Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-04-09
The Presidents Proclamation.

The most important event Of the day is the
Presidents Proclamation announcing that ''thc
insurrection which heretofore existed in the
Southern States manning all but Texas ''is at
an end, and henceiorth to be 50 regarded" This
official recognition and PRONUNCIATION Of the
end ofthe war, and the accession OF peace and
tranquility, by the executive head of the ma
ton, is but another form OF declaring that the
Union and the Constitution have survived the
war 1t was ostenSibly for their preservation that
: the North went to war, and the President has,
in that graveSt form of official utterance-a
Observation-Disclosures not alone to the peo-
pie of the United States, but to the nations Of
the earth, the "sovereign and important restor-
alton of the national unity"
This Proclamation is brief but cOmprehen-
sive historical and logical statement Of the
past action of former President, Of two former
Congresses, and of the past present and future
relations of the States of the South to the Union.
The Presidents argument is, that the war hav-
ing ceased by the surrender Of the people OF
the Southern States and their submission in
good faith to the issues decided by the war,
these States, or as he expresses it-'Such con-
stituent States must necessarily be, aud by
the constitution and laws Of the United States
are made equal, and placed on like footing rs
TO protection, rights, immunitieS, dignity and
power, with the several States with which they
are united" He declares that standing ar
mics, military occupation, martial law, militia
nv tribunals and the suspension Of the habeas
corpus, are incompatible with state oCpeace,
and ought never to be sanctioned or allowed,
except in cases Of actual necessity, for repel-
ling invasion or SuppreSSing Instruction or re-
bellion. These two declarations together
constituted the kernel Of the nut-the giSt OF
the whole Northumberland when asked, as
we have frequently been asked in the last day
or two, what will be the political effect of the
proclamation, we can only say that it must be
complete rehabilitation and restoration. This
proclamation, whose meaning and effect have
given rise to much of anxious enquiry IN TIM
community as to how far and how soon It vii
relieve the South from martial law and restore
the ba5eqS corpus, will no doubt very soon re
ceive its practical Interpretation at the hand
ofthe President by the withdrawal ofthe troop
and the authorization of proceedings under thu
writ Of habedS corpus We must be patient
and leave the efiectuation of the policy announ
ced in the proclamation to the august autho
of that proclamation, with full confidence in hi
frmneSS, integrity, good Judgment and patri
otism. OF this We may rest assured, that h,
will not be content to treat it himself, or SUITE
others TO treat it as 'brut,m t,tlmeR." Let u
not be over solicitous to enjoy, OF unduly hast,
in claiming, its benefits. 1t is due to the Pres
;aeDt who has risked so much in our behalf, an,
who stands as sponsor and surety for our goo
aondrct that we shall exercise and enjoy tn
,,rivileqes incident to our renewed relation
,r;tb moderation, dignity and exemplary prJ
dence.
A. 70 the power of the President to issJ
This proclamation, no rational mind can ente
..;n doubt. The act Of Congress of Marc
% 1853. provides that ''dTiHgAs present re''
~. tbe President, whenever in his judgme
.,hl;c safety may require it, is authorize
..,snond the writ Of Labeas corpus in al
49, throughout the United States or in al
art thereof" In his proclamation Of SepteI
P,s 1863. suspending the writ of habeas co
O'i % p.osident LINCOLN used this language
pTS' suspension shall continue thrOugho
- of such rebellion, or until aiS pro
,,a,;on shall, byG subsequent one '0os 'SS"sa
49, President Of the United S''''S' 0' "'oug'
OR REVOKED" ,... nv an exec
Inc nh, ,hs proclamation of the then Pre-
dent. Its termination must Dc ''