Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-09-10
Proclamation of the President Enforcing
Respect for the United States Courts
Decisions in the Military Districts

PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, by the Constitution of the United
States the executive power is vested in Pres
ident of the United States of America, who is
bound by solemn oath faithfully to execute the
Office of President to the best Of his ability to
preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution
of the United States, and is by the same instru-
ment made Commander-in-chiefo Of the army
and navy of the United States, and is required
to take care that the laws be faithfully executed
and whereas by the same Constitution it is
provided that the said Constitution and the laws
of the United States which shall be made in
the land, and the Judges in every State shall
be bound thereby and whereas in the same
Constitution 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 establish, and the aforesaid
judicial power is declared to extend to all cases
in law and equity arising under the Constltu-
ton, the laws of the United States, and the
treaties which shall be made under their author
ity ; and whereas all officers, civil and military
are bound by oath that they will support and
defend the Constitution of the United States
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 accepting their commits
sions under the laws of Congress and the rules
and articles of war, incur an obligation to obey
and follow such directions as they shall from
time to time receive from the President, or the
General, or other superior officers set over them,
according to the rules and discipline of war !;
and whereas it is provided by law that when
ever, by reason of unlawful distractions, COM
binations, or assemblages of persaps, or rebel
lion against the authority of the Government of
tod a. cbol1 hon Il
in the judgment 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 territory, the Ex-
ecutive, in that case, is authorized and required
to secure their faithful execution by the employ
ment of the land and naval forces and whereas
impedlments and Instructions, serious in their
character, have recently been interposed in the
States Of North and South Carolina, hindering
and preventing for time proper enforcement
there of the laws Of the United States and of
the judgments and DEGREES of lawful court
thereof, in disregard of the command of the
President Of the United States; and whereas
reasonable and well-founded apprehensions exist
that such ill-advised and unlawful proceedings
may be again attempted there OF elsewhere:
Now, therefore, |, Andrew johnson, Presi-
dent of the United States, do hereby warn all
persons against obstructing or hindering in any
way whatever the faithful execution of the Con-
stitution and the laws; and do solemnly enjoin
and command all officers of the Government,
civil and military, to render due submission and
obedience to said laws, and to the judgments
and DEGREES of the courts of the United States,
and to give all the aid in their power necessary
to the prompt enforcement and execution OF
such laws, DEGREES, judgments, and processes
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 faithful administration of the laws thereof,
and in the judgments, DEGREES, mandates, and
processes of the courts of the United States,
and [ call upon all good and well-dsposed citi-
zens Of the United States to remember that up
on the said Constitution and laws, upon the
judgments, DEGREES, and processes OF the courts
made in accordance with the same, depend the
protection of the lives. liberty, and property and
happiness Of the people; and L exhort them
everywhere to testify their devotion to their
country, their pride in its prosperity and great
ness, and their determination to uphold its free
institutions by hearty cooperation IN the Ell
forts Of the Government to sustain the authorl-
ty Of the law, to maintain the supremacy OF the
Federal Constitution, and to preserve unlm-
paired the integrity Of the National Union.
In testimony whereof have caused the seal
of the United States to be affixed to these
presents, and sign the same with any hand.
Done at the city of Washington the Sd day of
September in the year 1867.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President
SEAL Walhana IL. ,SeWdrd
Secretary Of State.