1. a proclamation is an official notice published by one high in authority, for the purpose of giving reliable and authoritative[579] information to the people that something has been done, or will soon be done, which is important for them to know, that they may act, or refrain from acting according to the information contained in the proclamation. these proclamations are made known to the country through the most extensive channels of information that can be used for conveying intelligence to everybody in the republic. in our day, and in our country, the newspapers are the best means that can be used for this purpose. but in ancient times, and before the art of printing was known, swift riders or runners were dispatched to every part of the kingdom or country over which the proclamation was to be made known. these messengers carried it with them, and proclaimed it in the ears of all the people.
2. these documents are official acts brought before the people in due form and solemnity. sometimes they are only recommendations; at others they have all the force of organic law, or the acts of congress.
it has, for some years, been the custom of the executive to designate some day toward the close of the year as a day of thanksgiving, recommending the day to be observed in a religious manner. important changes in the commercial affairs between us and some foreign country are made known by the same method.
3. a memorable proclamation was made by president lincoln, in 1862, by which he made known to the country, and especially to the southern states, that if they continued their war against the united states for one hundred days after its issuance, he would then, in virtue of his authority as commander-in-chief of the army and navy, liberate the slaves in all the seceded states. at the expiration of the time, which was on the first of january, 1863, he issued another proclamation, in and by which he did emancipate all the slaves in every state which had warred against the united states government.
the blockading of our ports at the commencement of the civil war, and the imposition of an embargo upon our shipping,[580] previous to the last war with england, were both subjects which brought out proclamations from the president who then filled the executive chair.
4. the above examples show the character of the cases which cause proclamations to be issued. in some instances they have the authority of law; in others they are merely recommendations; and in others only communicate important intelligence in regard to our public affairs at home or abroad.
