarded as part of the
benefits of the Proclamation referred to, and viii
not be administered to any of the classes excluded
by said proclamation, save on the exhibition by
them of full pardon from the President of the Of
fence they may have committed against the United
States. e..
I'd. The Convention thus to be called will alter OF
amend the Constitution of the State, and will submit
of the State the balotbox for their accep
lance or rejection.
Sd. The Convention will provide for the election
by the people of Governor and members of the
Legislature; and the Legislature will elect two Sen
tors to represent the State in the Congress of the
United States.
4th. An election will also be held in due time for
members of the House of Representatives from the
State in the Congress of the United States.
Inasmuch as there no civil magistrates in this
Co., onfa ind fhn sic N
Governor. by virtue of authority in him vested by
the President of the United States, will proceed
lst To appoint Justices of the Peace for the Sari-
Gus counties, loyal men, by whom the above oath
will be administered, and who will also conduct the
elections, through subordinates, for menbers Of a
Convention, in accordance with instructions from
this office, and agreeaby to the laws of this State in
force previously to the Goth day of May, 1861.
I I'd Superior Courts of Oyer and Terminer will
De held, when necessary, by Judges specially ap-
Pointed and commissioned, to dispose of criminal
cases.
Sd. The Justices of the Peace, appointed as afore-
said will be authorized to hold Courts for the
action of all such business may not be of the class
ofcases triabe by ajury. The Justices, by MAORI
" of their whole number will also be authorized to
appoint their SherifS and their Clerks for the time
being and such other officers may be ,indispensa-
pie to q proper transaction of business And they
VIII also be vigilant and will exert themselves to
maintain the laws and to promote the peace of So
cley In their respective countless and especially to
arrest and commit for trial. when the Courts may be
neida oil offenders against any law of the State i
force previous to the goth of May, 1861. and to al
low bail where the is baable, according to TIE
usage of the State.
4th. The Provisional Governor will appoint the
state Directors and State proxies in the various
corporations in which the State is interested as the
exercise of such powers oy him cannot be avoided
But the control of the Railroads. the Asylums, and
other corporations in which the State is interested
tnus unavoidably to this extent committed to him,
Will be relinqushed for the action of the Convention
when that body shall have assembled
ouce in brief is an outline of the policy deemed
necessary to reconstruct the government Of North
Carolina, and to restore the State to its consitu-
uonal relations TO the Federal Government.