The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-10-21
A PROCLAMATION,
By w. w. HOLDEN, Governor of the
State of North Carolina.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,


containing arms, ammunition and equipments
are concealed in divers places, ready TO DC us
tributed as opportunity may offer.
The object of the persons thus engaged must
be- either to subvcrt the government, to resist
the constituted authorities, or to prevent iree
election in this State on the third day OF next
month.
The government of North Carolina has been
lawfully and constitutionally established. This
government has been freely and voluntarily form
ed by majority OF the citizens, in pursuance OF
acts constitutionally passed by the Congress- I'M
der which my immediate predecessor held Office
from the I'd day of March, 1867, to the LIST day OF
July, 1868. The constitutionality of these acts,
ifquestioned during this period, were neverthe-
less subscribed to and maintained by him, and by
every department OF the government, from the
said I'd day OF March, 1867, TO the said LIST day of
July, 1868; and now, that they have been cxecu-
ted, 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 re-
suit which been effected closes the discussion
in relation to them. and renders the present Con-
stitution of Government as valid and binding as
were the Constitutions of 1776 and 1885.
This government will be maintained for the
following, among other reasons:
LIST. 1t has been lawfully and constitutionally
established by the whole people of the State. 1t
is operating smoothly and tremendously. Under
it the people are quiet and peaceable, and are
Just entering anew on career Of prosperity. 1t
must not be upset, or even assailed because the
colored people have been allowed to vote; or be-
cause they will vote with certain party; or be-
cause few public men are out of office and a
few are in.
I'd. Senators and Representatives have been ad
mittcd by the Congress to seats in that body
The State is, therefore, Of as well in the Union
1t is as much of the Union as New York or any
other State. No State can secede nor can Con-
gress push State out Or sever its relations with
the common government. If Congress should,
therefore, do what is exceedingly improbable re-
peal the reconstruction acts, such repeal would
have no more effect than repeal of the act ad-
hitting Texas or Kansas to representation. The
reconstruction acts have been executed, and are,
therefore, beyond the reach of Congress.
Sd. The Supreme Court has no jurisdiction of
the subject Its powers are expressly defined by
the Constitution to be Judicial" and not 70
litical. 1t has already decided that the question
of admission to representation is political qres-
ton, and that when determined by Congress, as
it has been in relation to North Carolina, the
Court will not Interfere.
4th The President would have no more power
to declare the reconstruction acts null and void,
with view to the eXtingushment of the govern
ment of this State than would have to declare
that a certain County or Counties in this State
should cease to exist.
The government of North Carolina is, there.
fore, as firmly established us that of any other
State. 1t has the same control of the right of
suffrage, and OF its own internal affairs, as the
other States have; and it possesses equal power
with the other States to protect and perpetuatc
itself.
The right of the people to have arms in their
houses, and to "bear'' them under the authority
of law, is not questioned. On the contrary, it
is claimed as constitutional right sacred to
freemen. The use Of arms by the male popula-
ton, for peaceable and lawful purposes, should
rather be encouraged than otherwise; but when,
character are imported into the State by political
organizations, and deposited and distributed in
secret manner among persons whose spokes-
men deny the authority OF the existing govern
ment, and who publicly declare that all govern
ment, to be authoritative and binding, must pro-
coed alone from one race of our people,
| state of affairs is at once constituted which
| renders it the duty of every officer and every
| citizen to be more than usually viglant 1t can
not be pretended that these arms are intended for
| hunting or sporting purposes. 1t can not be
justly assumed that they areinecessary tor the
| protection OF those who have them, since the
| whole power of the State and general govern
mcnts is pledged to protect the peaceable and
the law abiding, whoever and wherever they
may be. sf
ii it be the purpose OF any portion of the PEG.
pie in any event to resist the laws or to subvert
| the government, they should bear in mind that
| TREASON is the highest crime that can be COM
mittcd; that they are liable to arrest and punish
ment under the "Act to punish conspiracy, Sc
| diion and rebellion" which will be enforced, if
necessary, with firm hand; and they should
| reflect that the magnanmity of the government,
| which spared the lives and the estates of those
who engaged in the late rebellion, may not be
extended second time to save them from the
| consequences of their crimes.
| Ii it be the purpose of any portion of the peo-
| pie, by the use of arms or by threats or intimi-
dation, to prevent the people from going to the
polls and voting as they may choose to vote on
the third day OF next month, it is my duty to in
| form them that force will be met with force, and
that every person who may thus violate thelaw will
| be punished. Every race of men in this State is
free The colored citizen is equally entitled with
! the white citizen to the right of suffrage. The
| poor and the humble must be protected in this
| right equally with the afluent and the eXalt-
cd. The election must be absolutely free.
In view therefore, of this condition of affairs,
have deemed it my duty to issue this Proclama-
ton, admonishing the people to avoid undue ex-
citement, to be peaccable and orderly, and to ex-
ercise the right of suffrage firmly and calmly,
without violence or force of any kind. Every
good citizen is gratified that North Carolina is
at present as quiet and peaceablAas any State of
the Union. Let us maintain this good name for
our State. Let US frown indignantly on the use
| of brute force, or brides, threats, to control
the election and let every officer of the State,
| civil and military, be prepared to check instant
ly any incipient step to sedition, rebellion or
treason.
The flag of the United States waves for the
protection Of all. Every star upon it shines
down with vital fire into every spot, howsoever
remote or solitary, to consume those who may
resist the authority of the government, or who
Cypress the defenceless and the innocent. The
State government will be maintained; the laws
will be enforced; every citizen, whatever his po-
litcal sentiments, will be protected in his rights
the unlawful use of arms will be prevented, if
possible and if not 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
d strict and post commanders to act in aid and
cooperation, and in subordination to the civil
authorities" in maintaining the peace and IN
securing free election. The power of both
governments is thus pledged peace, order and
tranquility.
1t is specially enjoined on all officers of the
Detailed Militia to observe the ''act to organize
militia of North Carolina" and to act in strict
subordination to the civil power. And oil Magis
| tratns Sheriff. and other neace officers are