The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-01-09
A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT.

~S~s~' ~~S 1&'
Gov. Holden, the Provisional Governor of
North Carolina, having been relieved, and Gov.
Worth, who was elected by the people, having
been authorized by the President to assume the
duties of his Office, the following address has
been issued to the people of the State:
GOV. WORTH'S ADDRESS.
State efN. Carolina, Erecutiue Department !
RALEIGH, n G., Dec 80, 1860.
To the People of North Carolina:
congratulate you on the discontinuance OF
the Provisional Government in this State, by
order of the President of the United States,
and the restoration Of Civil Government. This
announcement has diffused joy throughout the
State. We are now under laws Of our own en-
actment.
10 the transition from military to civil gov
,erpmebt, happily for our country, our past his
tory has furnished US with no precedepts to
guide US, and hence you will not expect that
the whole machinery OF the neWly organized
government will be in perfect order at the start;
but in your Joy at the return of the form of gov
ernment to which you have been accustomed,
hope and believe all classes will strive to pre-
serve order, the more because all officers neces-
sary to enforce the laws have not been appoint
ed The General Assembly will soon convene
and flush up the work OF reorganization In
der existing laws, it is believed, that the powers
of all officers appointed under the authority OF
the Provisional Government ceased with the
discoutinuance of that Government.
Where clerks and sherifs, elected in Novem-
Der last under the ordinance of the Convention,
have been qualified, they have power to execute
the duties of their offices
As no Justices of the Peace were appointed
by the General Assembly, it may happen In
some of the counties, that the next term OF the
County Courts canuot be lee ally held; but where
such Courts shall be held other acts shall be
done by such Provisional officers, their acts will
probably be validated by an act Of the General
Assembly.
The Judges Of the Supreme and Superior
Courts will be qualified without delay, and will
hold the Courts at the times prescribed by Law;
and in the event of the commission OF any high
crime, upon proper information thereof, they
will provide for the apprehension or detention
of the offenders.
In the incorporated towns, where the Mayor
and other officers were appointed by the Provis-
ioBal Governor, these corporations can proceed,
under their charter and corporate laws, to ap
point others. In cases where. these elections
cannot be promptly held in strict conformity
with such charters or laws, the election must be
deferred for proper legislation or irregular cleo
lions may be held in the expectation that such
elections will be legalized.
The ordinance ratified 18th October last,
provides that in all cases of appointments made
by the Provisional Governor, of directors in any
corporation, they shall continue until the regu-
lar election of its officers.
The ordinance Of the Convention providing
for the collection of Revenue, authorizes the
Provisional Sherifs to carry out the same.
They derive their powers to collect these taxes
from this ordinance, and their Office, to this
duty, is not determined by the termination of
the Provisional Government.
In a short time all these irregularities will be
remcdied by the Genera! Assembly; and in the
meantime, am sure, you will maintain the en-
siable reputation of our people to the observ
ance Of law and order, and prove how ground
less is the caumuy, that there are still among
US persons who are disloyal to the Government
of the United States.
We did not go voluntarily into the late
iamtous rebellion. The action eff co-terminus
States forced US to take sides in the strife We
elected to go with our section; and having taken
our position, We acted with good faith to our
associates aud bore ourselves CALAMITY 10 the
!, fight. Being vanquished we submit as becomes
a brave people. The President as commander
n-ehief Of the military powers Of the nation,
magnanimoasy trusts US. do not believe
there is a citizen of the State who is unworthy
of this confidence.
l confidently rely on your cordial cooperation
in renedying the irregularities which embarrass
the beginning of my administration.
JONATHAN WORTH