The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-09-17
A PROCLAMATION.

Dy tue EfeStue1b oI tue 7ORtUou C5dteS
Icf America.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, In the month of July,
Aano Domias, 1861, the two houses of
Congress with extraordinary unanimity,
solemnly declared that the war then ex-
isting was not waged on the part of the
Government in any spirit of oppression,
nor for any purpose of conquest or sub
|jugation, nor purpose of oyerthrowing
or interfering with the rights or estab
Ilished institutions Of the States, but to
defend and maintain the supremacy of
the Constitution. and to preserve the
Union with all the dignity, equality, and
rights Of the several States unimp aired,
and that as soon as these objects should
be accomplished the war ought to cease;
aud,
WHEREAS, The President of the Uni
ted States on the eighth day Of Decem-
Der, Anno Domini, 1863, and on the
twenty -sith day of March, Anno Domini,
1864, did, with the objects Of suppress
ing the then existing rebellion, Of in
ducing all persons to return to their To-
Icality and Of restoring the authority Of
the United States, issue proclamations
offering amnesty and pardon to all per-
sons who had directly, or Indirectly par
ticipated in the then existing rebellion,
except as in those proclaHations was
specified, and reserved; and
WHEREAS, The President of the Uni
ted States did on tie twenty-ninth day
of may, Anno Donaini, 1866, issue fur
ther proclamation with the same objects
before mentioned, and to the end that the
Eauthority of the government of the Uni
ted States might be restored, and that
peace, order, and freedom might be es-
tablished, and the President did, by the
said ast-mentioned proclamation, pro-
claim and declare that thereby granted
to all persons who had directly or indi-
reetly participated in the then existing
rebellion, except as therein excepted,
amnesty and pardon, with restoration of
all the rights of property except as to
slaves, and except in certain cases where
legal proceedings had been instituted, but
upon condition that such persons should
take and subscribe an cath therein pre-
scribed. which oath should be registered
| for permanent preservation; and
WHEREAS, In and BY the said last
mentioned proclamation of the 29th day
of May, Asno Domiai, 1865. fourteen
extensive classes of persons, therein spe-
cially described, were altogether excepted
land excluded from the benefits thereof;and
WHEREAs, The President of the Uni
I ted States did on the I'd day of April
Ammo Domiai, 1866, issue proclamation
declaring that the insurrection was at an
end, and was thenoeforth to beso regard
ed; and
/ WHEREAS, There now exists no or
ganlzed armed resistance of misguided
citizens or others to the authority of the
United States in the States of Georgia,
South Carolina, Virginia, North Carroll.
ma, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Ark.
ansas, Mississippi, Florida, and Texas,
and the laws can be sustained aud en-
forced therein by the proper civil author
lity, State or Federal, and the people oi
said States are we'll and Loyalty disposed,
and have conformed, or if permitted to
do so win conform in their legislation to
the condition of affairs growing out Of
the amendment to the Constitution Of the