Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-04-03
PEACE PROCLAIMED.


try this day TIT the President Of the
states has proclaimed the existence of
zee throughout the land. Just one yea- sro
ss-J-day the armed hosts which threatened our
existence as nation, marched out Of the Capt.
tai which they had defended with such skin
and yigor. virtually abandoning the contest
they had so obstinately waged against the 81 =.
premacy of the Constitution and laws. and
from that time the military prestige of the re.
bellion was broken. But a storm which
mad ragged so fiercely left its traces
Disahection, lawlessness and crime, the usual
concomitants of civil war, prevailed in MANY
places In the South, when the tramp of armies
was no longer heard, and the bloody struople
OF the contestants had ceased A better tone
gradually succeeded, and the country will
warmly welcome the Official proclamation of
peace not because it alters the existing state
OF society or politics, but because it is q culml.
nation of the policy of the Government of the
United States from the beginning Of the insur.
rection to its overthrow and final suppres ion:
and was the anxiously expected, because
necessary step, to an ezrly ard complete res
toration of the Union. This is why the proc
iama'ion will rejoice the heart of every true
patriot
We commend to our readers q careful peru
sal OF this able State paper, which recapitu
iates the various proclamations of the lament
ed Lincelni the resolution Of Congress in 1861,
''that TINS war is not prosecuted on our part in
any spirit OF oppression nor for any purpose of
conquest or subjugation, nor purpose Of over.
throwing or interfering with the rights or es-
tablished institutions of those States, but To
defend and maintain the supremacy of tbs
Constitution and ali laws made in pursuance
thereof, and TO preserve the Union with all
the dignity, equality and rights OF the several
States unimpaired; that as soon as these obiecis
are accomplished tie war ought to CEASE,
and other action, all tending to the same enc.
and that end, the national unity. Who Will
dissent from the fundamental principle of
Government so forcibly stated by the Pref
dent, ''that people who have reyolted and
VINO have been overcome and subdued, must
either be dealt with SO as TO induce them VOL
unfairly 10 become friends, or else they must
be held by absolute military power, or deyas.
tated, 50. as 10 prevent them from ever doing
harm rs enemies. which last-named policy is
abhorrent TO hums nlty and freedom !'
What American heart does not beat respon
sive to the sentiment that s'standing armies.
military occupation, martial law military
Tribunals, and the suspension Of the privilege
OF the writ OF hGbeds corpus are, in time of
peace, dangerous 10 public liberty, incompati-
bic 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, 10 be sane.
toned or allowed, except in cases Of actual
necessity, for repeiling invasion or suppressing
instruction or rebellion!
Let the honorable peace we have attained
be attended with mercy, forbearance, and good
will; and all will yet be well, and this forth.
nate day usher in others yet more glorious for
our redeemed and purified country.