The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-10-27
A PROCLAMATION,
By VIM. w. Holden, Governor of N. Carolina
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, !
Raleigh, October 18th, 1868. j


Information has been received at this department
that military weapons, such repeating rifles OF
various kinds, have been imported into this State
and have been distributed with ammunition and
equipments citizens in several localities. 1t is
believed that boxes containing arms, ammunition and
equipments, concealed in divers places ready to
be distributed as opportunity may offer
The object of the persons thus engaged must be,
either TO subyert the government, to resist the con-
sttued authorities, to prevent free election IN
this State on the third day of next month
The government of North Carolina has been law
fully and constitutionally established. This govern
ment has been freely and voluntarily formed by
majority of the citizens, in pursuance of acts consti-
tutionay passed by the Congress, under which my
immediate predecessor held Office from the ID day of
March, 1867, to the 1st day of July, 1868. The
situtionalty of these acts, if questioned during this
period, were nevertheless subscribed to and main
tanned by him, and by every department of the gov
ernment from the said I'd day of March, 1867 to the
said LIST day of July, 1862 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
lation Them and renders the present Constitution
Of Government valid and binding were the Con-
etitutions of 1IIG and 1880.
This government Will be maintained for the fol-
lowing, among other reasons:
LIST 1t has been lawfully and constitutionally
tablished by the whole people OF the State. 1t is
operating smoothly and tremendously. Under it the
people quiet and peaceahle and are just entering
anew on q career of prosperity. 1t must not be up
SET assaled, because the coOred people have
been allowed vote; because they will vote with
q certain party; because few public men
out of Office and few are in.
I'd. Senators and Representatives have been ad-
mitted by the Congress to seats in that body. The
State is, therefore, of well the Union. 1t s
much of the Union New York or any other
State No State can secede, nor can Congress push
q State out, sever its relations with the common
government. IfCongress should therefore, do what
ia he nStr uctiO
acts, such repeal would have more effect than
repeal Of the act admitting Texas Kansas 10 rep
resentation The reconstruction acts have been exc
cuted, and are therefore, beyond the reach of Con-
gress.
Sd. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction of the
subject Its powers expressly defined by the
Constitution to be '.judical,' 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 to the extingushment of the government of this
State, than | would have to declare that certain
County Counties in this State should cease to exist
The government of North Carolina is, therefore.
firmly established that of any other State. 1t has
the control of the right Of suffrage. and of its
own internal affairs, the other States have; and
1t possesses equal power with the other States pro-
tect and perpetuate itself.
The right Of the people to have in their
houses and to 'bear'' them under the authority of
IL
a constitutional right sacred to freemen. The use
OF arms by the male population. for peaceahe 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 in secret manner among persons whose
epokesmen 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 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
vlgliant. 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 protection 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 1t be the purpose of any portion of the people
In any event to resist the laws to subvert the
eminent they should bear in mind that TREASON is
the highest crime that can be committed: that they
are liable TO arrest and punishment under the ''Act
to punish conspiracy scdion ard rebellion, which
will be enforced, if necessary, with firm hand and
they should reflect that the magnanmity of the gov
eminent, which spared the lives and the estates of
those who engaged in the late rebellion, may be
extended second time to them from the conse
quences of their crimes.
If it be the purpose of any portion of the people,
by the use of arms by threats intimidation,
prevent the people from going to the polls and voting
as they may choose to vote the third day of
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
of 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 afluent |
and the exalted The election be absolutely free
In view, therefore, of this condition of affairs, l
have deemed it my duty to issue this Proclamation |
admonishing the people to avoid undue excitement |
to be peacable and orderly and exercise the right
of suffrage firmly and calmly, without violence or ,
force of any kind. Every good citizen is gratfed |
that North Carolina Is at present quiet and peace
able as any State of the Union. Let us maintain |
this good name for our State. Let frown indig-
nantly on the of brute force brides. threats
TO control the election and let every officer Of the
State, civil and military, be prepared to check in |
stantiy any incipient step to sedition, rebellion
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 sol
tary, to consume those who may resist the authority
OF the government, or who Cypress the defenccless
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 use of will be pre-
vented if possible, and if not prevented, will be
punished; and conspiracy, se,liton and treason will
raise their heads only to be Immediately suhdued by
the strong hand of military power The General |
commanding this department has instructed the dis
trict and post commanders 10 'act in aid and CO.
operation and in subordination 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 is specially enjoned all officers of the De-
tailed Militia 10 observe the organize amitia
of North Carolina ard to act in strict subornation
TO the ciylpower. And all Magistrates Sheriffs and
ether peace officers also specially epjoincd to be
vigilant, impartial faithful and firm in the discharges
of their duties, magnifying and enforcing the law
ferretlng out offenders protecting the weak against
the strong who may attempt 10 deprive them oftheir