The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-04-10
! The Proclamation Of Peace.

We publish in another column the Procla-
nation of Peace, and as to propriety of such
measure at this time we quote from the New
York Post. ''The President has issued 6
Proclamation announcing that the insurrec.
tion in those States which had arisen agains
the federal government has been suppressed
The civil war is, therefore, over, and, so fal
as the functions OF the Executive extend, al
the extraordinary powers which state of wal
makes it proper to exercise are now to cease
s'This proclamation has been expected for 8
considerable time past, and is in perfect agree
ment with the views Of Mr.. Johnson, as often
expressed in his official messages and other
wise. 1t would be difficult to controvert any
Of the positions he lays down-such as the in
congruity OF system of military occupation
with our institutions-thep policy of using per-
suasiYe methods to strengthen the renewed
allegiance of the late rebel states, and bring
them back to a friendly understanding with
those which remained loyal, and other posi-
tions of a like character. Yet we cannot help
feeling no little anxiety for the peace of the
southern states, if the military, which now
in many places holds disorder in check, shall
be withdrawn, as of conrse it must be- We
hear the blacks in Wilmington armipg to
|
to be whipped without being permitted to pro-
duce the testimony of colored men in their
defence, we hear of a man named Harper, the
chief of a gang of desperadoes in Sumpter
county of Tennessee warning the loyal inhab-
itantS to leave the county on peril Of their
lives, while the governor of that state himself
implores the President not TO withdraw tine
troops of the United States. These are not by
any means the only indications of an unsettled
state of things in that region. All over the
South society is like an ocean after tempest,
heaVing and tossing tumultuously and casting
up to the surface the mire Of its bed. Old
prejudices, though in some they may have
been nltigated cannot be suddenly laid aside
animosities assduously fomented through
years cannot at once be exchanged for amlc-
able sentiments a population ezcitable, and
ferocious in the moment ofexcitement, cannot
at once become mild and forbearing
1t is fortunate, therefore, that this procla-
nation has been issued now, while the Civil
Rights bill is yet before the legislature. The
responsibility from which the military power
Of the nation has released itself must now be
borne by the civil power. The federal legis-
ltture is now called upon TO do its part in
providing a speedy remedy for those viola
tions of the rights Of citizenship, which will
Inevitably, in the present state OF the southern
country, be perpetrated, and for which the
local courts would be certain to afford no
redress The members of Congress by whose
votes the bill will be either enacted or Ge-
feated, cannot now say to their constituents
that there is a military fore in the late seat
of the revolt, charged with the duty of pre-
serving the peace and seeing that the rights
of the colored race, and those OF the men who
remained faithful to the Uuion. are respected.
The people will row look to Congress for the
maintenance of the principle that they who
owe allegiance to the federal government,
who contribute of their earnings to its sup
port, and who must hold themselves ready to
defend it against the assaults of its foes, are
entitled TO the security Of their rights, under
the shelter of its power. No member of Con
gress who supported the bill at first can now
change his vote without the certainty of all
unpleasant meeting with his constituents en-
returning to his home.