The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-04-10

hsh to-day an important Proclamation from
President johnson. declaring that the war is at
an end and that peace prevails in the States of
Virginia. North Carolina South Carolina, Geor-
gia. Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Arkansas and
Tennessee, and that the suspension of the writ of
habeas corpus and military rule ought not to be
continued in those States. Texas is not men
tioned, therefore we suppose the President does
not consider the difficulties settled in that State
Many are inquiring what is the effect of this
Proclamation. Some of our exchanges contend
that it restores the privileges of the habeas COR
pus and also the Southern States to civil govern
ment whilst others think that it is the precursor
OF something to come. more definite and pointed.
We think that it not only restores the habeas
corpus to the. Southern people. but it returns
the Southern States to the control of their civil
officers, before the This opinion is main
tanned by many influential and leading journals
North and South. a few extracts from which we
give below
The Raleigh Standard says:
1--WE publish to day in full the proclamation of
the President declaring that the insurrec is at
end; and that henceforth it is settled. the
sovereign and important resolution of the nation
al unity" that no State has gone out of, or sepa-
rated itself from, go out of, separate it
self from the federal Union. 1t legitimatrly fol-
lows that civil law has been restored in the States
and that the States are entitled to be represented
in the common Congress, whenever they shall
present acceptable members to that body. The
President does not undertake to judge of the cleo
tiOn.. character or qualification of members, but
leaves that exclusively to the Congress-
The President does not in so many words, re-
store the writ ofhabcas corpus, but this, it
to us, results inevitably from the whole tenor
and logic of the proclamation. STANDING armies
military occupation. MAJ tial law, aud military
tribunals" all fall. as seems to US, before this
important document
The proclamation is the finishing step in the
work of restoration. So far as the President is
concerned. His duty has been ably and faith
fully discharged. 1t has been discharged accord
ing to the Constitution and in the true spirit Of
republican forms. 1t now remains for the
Congress to act. What that action will be DO
one fnreSee. The probability is that Ten
nessee will be admitted at an early day; and that
by concurrent resolution, the two Houses will de-
clare that whenever the other States shalt efsn
ply with certain conditions with respect to loyal
ty, their members also will be admitted to their
seats. We do not apprehend, however, that Con-
sress will attempt to dictate to the States the
subject of negro suffrage.
The New YorSTimcs says:
The Interpretation of the present status of
the South virtually places South Carolina and
New York on the footing in all that apPer-
tai,s to their relations to oheraStates and to the
National Government. And the proclamation
carries with it this force without the sgstest i'm
pingcmcnt upon the high prerogative which Con-
grrss holds to determine the rights Of individual
claimants to seats in either branch of that body.
1t simply amnounces to the Southern States that
they more intrusted with the mainten-
ance of law and order within their owIr borders
and TO the world at large that the unity of the
Government Is restored upon basis consistent
with the rights and ilnmuuties of individual
States.
In view of our commercial and financial posi- |
t"n. cannot regard this great executive act
without satisfaction.
We believe there is good authority for stating
that the Frecdnrn's Bureau act as it now exists.
will be continued in operation for year from
the date of this prnc!amann.''
The New York World says:
by this Proclamation. the Southern States !
placed precisely i'll the same legal condition |
in which they stood previous to the rebellion If
their relations to the federal Government have |
been temporarily suspended or interrupted. it was |
solely 10y the existence of rcbellion but the re- |
bellion being officially declared at an end, |
all the Constitutional rights of the insurgent |
States revert. Those States hereafter be |
subjected to no exceptional disabilities without a |
plain aud 10 pable violation of the Constitutions |
as completely without legal excuse as would be |
the niction If similar disabilities on Massachu-
sets New York.