Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-10
MISSISSIPPI.
Operation OF the Military Force BiII-
UneeFfaGnfy Of Officers and citizens
Resulting Confession = E@rOclamR-
tfon by the dsOverner.

Operation Of fhe HiEieaFy Force Bill
UneeFfagnfy Of Officers nlsdI citizens
Resulting Confession = EsrOclamR-
tion by the tsOvernsr.
PROCLAMATION.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Jackson, Miss,
April 8, 1867.-Whereas, much painful
anxiety and apprehension exists in the
public mind, resulting from the passage OF
the military bilIp By Congress, and the
general order of General OTd in assuming
command of the military district OF
Mississippi and Arkansas" and whereas,
in some instances the regular administra-
lion of the State government has been un-
settled to such an extent as to cause some
Of the officers of the State to suspend the
functions Of their offices and many citi-
zens are hesitating, while others refuse to
pay their taxes, upon the assumed ground
that the tax collectors are not competent
officers and therefore are not authorized
to receipt for the same and as other evils
and Irregularities may arise from the un-
certainty that exists as to the duties
and responsibilities of officers and
citizens of the State in their present
situation, therefore, deem it
proper to make known that the act of Con-
gress commonly called the military billp
recognizes the existing civil government of
the State. 1t is true that it is declared to
be provisional only, and in all respects sub
ject to the paramount authority Of the
United States-at any time to abolish,
modify, control or supersede the same.
But until change is made in accordance
with the provisions of this law, hereby
give notice to the civil officers of The State
that their relations and responsibilities to
the constitution of the United States, to the
State Of Mississippi and to the people,
remain unchanged, and they will be held
TO strict accountability for the perform
ance of their dnties in carrying out the
provisions Of the laws for the maintenance
Of the civil government, and for the full
and ample protection of all classes of in
hahitants of the State, both white and black,
in all of their rights of person, property,
liberty and religion. And | further
advise and admonish ali good citi-
zens and inhabitants to sustain the
civil officers in maintaining the peace,
order and security of society-to deal
justly and indulgently with each other,
and ihtheir political helplessness, to devote
themselves TO pursuits of industry, and to
the production of those neeessaries of life
for which they are now so dependent upon
the markets of other States, and to offer no
resistance to any steps that may be taken
in the reconstructioA of the State by the
military authority of the United States,
except such as may be authorized by the
courts, under the constitution Of the United
States. Military power may become in
tolerable only when it is placed in the
hands of the vicious and the unjust, which,
happily,is not the case in Mississippi.
The military bill" makes no provision
for the support of the civil government.
Taxes must be collected by the civil officers
to support it and pay its debts, and when
ever any changes are made either in the
civil officers or the duties required of them,
timely notice will doubtless be given and
duly promulgated. -.-.
r q HTrupupEvc