Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-07-24
THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION-GENE-
RAJ POLK TAKES COMMAND.
Headquarters DiUision No. 2.
MeInnhis Inlv IL 1851

GENERAL ORDER NO. i.
Headquarters DiUision No. 2.
Memphis, July 10, 1861.
Having been assigned TO the charge of the defence
of that part of the valley of the Mississippi which is
embraced within the boundaries of Division No. q l
hereby assume command. All officers on duty with
in the limits will report accordingly.
In assuming this very grave responsibility, the
general in command is constrained to declare his
deep and long settled conviction that the war in
which we are engaged is one not warranted by rea-
son, any necessity political or social of our ex-
listing condition. but that it is ndefensble and of
unparalleled atrocity. We have protested, and do
protest that all desire is to be let alone to repose
in quietness under our own vine and our own fig
tree. We have sought, and only sought, the unds-
turhed enjoyment of the inherent and the indefeasi-
BILE right of selfgovernment- right which freemen
can never renqu;sh and which none but tyrants
could ever seek to wreSt from us. Those with whom
we have been lately associated in the bonds Of pre-
tended fraternal regard have wished and endeavored
to deprive us of our great birthright as American
freemen. Nor is this all. They have sought to de-
prve us of this inestimabe right by merciless war,
which can attain no other possible end than the ruin
of fortunes and the destruction of lives for the sub
jugation of Christian freemen is out OF the question
which has thus no motive except lust or hate,
and object except ruin and devastation under the
shallow pretence of restoration of the Union, is
surely war against heaven, as well as against
hypocrsies ever practiSed an attempt to restore a
union of minds and hearts and WILL like that which
once existed in North America, by the ravageS OF
fire and sword are assuredly among the most prodi
giouS. As as there is righteous Ruler OF the
universe, such must end in disaster to those
by whom it was inaugurated, and by whom 1t is
now prosecuted with circumstances of barbarty,
which it was fondly believed would never more dis
grace the annals of civilized people. Numbers may
be against us, but the battle is not always to the
strong Justice will triumph. And an earnest of
this triumph already behold in the mighty up
rising of the whole Southern heart. Almost as one
man this great section comes to the rescue, resolved
to perish rather than yield to the oppreSsor who in
the name OF freedom, yet under the prime lnsplra-
ton of infidel horde, seeks to reduce eight mil
lions Of freemen to abject bondage and subsection
All ages and all conditions are united in the one
grand and holy purpose of rolling back the desola-
ting tides of invasion and Of restoring to the people
of the South that peace independence and right of
selfgovernmcnt to which they are by nature and
natures God as justly entitled as those who seek
thus ruthlesSy to ensave them.
The General in command having the strongest
confidence in the intelligence and lirmncSS OF pur
pose of those belonging to his department. enjoins
upon them the maintenance of a calm, patient per-
siStent and undaunted determination to resist the
invasion at all hazards and to the last extremity IL
comes bringing with it contempt for constitutional
liberty and the whitening influence of the inIidey
Of New England and Germany combined. Its sue
cess would deprive us OF a future.
The best men among our invaders opposed the
they pursuing at the first, but they have
been overborne and swept into the wake of the pre-
vailing current and now under the promptingS of
their fears or the deusion of idolatrous rever
ence due to a favorite symbol, active as any
in insgating this unnatural unchristian and cruel
war
Our protests, which we here soemnly repeat in
the face of the civilized world, have been hitherto
UNDECIDED. We are left alone under God to the
resources of our own minds and our own hearts-to
the resources of our manhood.
Knowing, as he does those whom he addresses, as
well as those with whom they cooperating
throughout the South, the General in command feels
he may rely upon themwith unwaverng confidence
Let every man. then, Throughout: the land arm him
self in the most effective manner and hold himself
in readiness to support the combined resistance y
which has for its object nothing less than the
security of civil liberty and the preservation Of the
purity Of religious truth is the Of heaven and
may well challenge the homage and service of the
patriot and Christian.
In God is trust.
TC0NInNS pOIE