Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-04-27

Johnson commanding Confederate army,
and Mai. Gen. VIM. I, sherman com
nanding army United States In North
Carolina both present
l-r Cuntendir y armies now in the field
10 maintain their stat4 gro until notice
given by the commanding General OF
either one To its opponent ana teasuna-
hlt time, say rs hours allowed,
"a. Confederate armies now IN exist
ence to be- dlshandcd and conducted to
their several State capitals, there to de-
post their arms and public property in
The State arsenals, and each officer and
man to execute and file an agreement to
cease from acts of war amt abide the
action OF both the State and Federal
authorities; the number Of arms and
munitions of war To be reported 10 the
chief Of or nance at Washington, sub
jpct 10 the future action Of the Congress
Of the United States and i'm the meat
time to he used solely u maintain peace
and order within the borders OF the
States respectively,
3d. The recognition by the Executive
of the United States Of the several state
governments on their officers and iegis-
1 lator> taking the oath prescribed by the
Constitution Of the United State, and
whore conflicting state governments
. have resulted from war, the legitimacy
OF all shall be submitted to the supreme
Court Of the United States.
i,h The establishment of all Federal
courts in the United States with pow
I ers us defined by the Constitution aud
+ laws Of Congress.
9TH The people and inhabitants OF all
" states to NE guaranteed 50 lar as the eN-
/ ecutive can, their political rights and
/ franchise as we as their rights Of per
son and property as defined by the Con
stitution of the United States and of
States respectively.
9th The executive authority of the
government Of the United States not to
! disturb any Of the people by reason Of
the late war SO long As they live in peace
and quiet and abstain from acts Of
armed hostility aud obey the laws in eX-
isteuce at the place of their residence.
IN. I'm general terms war to cease
+ and general amnesty to be granted 50
lar a. the Executive power OF the United
States can command ON condition Of
TIE disbludmut Of the Confederate ar
mics and distribution of arms and re-
I sumption of peaceful pursuits by the
officers and men hitherto composing
said armies
Not being fully empowered by our
respective principals to fu}hl these terms
we individually and officially pledge
ourselves to promptly obtain necessary
authority and to carry out the above
rrp0raynu,a w n
Mai Gen. COmd q Z. 5. forces in Nc.
J. +. JOHNSTON.
Comd Q &. $ 4. forces.
This proceeding of Gen Sherman
was Gisapproyed for the following rea-
sons:
LIST, 1t was an exercise Of authority
not vested in Sherman, and on its face
shows that both he and Johnston knew
that he SHERMAN had no authority to
enter into any such arrangement.
I'd. 1t was practical acknowledge
ment OF the rebel government
Sd, 1t undertook to re-cstabish reb-
el state governments that had been over
thrown at a sacrifice of many thousand
lives and immense treasure and placed
arms and munitions Of war in the hand,
of rebels as their respective capitals
which might be used as soon as the ar
mics of the United States were dis
banded and used to conquer and sub
due loyal states
4th. BY it the rebel authority in their
respective states they would be enabled
to establish slavery.
9Th 1t might furnish a ground for
responsibility by the federal govern
ment to pay the rebel debt, and certain
ly subjects loyal citizens of rebel states
to pay the debt cOnsummated by the
rebels in the name of the state.
10th. 1t put in dispute the existence OF
iOyal state governments and the new
state of Western Virginia which has been
recognized by every department of the
United States Government.
18th. It practically abolished confsca.
ton laws and relieved the rebels Of every
degree who had slaughtered our people
from all pains and penalties for theil
crimes
Sth. II gave terms that had been de
liberately, repeatedly and solemnly re
iected by President Lincoln, and bette
terms than the rebels ever asked in thei
= most prosperous condition.
9th. 1t formed no basis Of true an(
lasting peace bnt relieved the rebel
from the pressure Of our victories, ant
: left them in a condition to renew thei
e efforts to overthrow the United State
/ Government and subdue loyal state
whenever their strength was recruite
l and any opportunity should allow,