The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-09-10
by the President
Concerning the maintenance Of
Civil Law Against Military
UsurpdiOlH


Concerning the maintenance of
Civil Law Against Military
UsiiFpdiOHn
WHEREAS, BY the Constitution Of the
United States the executive power is
vested in President of the United States
of America whoi bound by solemn oath
faithfully to execute the Office of Presi-
dent and to the best of his ability. to
preserve, protect, and defend the Constr
tuition Of the United States, and is bv
the same Instrument made commander in
Chief Of the Army and Navy. of the
United States, and is required to take
care that the laws befaithfully executed,
and
WHEREAS, By the same Constitution it
is provided that the said Constitution,
and the laws oe the United States which
shall be made in pursuance thereoe, shall
be the supreme law of the land, and the
Judges in every State shall be bound
thereby; and.
WHEREAS, In and by the same Consti-
tuition the judicial power of the United
States is vested in one Supreme Court,
and in such inferior courts as Congress
may from time to time ordain, and estab-
lish, and the aforesaid judicial power is
declared to extend to all cases in law, and
equity, arising under the, Constitution,
the laws of the United States, and the
treaties which shall be made under their
authority; and,
WHEREAS, All officers, civil and mil
itary, are bound by oath that they will
support and defend the Constitution
against all enemies, foreign and domestic
and will bear true faith and allegiance
TO the same: and,
WHEREAS, All officers Of the army
and navy of the United States in aceep-
ting their commissions under the laws
of Congress and the Rules and Articles
Of War, incur an obligation to observe,
obey, and follow such directions as they
shall from time to time receive from the
President, or the general, or other supe-
rior officers set over them according to
the rules and discipline of war; and
WHEREAS, It is provided by law that
whenever,by reason of unlawful obstruct-
ions, combinations, or assemblages of
persons, or rebellion against the authority
Of the government of the United States,
| it shall become impracticable in the julg-
ment of the President of the United
States to enforce, by the ordinary course
of judicial proceedings, the laws of the
United States within any State or terri
tory, the Executive in that case is au-
thorized and required to secure their faith
full execution by the employment of the
land aud naval forces; and
WHEREAS, Impediments and obstruc-
tions serious in their character have re-
Gently been interposed in the States of
North Carolina and South Carolina hin-
dering and preventing for a time a prop
er enforcement there of the laws of the
United States, and of the judgments and
DEGREES of lawful court thereof, in dis.
regard Of the command of the President
of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Reasonable and well found.
ed apprehensions exist that such ill-ad-
yised and unlawful proceedings may be
again attempted there or elsewhere.
Now, therefore, /, Andrew johnson,
President of the United States, do here
| by warn all persons against obstrueting
or hindering in any manner whatsoever
the faithful execution of the laws, and
do solemnly enjoin and command all
officers Of the governments, civil and mil
itary, to render due submission and ODE.
dience to said laws, and to the judgments
and decrees of the courts of the United
States, and to give all the aid in their
power necessary to the prompt enforce
ment and execution of said laws, DEGREES
Judgments. and process, and | do hereby
enjoin upon the officers of the army and
navy to assist and sustain the courts and
other civil authorities of the United
States. in a faithful administration of the
laws thereof, and in the judgments, de-
crees mandates, and processes of the
courts of the United States. And I call
upon all good and well-deposited citizens
| of the United States to remember thai
upon the said Constitution and the laws
and upon the judgments, DEGREES, and
processes of the courts made in accordance
with the same, depend the protection Of
the lives; liberty, property and happiness
of the people. And Iexhort them every.
where to testify their devotion to theil
country; their pride in its prosperity and
greatness, and their determination to
upheld its free institutions by a hearty
co-operationiin the efforts of the govern
ment tosustain the authority Of the law,
to maintain the supremacy Of the Federal
Constitution, and to preserve unimpaired
the integrity Of the National Union.
In testimony Whereof I have caused
the seal Of the United States to be affxet
to these presents, and sign the same witt
my hands
Done at the city of Washington, the
third day of September, in the year ont
thousand eight hundred and sixty -seyen
ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President.
William Fl, Seward, Secretary of State
Gen. Grant had issued an order to dis.
Itrict commanders forbidding the reap
[ 4,ra,t sof onv doroeod Stofa o43scors