The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-04-04

APRIL 4, lS66.-WITH 81
ries of the past But the action Of the Presi-
dent OF the United States in declaring that the
revolving States are restored, that within their
borders civil law and not civil war reigns, and
that the civil authority of the United States
government is reinstated and recognized, will
be received by the Southern States and their
inhabitants as If new dispensation OF Provi-
dence had been vouchsafed them
Now let President Johnson follow up his
admirable and timely proclamation Of restora-
ton by declaration of peace and a recon-
mendation for day of national thanksgiving
and praise. We have done 80 for victories over
the enemies of the Union; why should we not
do the same for Union completely restored? :.
The Presidents Procl m ation-No Longer
Insurrection or Fear Of It In the
South.
just year after the capture Of Rich
mond, which was virtually an end of armed
hostility against the government, the President
issues proclamation declaring that there is no
longer any insurrection or fear Of one through
out the length and breadth Of the country.
There has been no clash of arms since the sur
render of the last rebel army-that in Texas-a
few weeks after the surrender of Lee; but it was
necessary to hold the Southern States under
military law for time. The rebel authorities
were deposed by the success of the war, and it
was necessary to organize others to take their
place. This the President set about doing at
once, and step by step he has brought the local
selfgovernment of the Southern States into full
action. While this was being done, and until
it could be accomplished, he was compelled to
exercise extraordinary authority. He grad
ually relaxed this power and military rule over
the people, as he saw it was safe to do SO and
as their own machinery of State government
became perfected Now he officially tells the
country and the world "that the insurrection
which heretofore existed is at an enl." He
does not include Texas, because the work Of
restoration was not considered completed when
he wrote his proclamation; but we yesterday
published information that the Texas Con-
vention had finished the organization of the
State government, had complied with what was
required by the President, and had zone its
business as thoroughly and satisfactorily as
any of the other States. The President, then,
will shortly make official proclamation that the
instruction is ended also in Texas. That will
be the last of the great rebellion.
The proclamation has the force Of law. BY
it all the civil rights of the people within the
States lately in rebellion are restored to them
No military or any other authority, except the
regular civil authority, has any more power over
the people OF these States than over us in New
York. Congress may do whatever it chooses
as to admitting m mbers from these States, or
may go so far as to resolve that they are not
in the Union; but this would not alter the fact.
The Executive declares that they arc not only
ended, they are entitled to the full enjoyment
of all the rights that citizens of the other
States are. The President not only asserts that
there is no longer any necessity for withhold
ing these rights but he believes it would be
injurious 10 the country, If not dangerous, to
do 80. The language Of the proclamation is
very clear and emphatic on this point. The
President says:-
And whereas standing arnies, military occupation,
martial law, military tribunals and the suspension OF tho
privilege of tis writ OF habra corpns arc, time or
peace, dangerous 10 public Iihcrty incompatible with
the individual rights OF tho cizens contrary the
MUS and spirit o. our free Institutions aud exhaustive
OF the national resources and lit therefore 70 be
sanctioned allowed except In of actual necessity
for rcpelng invasion or suppressng resurrection
bellon
The whole country will rejoice at the official
declaration that war and instruction and all
the consequences of these-such as martial law,
the suspension OF the writ of habeas corpus
and civil disabilities OF every knd-are cat an
end" The South will lift up its head in hope,
will have the strongest motive for loyalty, and
will soon learn to forget its animosies under
the liberty, glory, prosperity and grandeur of
the Union. Congress cannot long keep the
Southern people unrepr,scnted. In the mean
time they have all the rights and privileges VIC
have. Let them wait patiently, then; show
their loyalty and preservs order, and 20 to
work in earnest TO develop the resources of
their rich country. There is no necessity for
grumbling now. Through the wise and gen.
erous policy Of Andrew johnson they have
reached the point OF restoration Of their civil
rights. Congressional representation will fol-
low. In few years they may be richer and
happier than ever. This proclamation is the
end Of their disabilities and the beginning of a
great future.
COMMENTATOR or THE BOARD OF HEALTH
FROM AN UNEXPECTED QuARTER.-Mcssrs. Brown,
Devoe & Knapp, the contractors for. cleaning
the streets, have submitted to the Mayor a
document that can be regarded in no other
light than as tribute of praise TO the efficiency