The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-11-03
A PROCLAMATION,
By VIM. W. Holden, Governor of N Carolina.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, !
Raleigh, October 18th, 1868 I
Information has been received at this department
that military weapons, such as repeating rifles O
various kinds, have been imported into this State
| and have been distributed with ammunition ano
equipments to citizens in several localities. 1t il
believed that boxes containing arms, ammunition anG
equipments are concealed in divers places ready t.
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. Pr
The government of North Carolina has been law
fully and constituionally established. This govern
ment has been freely and voluntarily formed by a
majority of the Citizens in pursuance of consti
tuionally passed by the Congress, under which my
immediate predecessor held office from the I'd day of
March, 1867, to the 1st day OF July, 1868 The
stltutloaay OF these acts, Ii 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 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 Constitution, and for
members OF Congress and State officers, the result
which has been effected closes the discussion in re-
latlon to them and renders the present Constitution
of Government valid ard binding as were the Con-
sttutions of 1916 and 1885.
This government will oe maintained for the fol
lowing among other reasons
lst 1t has reen lawfully and constitutonally es-
tnbilshed hy the whole people of the State 1t is
operating smoothly anu tremendously. Under it the
people are quiet and peaceable, and just entering
ane" on career OF prosperity. 1t must not be up
Set assailed because the colored people have
been allowed to vote; because they will vote with
certain party or because a few public men are
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 as well the Union 1t is
as much of the Union New York or any other
state No State can secede, nor can Congress push
a State out, its relations with the common
government. If Congress should therefore do what
is exceedingly improbable, repeal the reconstruction
acts, such repeal would have more effect than
repeal Of the act admitting Texas or Kansas to 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 81 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 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 exist
The government of North Carolina is, therefore as
firmly established as 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
it possesses equal power with the other States to pro-
tect and perpetuate itself
The right Of the people to have 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 population for peaceable and
lawful purposes should rather be encOHra ged than
but when, in time Of peace weapons of t
an extraordinary character imported into the |
State by political organizations, and deposited and !
distributed in secret manner among persons whose |
spokesmen deny the authority of the existing govern
ment, and who publicly declare that all government
10 be authoritative and binding, must proceed alone
from of our people, state Of affairs is at
once constituted which renders it the duty of every
oflcer and every citizen to be more than usually ,
T'giiant. 1t can not be pretended that these arms
ire intended for hunting sporting purposes. 1t
IAN not be justly assumed that they necessary
or the protection Of those who have them, since the
whole power of the State and general governments
pledged to protect the peaceable and the law abid
ng, whoever and wherever they may be.
IL 1t be the purpose Of any portion of the people
any event to resist the laws TO subvert the
rnment they should bear in mind that TREASON is
he highest crime that be committed: that thew
re liable to arrest and punishment under the 'sAct
o punish conspiracy, sediton ard rebellion, which
VIII be enforced II necessary, with firm hand; and
hey should reflect that the magnaniniy of the gov
rnment, which spared the lives and the estates of
hose who engaged in the late rebellion may not be
Xtended a second time save them from the conse-
uenccs of their crimes.
If it be the purpose of any portion of the people,
y the use of arms, or by threats intimidation to
reven the people from going to the polls and voting
S they may choose to the third day of next
lonh 1t is my duty to inform them that force will
e met with force, and that every person who may
hus violate the law will be punished Every race
men IN this State is free The colorcd citizen is
qualify entitled with the white citizen the right
suffrage. The poor and the humble must be
rejected IN this right equally with the afflHent
nd the exalted The election be absolutely free
In vew therefore, of this condition of affairs l
ave deemed 1t my duty to issue this Proclamation
dmonishing the people to avoid undue excitement
be pcacabe and orderly, and to exercise the right
suffrage firmly and calmly, without violence or !
'rce OF any kind Every good citizen is gratifed |
lat North Carolina is at present as quiet and peace
bic as any State of the Union. Let us maintain
lis good name for State. Let us frown indir-
anty on the of brute force or brides orthreats
control the election; and let every officer of the ,
tate, civil and military be prepared to check in
antly any incplent step to sedition, rebellion or
eaSon
The flag of the United States waves for the pro-
elton Of ALL Every star upon it shines down with /
tai hre into every spot howsoever remote or soli-
ry, to consume those who may resist the authority
the government, who Cypress the defenceless ,
I'd the innocent. The State government will be
ainalned the laws will be enforced; every citizen
hatever his political sentiments, will be protected
his rights: the unlawful use Of arms will be pre- "
'ned, If possible and if not prevented, will be
lnishe' and conspiracy, sediton and treason will
Use their heads only to be immc ely eubtiued y
c strong hand of nrilitary power The General
this department has instructed the dis
let and post commanders to ''act in aid and CO.
eraton, and in subordination to the civil auhori-
IS, in maintaining the peace and in securing free
cc!ion. The power of both governments is thus G.
edged to peace, order and tranquility.
Ii is specially enjOined all officers of the De-
lied Militia to observe the to organ q militia
North Carolina, ard act in strict subordination
the civil power. Au, all Magistrates ShcritFs and
her peace ohcers are also specially enjoined to be