The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-04-03

legislation TO the condition OF affairs growing
out Of the amendment to the Constitution Of
the United States, prohibiting slavery within
the limits and jurisdiction Of the United
States;
And whereas, in view Of the before recited
premises, II Is the manifest determination Of
the American people that no State, Of Its
own will, has the right or the power to go out
Of, or separate itself from, or be separated
from the American Union, and that therefore
each State ought to remain and constitute an
integral part Of the United States;
And whereas, the people Of the several
aforementioned States have, in the manner
aforesaid, given satisfactory evidence that
they acquiesce in this sovereign and import
ant resolution of national unity
And whereas it is believed to be funda-
mental principle Of Government that people
who have reyolted, and who have been over
come and subdued, must either be dealt with
so as to induce them voluntarily to become
friends, or else they must be held by ALSO
lutte military power, or devastated, so as to
prevent them from ever again doing harm as
enemies, which lastnamed policy is abhor-
rent to humanity and freedom;
And whereas the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States provides for constituent commu-
mites only Us States and not as territories,
dependencies, provinces, or protectorates;
And whereas such constituent States must
necessarily be, and by the Constitution and
laws Of the United States are, made equals
and placed upon like footing as to political
rights, immunities, dignity, and power, with
the several States with which they are
united;
And whereas the observance Of political
equality as principle Of right and justice is
well calculated to encourage the people Of
the aforesaid States to be and become more
and more constant and persevering in their
renewed allegiance;
And whereas standing armies, military oc,
cupation, martial law, military tribunals, and
the suspension Of the privilege of the writ Of
habeas corpus are, in time Of peace, danger
our to public liberty, incompatible with the
individual rights Of the citizen, contrary To
the genius and spirit Of our free institutions
and exhaustive Of the national resources, and
ought not, therefore, TO be sanctioned OF
allowed, except in cases Of actual necessity
for repelling invasion or suppressing insurrec
ton or rebellion;
And whereas the policy Of the Government
Of the United States, from the beginning o
the instruction to its overthrow and fna
suppression, has been in conformity with tn,
principles herein set forth and enumerated;
| Now, therefore, l, ANDREW JOHNSON, Pres
ident Of the United States, do hereby proclaim
and declare that the instruction which here
tofore existed in the States of Georgia, Soutl
Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennes
see, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missis
sippi and Florida is at an end, and is hence
forth to be SO regarded.
In testimony whereof have hereunto sc
MY hand, and caused the seal of the Unite,
States to be affixed.
Done at the city Of Washington the secon
day of April, in the year of GU
Lord one thousand eight hundre,
[sEAL and sixty-six, and of the Indeper
dence Of the United States of Amer
ca the ninetieth.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President:
WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
Secretary of State