Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-04-06

TnE PRESIDENTS pRoCfAM,riON.--h Thomas
II. Benton we're alive we think he would declare
that this document has a stump speech in its bel
w. Our readers shall Judge From very
long preamble we give the following, with the
proclamation annexed thereto;
Whereas there now exists no organized armed
resistance of misguided citizens or others 70 the
authority Of the United States in the States Of
Georgia, South Carolina Virginia, North Caro-
lima, Tennessee Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas,
Mississippi and Florida, and the laws can be sus-
tanned and enforced therein by the proper civil
authority, State or Federal aud the people Of
said States are well and Loyalty disposed and have
confoimed. or will conform, in their legislation 10
the condition Of affairs growing out Of the amend
ment TO the Constitution of the United States pro-
hibitng slavery within the limits or jurisdiction of
the United States. And whereas, in view Of the
before recited premises, it is the manifest deter
mination Of the American people chat no State of
its own will has the right or power to 90 out Of,
or separate itself from, be separated from, the
American Union, and that, therefore, each State
ought 10 remain and constitute an integral part of
the United States And whereas, the people OF
the several before mentioned States have, in the
matter aforesaid, given satisfactory evidence that
they acquiesce in this sovereign and important
revolution OF the national unity. And whereas,
it is believed TO be fundamental principle of gov
eminent that people who have reyolted, and who
have been overcome and subdued, must either be
dealt with So as to induce them voluntarily to be-
come friends, or else they must be held by abso-
lutte military power or devastated as to prevent
them from ever again doing harm enemies,
which last named policy Is ahhorent to humanity
and freedom. And whereas the Constitution OF
the United States provides for Constitutional com
muntios only as States and not as territories,
dependencies, provinces or protectorates. And
whereas, such constituent States must necessarily
be- and by the Constitution and laws are made
equals and placed on like footing as to political
rights, immunites, dignity and power with the
several States with which thoH united. And
whereas, the observance Of political equality as
principle Of right and Justice is well calculated "a
encourage the people Of the aforesaid States TO b,
and become more and more constant and perse
vering in their renewed allegiance. And whereas
standing armies, military occupation, martial law
and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus ar,
in time Of peace dangerous to public liberty, in
compatible with the individual rights Of citizens
contrary to the genius and spirit OF our free insti
tutons and exhaustive Of the national resources
and ought not therefore TO be sanctioned or al
lowed, except in case of. actual necessity for re-
polling invasion OF suppressing Instruction Of
rebellion. And whereas the policy of the GOV
eminent Of the United States, from the beginning
Of the Instruction 10 its overthrow and final sup
pres ion, has been in conformity with the princi
Piles herein set forth and enumerated
Therefore, /, ANDREW Johnson, President o
the United States, do hereby proclaim and declar'
that the instruction which heretofore eXiste'
in the States OF Georgia, South Carolina, Nortl
Carolina, Virginia, tennessee, Alabama, Louis
lana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Florida, is at at
end, and hencetorth 10 be regarded.