The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-04-04
10 bel In the undisputed exercise % their

to be In the undisputed exercise Of their
official functions and
WHEREAS, There now exists no or
eanized armed resistance of misguided
Sitizens. nor Others, to the authority of
the United in the States of Georgia,
south Carolina, Virginia, North Caro-
lima. Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana,
Arkansas, bIississippian and Florida, and
the laws can be enforced therein by the
proper civil authority, State or Federal,
and the people of the said States are
we'll and loyalty disposed, and have
conformed, or will conform, in their
legislation, TO the condition OF affairs
growing out of the amendment to the
| Constitution of the United States pro-
hibiting slavery within the limits and
| jurisdiction ofthe United States and
WHEREAS, In view of the before re-
cited premises, 1t is the manifest deter
mination of tile American people that
no State ofits own will has the right or
power to go out of or separate itself
| from or be separated from the Amer
lean, Union, and that, therefore,
each State ought to remain and consti-
tute an integral part of the United
States; and
WHEREAS, The people of the several
before mentioned States have, in the
manner aforesaid, given satistact DRY
evidence that they acquiesce In this I'M
portant revolution of the National
Union; and
Fundamental principle of the Govern
ment that people who have reyolted,
and who have been overcome and sub
dued. must be dealt with so as to in
| duce them virtually to become friends,
or else they must be held by absolute
military power, so as to prevent them
from ever again doing harm as enc
mics, which last named policy as alb
horrent to humanity and freedom; and
| WHEREAS, The Constitution of the
United States provides for constitution
al communities only as States and not
as Territories, and provides no protect
crates; and
| WHEREAS, Such constitutional States
must necessarily be, and by the Consti-
tuition and laws ofthe United States are
made equal and placed on a like foot
ing, as to political rights, immunities,
dignity and power with the several
States with which they are united; and
WHEREAS, The observance of politi-
cal equality as principle of right and
justice is well calculated to encourage
the people of the States to be and be-
come more and more constant and per-
severing in their renewed allegiance;
and
WHEREAS, Standing armies, military
occupation, martial law, military tribu-
nails, and suspension of the privilege OF
the writ of habeas corpus, are in time of
peace dangerous to the public interest
and incompatible with the individual
rights of the citizen, contrary to the
genius and spirit of our free institu-
tons and exhaustive of the national re-
sources, and ought not, therefore, be
sanctioned or allowed, except in case of
war, for repelling invaders of suppress
sing instruction or rebellion; and
WHEREAS, The policy of the Govern
ment of the United States, from the be-
ginning of the instruction to its final
suppression, has been in conformity
with the principles here set forth and
enumerated: .s-..- ...r.
Therefore I, Andrew johnson, Presi-
dent of the United States, do hereby
proclaim and declare, that the insurrec-
ton which heretofore existed in the
States of Georgia, South Carolina,
North Carolina, Virginia, Louisiana,
Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas
andIFlorida, is Mt an end, and hence
forth to be SO regarded.
In testimony whereof, 1 have hereunto
set my hand, and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed. Done
at the City of Washington, on the I'd
day of April, in the year of our Lord
1866, and of the independence of the
United States of America. the Goth.
(Signed,) ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President:
wAr. II. SEWARD, Sec'y of State.