The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-04-11
THE EFFECT OF THE PROCLA-
NATION.

...... NATION. .@
As yet, we have no authoritative utterance
from Washington as to the exact result, which
it was intended, the recent proclamation OF
the President should have upon the fortunes
of the South.
From certain facts that have come to light,
not only in this locality, but in other parts of
the State, We are convinced that the mill
tsry will soon be withdrawn from the States
mentioned in bis proclamation.
We have noticed in the Richmond Times
some remarks on this subject, which we think
subsequent events will prove to have been
founded in wisdom.
This paper thinks that the President hav-
ing proclaimed the return of peace, the SOL
dier returns to garrison lie, the civil govern
ment becomes tho supreme power IN the land,
aud the virtue Of the writ of habeos corpus to
open prison doors is instantaneousy restored
The Constitution expressly provides that the.
privileges of the writ of ho6eas corpus shall
not be suspended, unless, when in cases of re-
belon or invasion, the public safety may re-
quire" There is now neither rebellion" nor
''invasion," and the duty of the civil courts is
perfectly plain in all cases of illegal arrest.
The Army and Napy Journal, the able and
enlightened organ of the military and naval
service, admits the correctness of the interpre-
tation which we have placed upon the Presi-
dents proclamation. 1t states that when the
Commander-inC Chief of the army and navy
| issues such proclamation, she formally abd-
Gates the war power by which he has gov
erned the South during the past year. He
pronounccs the condition Of that section as
renovated its rights ard privileges so resusci-
tated, that heuceforth there is no place fol
military goverauce."
| The correctness of this conclusion is indis.
putable, and all argument to demonstrate its
truth would te superfuous and absurd
'Eiepceforth," the journal adds, "the Presi-
dent will withdraw all the troops, except the
customary garTisoms, from the Southern States
He will restore the writ of habeas corpus
uS VIII 8pOlloH iuditidi law Ho VIII Ccdoc "
permit military tribunals; and will give full
scope to the ordinary civil tribunals In on,
,oord, he abandons trhatever pouer he ma,
hare once had for the direct control of thu
Southern States. This is not ALL 1t may b.
confidently predicted that not only will thu
army be withdrawn at once, and the troop
mustered out of service, but the Southern de
partmeuts will undergo marked consolidation
There will no longer be needed depal tnen
and district headquarters aud official braache
in each State"
The Proclamation is said to have tempora
rily closed that famous temple of Cushit
Justice, the "Freedmen's Court" as doub
prevails about the powers of that eninen
tribunal. We also learn that the militar,
guardian of the wards of the nation" VIII
aas for sometime past graced the Mayor
| Court, and shared its fragrant honors wit
5he Mayor, disappeared soon after the ap
pearance Of the PrnelarSatisr.ourlon, with re
ference to the restriction of the privileges o
| the writ OF habeas corpus by the return O
peace, is so clear that the military will scarce
ly venture to let the question of arbitrary ar
rests find its way into the courts of the coun
l try.