Transcript
Proclamation By The Governor of Florida To The People of The State of Florida
Whereas it is evident that agitators in the State are imperiling the public peace through their evil counsellings and that men of high standing and influence in the estimation of certain classes of the people are seeking to bring the laws into contempt, thereby inciting to a disturbance of the tranquility of society and to civil commotions, under the constitutional obligations resting upon me, "to see that the laws are faithfully executed," it becomes my duty to take special notice of these dangerous proceedings and seductive artifices with which the public mind is assailed and to warn citizens against the bitter consequences in which they may thus become involved, violating the laws, subverting order and convulsing society.
The immediate occasion seized upon by those disaffected towards the government and seeking to engender agitation, disquieting the public mind, is associated with the enforcement of the collection of the taxes under the "Equalization Act" passed by the Legislature of the State at its last session, in accordance with the imperative requirements of the Constitution. Taking advantage of the diminution in the cotton crop and
other products of the soil by reason of the unfavorable seasons, causing a more than usual monetary pressure and rendering the burden of the taxes under the "Equalization Act" apparently oppressive, and seeing the opportunity thus presented for stirring up opposition to the administration of the laws and encouraging seditious sentiments towards the government, it is pretended that certain constitutional formalities were not observed by your representatives in the Legislature in the passage of the "Equalization Act," and therefore that the act itself is null and void and cannot be rightfully enforced, leaving citizens to infer that there is really no obligation upon them, under the law, to pay their taxes.
To this it is only necessary to say that were the fact as alleged the taxes must still be paid, for an act of the Legislature, approved by the Executive, as this act has been, and recorded in the State Department among the archives of the government, is absolute law binding upon every citizen, and is not to be infracted or opposed in its execution with impunity, nor will it be while I hold the executive power of the State, until, by a case legitimately arising and legally brought before the Supreme Judiciary, it shall have been declared unconstitutional, or until repealed by the lawmaking power itself.
Even after a case has been duly brought before the Supreme Judiciary involving the constitutionality of an act of the Legislature properly approved and recorded, no one is at liberty to question its binding authority as law until fully adjudicated and pronounced against by that august tribunal. Nor can its sanctity be invaded even under a motion in the Legislature for its repeal, until the motion has prevailed in both Houses and met the Executive sanction. Herein may be seen not only the proper mode of testing the authority and force of an act of the Legislature at law, but also the perilous attitude in which citizens might thoughtlessly place themselves, by yielding [too] hastily to the passionate appeals and cunning designs of the political demagogues, too often intent alone upon schemes of personal aggrandizement, regardless alike of the peace and good order of society and of the majesty of the laws.
Nor is it in this connection unworthy of consideration that at the formation of the Constitution which now peremptorily enjoins upon me the enforcement of the laws, some of those citizens were brought into my counsels and those of the Convention framing that fundamental instrument of government who seem now most prominent in the wild clamor that alarms the peace of the State through opposition to an act of the legislature made under its provisions, and that, after the people
by their suffrages had sanctioned and ratified as their own this rule of government, and by their votes had elevated me to the gubernatorial chair, in the arrangement of my Cabinet officers I sedulously sought to respect the feelings and sentiments of these very citizens by avoiding all invidious distinctions between citizens and gave place by any side in the administration to representative men from each and every element of the population, thus endeavoring to harmonize all hearts and minds, and to conduct the public counsels through the united wisdom of the whole to the best and wisest ends. But while Patriotism and Virtue hailed the propitious moment as ominous of a happy and prosperous future, personal objects and ambitious designs soon intervened with jarring discord to arouse private jealousies and party strife, blasting to the hopes so auspiciously entertained. Until citizens shall forego the rancor and hate associated with the past, and agree by general consent to unite for the public good, yielding up on the altar of the country old prejudices, there can be no redemption from the woes that afflict society and jeopard the public security, while suppressing the prosperity and happiness of the people. It is my duty to enjoin upon all this course, so elevating to the heart of man and commendable in the light of Christianity
Now, Therefore I, Harrison Reed, Governor of Florida, under and by virtue of the Constitution of the State and the laws made in pursuance thereof, do solemnly command all citizens to abstain from the infraction of the laws and from all and every act whatsoever that through opposition to the laws, or otherwise, tends to a breach of the public peace; and I imperatively enjoin it upon every one duly to pay to the proper Collectors, when called upon, the taxes imposed and levied upon them under appropriations made by the Legislature for the current year, and as assessed against them through the force of provisions of the act of January 27, AD 1871, styled the "Equalization Act."
Done at the City of Tallahassee this sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and seventy one, and of the independence of the United States of America the ninety sixth.
Harrison Reed
Governor
By the Governor, attest:
Jonathan C. Gibbs
Secretary of State
Listen: The World Program
