The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-20
Proclamation,
BY W. W. HOLDEN, PROVISIONAL GOVERNOR,
To the People Of North Carolina.

posed of delegates to and chosen by that portion OF
the people of said State who loyal to the United
States and others, for the purpose of altering or
amending the Constitution thereof and with an-
hority to exercise within the limits of said State all
the power necessary and proper to enable such loyal
people of the State of North Carolina said
State to its constitutional relations the Federal
Government, and to present such republican form
of State Government as will entitle the State to the
guarantee of the United States therefor and its peo
pile protection by the United States against iuva-
sion, insurrection, and domestic Violence j.
And whereas, it is proper that the people of the
Slate should be informed far may be, at this
time, ofJhe measures that will be necessary TO at
tain this end, that they may be ready to offer an
intelligent and willing cooperation in the saQe:-
And whereas it is also proper that the purposes
of the Federal Government in relation to the people
OF the State should be made known; that the loyal
may receive assurance of protection and encourage
ment and the disoyal, if any there be, may know
that the eye of authority is upon them and that they
will not be permitted with mpunity to resist the
laws or to disturb the peace of society,"
Now, therefore, l, WILLIAM w. HOLDEN, Pro-
sonal Governor as aforesaid, do proclaim and de-
clare
lst. That Convention of the people of North Ca
.rolina will be held, at early period practical
ble to be composed of the number of members to
which the counties respectively entitled in the
House of Commons of the State Legislature No
person will be candidate for the Convention, and
person will vote for members to compose 1t, who
shall not previously thereto have taken and sub
camation of the President Of the United States,
. dated May goth, 1865: -
II, -, do solemnly swear or affirm, il pre-.
of Almighty God, that will henceforth faith
fully support protect and defend the Constitution of
the United States and the Union of the States there
under; and that Twill in like abide by and
faithfully support all laws and proclamations which
have been made during the existing rebellion with
reference to the emancipation of slaves. So help
God"
And no person not we'll affected towards the Fed
eral Government and not loyal thereto will be per-
mtted to take said oath. to vote in said election.
Measures will be perfected early practicable
for 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 part of the
benefits of the Proclamation referred to, and will
not be administered to any OF the classes excluded
by said proclamation, the exhibition By
them of full pardon from the President of the of
fence they may have committed against the United
States.
3D. The Convention thus, to be called will alter or
amend the stituton Of the State and will submit:
said Constitution thus altered amended to the
of the State the ballot-box for their accep
lance rejection
80. The Convention will provide for the election
by the people of Governor and members of the
Legislature; and the Legislature will elect Sen
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 civil magistrates in this
State State officers of any kind, the Provisional
Governor, by virtue of authority in him vested by
the President of the United States, will proceed:
LIST. TO appoint Justices of the Peace for the yar-
GUS counties, loyal men, by whom the above oath
will be administered, and who will also conduct the
elections, through subordinates, for menbers Of
Convention, in accordance with instructions from
this Office and agreeably to the laws of this State in
force previously to the 2Gth day Of May, 1861
I'd. Superior Courts of Oyer and Terminer will
be 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 trans
action of all such business may not be of the class
of cases triabe by jury. The Justices, by ma ORR
ty of their whole number will also be authorized to
appoint their Sheris and their Clerks for the time
being, and such other officers may be indispensa
BILE to a proper transaction of business. And they
will also be vigilant and will exert themselves to
maintain the laws and to promote she peace of So
ciety in their respective counties, and especially
arrest and commit for trial, when the Courts may be
held all offenders against any law of tie State If
force previous to the Goth of May 1861; and TO al
low bail where the is bailable according 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 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
thus unayoidably to this extent committed to him.
will be relinqushed for the action of the Convention
when that body shall have assembled.
Suce in brief is an outline of the policy deemed
necessary to reconstruct the government of North
Carolina and to restore the State to its constitu
tonal relations TO the Federal Government
And now, Provisional Governor of the State, l
invite the loyal people thereof to with cheer
tuness, and with confidence ia tie future, their
custoMed pursuits; and | invite those who have
been driven from the State by deapotc power, to
turn; assuring all loyal citizens of the State that
they will be protected in their persons and proper
e, and encouraged in their exeriiens to improve