Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-17
THE PROCLAMATION ENJOINING
SUPPORT OF THE LAWS.


tive issued on the Sd inst, reciting the
duty Of strict observance Of the laws,
and admonishing against their infraction
on the part Of civil and military officials
under any plea whatever, is to be followed
by circulars from the heads of depart
ments to their subordinates of every
grade, calling special attention to its
mandates, and requiring rigid compli-
ance Herewith. As we remarked on the
day Of its publication, it is strange that
the Chief Executor Of the laws should
deem it necessary to address such paper
to the American people; but the utter
Generalization that Radicalism has
spread through the public mind is so
manifest and fragrant, and the evidences
of licentious spirit, hooking at law and
the forms Of law, so rife on every hand,
that it must be esteemed seasOnable and
wholesome The hope of the country is
in the yigor of the arm of the President
Let him hold every official from the hum
blest to the highest, to the strictest ac-
countability, and stand ready to arrest
characterization in whatever form it may
appear
The following are the instructions, in
the form of circulars, addressed to the
Attorney General, Secretary Of State, Sec
rotary of the Treasury and Secretary of
the Navy:
Circular to all District Attorneys and Mar
8ldis Of the United States and to all their
respectiue Assistants and Deputies, and to
all persons holding any official relation to
the Attorney Generals Office.
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, 10th
September l867.-SIR: | herewith furnish
you with an official copy Of the proclama-
ton of the President of the United States
dated the Sd inst, and in the ninety-second
year of American independence. &
This proclamation recites in brief the
obligations Of loyalty to the republic and
was intended to admonish you, in common
with all persons holding any place of
honor, trust or profit, civil or military, at
home or abroad, under the United States
Of America, and all good citizens thereof,
that the constitution of their country is in
force, and that the government Hereunder,
with its several coordinate branches, le-
gislatiye, executive and judicial, is the
only lawful government for this republic,
Notwithstanding that many well-meaning
citizens have, in consequence of disturbing
events that are now happily past, come to
look with indulgence upon false and dan
gerous pTetenses that the constitution is not
the supreme law of the land, and also the
most authentic proof of the will of the
people; but that there are powers of gov
eminent outside of the constitution which
may lawfully violate that instrument, and
the laws made IN pursuance of 1t.
All citizens Of the United States owe al
legiance to that nationality, as the same is
embodied and organized in the cOnstiJu-
ton and such amendments thereof as, hav-
ing become expedient in the progress Of
the country, have been duly made and rati-
fed. But in a special manner, all persons
holding Office under the United States are
solemDly sworn to support that constitu-
ton, and also, to bear true faith and ale
glance to the same, and to the government
hereunder; and for the greater number Of
such incumbents at this time, it is known
that they have been retained, or have been
placed, in their respective Offices, upon ex-
press assurances of Jealous loyalty to the
Union, which is taken by all men to mean
a cheerful obedience 10 the proper civil au-
thority of the country. But for the func
tions Of your Office, which are directly con-
nected with the enforcement of the laws
a lively sense of their sanctity and authori-
" is anticipated.
You are requested to acknowledge the
receipt of this communication.
Very respectfully your obedient servant.
JOHN NJ. BTNCKLFT,
Acting Attorney General