The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-04-06
WHOLE NO. 137.
DEFIANCE.

Another proclamation from the Exec
utive of the Territory: this time in re-
gard to the Laws of Montana. The pre-
amble states that rumors and reports of
the annullment of the three sessions are
in circulation, and that certain persons
have availed themselves of the uncer-
tainty so caused to- refuse obedience to
the same" and no official notification
whatever has been made anywhere" or
received here in regard to the annuIl-
ment; therefore, the said Executive de-
clares that the laws of the second, third
and fourth sessions are still in force.
and are TO be respected, obeyed and exc
cuted as heretofore. He calls on all we'll
affected and loyal people to observe them
and pledges tic E.recVtice oftse TERRITORY.
SO long as it remains In tie hands ofue
present incumbent, TO see that tie same be
eDecuted b tie letter.
The above interesting document eman-
ates from the familiar source of grandil-
oquent proclamations and extraordinary
sessions of the Legislature. Accepting
the assertion that obedience to the bogus
Legislative enactments of the three ses-
sions is being refused, under the rumors
we have of the annul,ing act, the Exec
utive, as Democratic official believing
or affecting to believe. in the validity of
the same, is within the bounds of pru-
dence in requesting obedience to the
same until official notice is received of
their annullment. With the exception
of the presumptive assertion that no off
cidt notification If sUch annuIneht had
been made aayioherc, we could readily
and magnanimously overlook the hostile
feeling that inspired this proclamation.
were 1T not for the concluding sentence.
In this, all the bounds of law, order and
patriotism are overleaped, and the Exec
utive pledges himself, defiantly and un-
reservedly, to enforce all the enactments
of the last three sessions, the acts of
Congress TO the contrary nOtwithstand-
ing. The pledge is incendiary, uncalled
for and defiant. 1t does not REQUIRE
citizens of this Territory to be Republic
ans to denounce without measure the
disloyalty of such an overt act of hostil-
r ity toward the general government 1t
5 is apparently well studied and carefully
: worded. and throws off all control of
Congressional authority, and assumes to
e establish an independent government in
{ Montana. The proclamation is a com
4 pound of contradictions. calling on loyal
{ people to render obedience because ss0
official notification has been received
that certain laws are annulled, and i'm
mediately after pledges the Executive OF
the Territory to enforce their obedience
whether they are or not. This most sur
e prising and outrageous assumption oi
$ power will not be sanctioned by any
:, good citizen who considers it's tendency
h We say, too, until official notification oI
e the annulment of the laws reaches us
d let every loyal citizen pursue the even
: tenor of his way. We do not believe the
d bill has become law but if it has, and
# official notice of the same is received, ii
l. will be a black day for the men or party
n who raise the puny arm of rebellious au
v thority against the Government of the
l. Uuited States, or the enactments of it.
i Congress.