Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-10-08
Allen Enemies.


Allen Enemies.
Although public attention, throughout the
Confederacy, seems, just at this time, TO De nA-
cd upon tho matter Of the departure OF SO n,A'S
alien enemies from within our limits whose
names arc duly published in the newspapers
vet the fact is undeniable hat not one III .e"'
who are so lavish Of animadversions, mas 'aAeh
fine nrecau,ion to examine the provisions OF
tho act Of Congress passed on the sth OF Au-
gust. in reference to this subject By that act
t5s President was authorised to provide for the
removal of persons not permitted to reside
within the Confederate States, and who shall
refuse or neglect to remove therefrom; and TO
establish such regulations in the premises as
the pu5lic safety may require" 1t is known
that INN ediately after the passage Of the act
the President did, by proclamation, require
.sall citizens of the United States to depart
within forty days" Tho number OF such per-
sons that actually retired, in obedience 10
this proclamation is ascertained to have been
very small. They mad only to make a1hdaV't
that they had not taken the oath OF allegiance
to the Confederate Government, and passports
were given them to depart by way Of NASH
Vile.
At tho expiration of the forty days, however,
when it was understood that by an order em-
anatipe from the War Department, persons
had oply to avow' themselves to be alien enc
mics, to be furnished with passports, which
would enable them to leave the Confederacy
via Norfolk and Fortress Monroe, the number
desiring to return to, or to take up their abode
in the North, seems to have increase ed, amount
ing, sometimes, to nearly thirty per day. Andit
is this class OF aliens, consisting, to some extent
of intelligent persons, known to have had OK
tensive business relations with the South,
which has given rise 10 much clalmor and IL
disnation both in the army and among all classes
Of civilians. 1t is alleged that Washington
hung Major Andre for attempting to convey
intelligence to the enemy; while here the gov
ernment itself sends persons, without limit as
to number, or discrimination as to character, IN
open day, from our fortified city Of Norfolk,
every week, to Fortress Monroe, whence they
may reach the headquarters Of Lincoln IN q few
hours. Some of these persons are known TO
have visited all our batteries, camps and hospi.
tails; and a very general apprehension is felt
that disasters may be incurred in consequence
ofthe information they will be enabled to com.
municatc to the enemy. II it may be alleged
that a great moral effect might be produced by
the policy Of au exhibition Of unprecedented
macnanimity, and consciousness OF not only a
righteous cause, bat of ample power to achieve
and maintain i national independence; never
theless, i, may be replied to this, that probably
we cannot afford to run such hazards with an
enemy clearly incapable Of approaching and
reciproca,ing such extraordinary examples of
gcacrosity-an enemy with perhaps superior
numbers on land md with a large navy at sea
blockadins all our ports. That the blood Of
our brave soldiers is too precious to be ven
tured in the desperate game OF diplomatic cour-
tesy with the Lincoln government, when, if
permitted, it would be sure to achieve success
with the sword. These are brief specimens Of
the discussions now heard everywhere.
But let us refer again to the net Of Congress
to which all are willing to render OBEDIENCE
1t prescribes explicitly that all persons, Of the
character referred to, remaining within the
Confederate States after that time, 40 days,)
shall become liable to be treated as alien enc
mics; and the President shall prescribe such
time as may be consistent soith h pu6lic safe.
ty, de-, for their departure. And 1t is made
the duty Of the Courts, land Of the several
Judges and Justices" in compliance with the
regulations prescribed by the President Ito
cause such persons to be duly apprehended,"
land sufficient cause therefor appearing, shall
OF may order such persons to Je removed out
of the territory Of the Confederate States, or
to. be otherwise dealt wiM Or restrained" DC,
"and may imprison or othercise secure them.
And the final section of the act provides that
at shall Le the duty Of the Marshal Of the
District in which any alien enemy or person
offending against the provisions of this act,
shall be apprehended, who by the President Of
the Confederate States, or by order of any
Court, Judge or Justice, as aforesaid, shall be
required to depart, to be rcmanded as aforesaid,
70 execute such order by himself or deputy,
or other discreet person, and for such execution
the Marshal shall have the warrant Of the PTesi'
dent, or the Court or Judge, as the case may
be-"
Thus it will be seen that the act Of Congress
clearly contemplated the removal Of alien en-.
emies from our midst after the expiration Of
the forty days named in the Proclamation
and that 4 wide discretion is conferred on the
President. 1t has occurred to us that ~satisfac.
ton would be afforded, ii the President would
order all such persons to DO confined within
certain limits, where it would BE- out of their
power to obtain intelligence dangerous to the
public safety, and then, after a sufficient guar
antins, to send them AWAY in such lots AID al
such interrals, as might, in his judgment, be
deemed expedient-
~-
Georgiu Eloclion-Joncph &. Brown Re-
elected G~ovcrnor.
Governor Brown is elected for a third term
by a considerable majority, some Of the papers
say twenty thousand or more. The vote fol
Nesbit, in all parts Of the State, seems to fall
below the calculation Of his friends. The
election decide no important principle either
Of State or Of Confederate policy there being
no political issues in the canvass, so far Us we
at this distance, can perceive. Each Of the
-. r - = $3.50 N.
and Stephens for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency, and for the most vigorous wal
measures. We are pleased to see that the pa