The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-10-20
A PROCLAMATION
By VIM. W. Holden, Governor of N. Carolina.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,


be distributed as opportunity may offer.
The object of the persons thus engaged must be-
either to subvert the government, to resist the
stituted authorities or to prevent free election in
this State on the third day of next month.
The government of North Carolina has been law
fully and constitutionay established. This govern
ment has been freely and voluntarily formed by
majority of the citizens in pursuance of acts cons
tuionally passed by the Congress, under which my
immediate predecessor held Office from the I'd day of
March, 1867, to the lst day of July, 1868 The con-
stitutonaty of these acts, if questioned during this
period, were nevertheless subscribed to and main
| tanned by him, and by every department of the gov
eminent from the said I'd day of March, 1867, to the
said lst day of July, 1868; and now that they have
been executed by the common consent of the whole
people voting under them at the polls for members
of Convention, for the new Constitution, and for
members of Congress and State officers, the result
which has been effected closes the discussion in
laon to them and renders the present Constitution
of Government valid and binding the Con-
situations of 1776 and 1885.
This government.win be maintained for the fol-
lowing among other reasons:
LIST 1t has been lawfully and constitutionally
tablshcd by the whole people of the State 1t is
operating smoothly and tremendously. Jnderit the
people quiet and peaceable and are just entering
anew on a career of prosperity. 1t must not be up
set, assaled because the coored people have
been allowed to vote; because they will vote with
a certain party; or because few public
out of office and a few are in. ..ss.
ID Senators and Representatives have been ad-
mlted by the Congress to seats in that body. The
State is, therefore, Of as well the Union 1t is
much of the Union New York any other
State. No State secede, Congress push
a State out or its relations with the common
government. IfCongrcss should therefore, do what
is exceedingly improbable, repeal the reconstruction
acts, such repeal would have effect than a
repeal of the act admitting Texas Kansas to rep
resentatiOn. The reconstruction acts have been
cuted, and are, therefore, beyond the reach of Con
gress r-- --5@
Sd. The Supreme Court has no jurisdiction of the
subject. Its powers expressly defined by the
Constitution to be judicial" and not political. 1t
has already decided that the question of admission
to representation is political question, and that
when determined by Congress, it has been in rela
ton to North Carolina, the Court will not interfere.
4th. The President would have more power to
declare the reconstruction acts null and void with
view the extingushment of the government of this
| State, than would have to declare that certain
County Counties in this State should cease exist.
The goyernn ent of North Carolina is, therefore,
firmly established as that Of any other State. 1t has
the same control of the right Of suffrage, and of its
own internal affairs, rs the other States have; and
possesses equal power with the other States pro-
tect and pcrpetuate itself. .s
| The right of the people to have arms in their
houses, and to ''bear' them under the authority Of
law, questioned. On the contrary, it is claimed
rs constitutional right sacred to freemen. The
of arms by the male population, for peaceable and
lawful purposes, should rather be encouraged than
! otherwise; but when. in time of peace, weapons Of
an extraordinary character imported into the
State by political organizations, and deposited and
distributed i'll secret manner among persons whose
Spokesman deny the authority of the existing govern
ment, and who publicly declare that all government,
to be authoritative and binding, must proceed alone
from one of people, state Of affairs is at
constituted which renders it the duty of every
| officer and every citizen to be more than usually
/ vigi1ant 1t can not be pretended that these arms
are intended for hunting sporting purposes. 1t
can not be justly assumed that they necessary
for the Of those who have them since the
whole power of the State and general governments
IS pledged to protect the peaceabe and the law abd
| ing, whoever and wherever they may be.
| If it be the purpose of any portion of the people
in any TO resist the laws TO subvert the gov
eminent they should bear in mind that TREASON is
the highest crime that can be committed; that they
arc liable to arrest and punishment under the 'Act
to punish conspiracy, sediion and rebellion, which
will be enforced if necessary, with firm hand; and
they should reflect that the magnanimiy of the gov
eminent, which spared the liz and the estates of
those who engaged in the late rebellion may not be
extended a second time to them from the
qaenccs Of their crimes.
If it be the purpose of any portion Of the people,
by the use of arms, by threats intimidation, to
prevent the people from going to the polls and voting
as they may choose to vote the third day of next
month, it is my duty to inform them that force will
be met with force, and that every person who may
thus violate the law will be punished. Every race
men in this State is free. The colored citizen is
equally entitled with the white citizen the right
| OF suffrage. The poor and the humble must be
protected in this right equally with the atfluent
and the exalted The election must be absolutely free
III view, therefore, condition OF affairs,
have deemed it my duty to issue this Proclamation
admonishing the people to avoid undue excitement,
to be pcacablc and orderly, and to exercise the right
of suffrage firmly and calmly, without violence or
force of any kind. Every good citizen is gratifed
that North Carolina is at present quiet and peace
able any State of the Union. Let maintain
| this good namc for our State. Let frown indg
nantly the of brute force bribes threats
TO control the election; and let every officer of the
State, civil and military, be prepared to check in
stauy any neipient step to sedition rebellion or
| treason.
| The flag of the United States waves for the pro-
lection OF all. Every star upon it shines down with
vital fire into every spot, howsoever remote soil
tary, to consume those who may resist the authority
| of the government, who Cypress the defenceless
and the innocent. The State government will be
maintained; the laws will be enforced every Citizen
whatever his political sentiments, will be protected
in his rights the unlawful OF viii be pre-
vented, if possible, and if prevented, will be
punished and conspiracy, sedition and treason will
raise their heads only to be Immediately subdued by
/ the strong hand of military power. The General
commanding this department has instructed the DIS
triet and post commanders to .'act in aid and
operation, and in slbordnaton the civil authori-
ties, in maintaining the peace and in securing free
election. The power Of both governments is thus
| pledged to peace, order and tranquility.
1t specially enjoined on all officers of the De-
tailed Militia to observe the act to organize a militia
of North Carolina ard act in strict subordinaton
to the civil power And all Magistrates, Shers and
other peace officers also specially enioned to be
ygant, impartial, faithful and firm in the discharge
of their duties magnfying and enforcing the law
ferreting out Offenders protecting the weak against
the strong who may attempt to deprive them heir
rights TO the end that the wicked may be restrain
ed, the peace of society preserved the good
of the State maintained, and the government per-
petuated the basis of Freedom and Justice to ALL
| Done at our City of Raleigh the 18th day
r, OF October, IN the year of our Lord one