Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-04-04
THE PREs,prsrs PRocLAmArIox

The copy Of the Presidents Proclama-
lion, which we give In another column
though imperfect as all such documents
are transmitted by telegraph, is never
theless ineligible enough 10 assure Us
that the Civil War is officially declared
at an end, and that peace instead Of war
prevails throughout the length and
breadth Of this broad land. II is a result
10 which thousands upon thousands Of
true American hearts have been looking
forward with anxious solicitude. It is
the lifting from Of the mind Of the desc
late south, q nightmare Of oppression
and dependency. II Is The recreation Of
the spirit Of freedom, and the giving Of
free play te the feelings Of national pa
tri0tism, among all the Southern people
May GoD bless and prosper the great and
good President who thus unroLs The
covenant Of the Constitution, and re-
stores 10 the Republic its true hfe-the
afectien aud support Of al its citizens
The issuance Of this Proclamation
imposes upon the people Of the
South peculiar responsibilities ana
duties. Chief among these Is TO dem
oustrate. by the dignity and
decencv Of their department, in the midst
Of their exhilerati0n the occasion is so
veH calculated 10 excite. that the Presi-
dent Is not mistaken ina the frank and
generous confidence he reposes in them.
If there ever was a time when the
Southern community, should make it a
susaial point Of honor 10 conform with
the termsof heirsurrendsr. andto redeem
with scrUpulOus exactness the obligations
assumed under the proclamation Of am
nssrv. that time Is p9U-no-v, in the hour
of their emancipation from a thraldom
IN which q Radical majority in Congress
would hold them forever. Remember,
that every extravaganza of sentiment or
Of language, every ~irregularity Of action,
viii bes % much aid and comfort given
10 the fanaticaI enemies of the Presi-
deut-so many hindranee5 put ia his way
in the great battle he Is fighting for the
restoration Of the Constitution, and the
equality Of the states iu the Union I'M
der that Constitution. Il would be alike
stupid and dishouoTable In Us to so tram
mel the brave and good man at the head
Of the Government
While, however, the circumstance
in which We are placed, prescribe the
proprfsty Of o most ~scrUpul0us alb
stiuence. by word or deed, from any
exhibition Of unfriendliness Of feeling
towards the Government or Of sectional
auimosities, these very circumstance
warrant the Southern people in taking a
wider latitude and 3 holder tone Of eZ-
preston of their good faith in supporting
the President in his policy. 1t is an
nouuced By the highest authority known
10 the Constitution, thai We are no longer
conquered provinces, but free States Of
the American Union, whose citizens are
American freemsn. Heretofore, their
status was that Of dependents upon the
viii Of s conqueror, and any protesta-
tons Of attachment to the policy or the
person Of the Chief Magistrate, might
well be considered as tainted by the
promptiugs Of seIf-interest. Now.
however, that the States have been re-
suseitated and their citizens e~nfranchised, I
it would be seemly in them voluntarily I
70 renew their pledges Of loyalty to the
Government Of the Union and express
their honest sympathy with the good and
true man who has dared so much and
risked so much % preserve our free re-
publican Institutions. These pledges
may be 50 given as to put to shame his
revlers, and stop the mouths Of the dem
agogues who m~isrepIesent us and We
shall be very glad tOput upon record such
spontaneous expressions Of the patriotism
Of the people.
We shall, as usual, give the authentic
text Of the Proclamation as o as it Is
received.