Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-07-16
THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVIsI0N-GENERkL
..er.r POLK TAKES COMMAND. Ggf
CENTRAL ORDER NO. J..
Hsad9uartUs Division No. 2. I


HsadquartYs Division No. 2.
--l d Memphis, July IL, 1851.
Having been assigned TO the charge Of the defenc. Of
that part of the valley of the Mississippi which en-
bracsd within the boundaries Of Division No hereby
assume command Ali officers on duty within the limits
will report accordingly.
In assuming this very grave responsibility the general
command Is constrained to declare his deep and long
settled conviction that the war 10 which engaged
is one not warranted by reasoo or any necessity po
cal social of existing condition, but that Is In
defensible and Of unparalleled arocity. We have pro-
tested and do protest. that all desire Is to be let
alone to repose in queness under our own vine and our
own fig tree. We have sought, and only sought the
undisturbed enjoyment Of the Inherent and the indie
feasible right Of stfgovernment-s right which free
men can never renqush, aud which none but tyrants
could ever seek to wrest from Those with whom We
have been lately associated in the bonds Of pretended
raerna regard have wished aud endeavored 10 deprive
US OF our great birthrigh American freemen. Nor
is this all They have sought 10 deprive Of this ines
Unable right by msrcless war, which can attain no
other posbl end than the ruin Of fortunes and the de-
slrucon OF lves for the subugaon Of Christian free
men is out Of the question. war which has thus no
motive eIcepiust hate and object except ruin and
devastation under the shallow preten.e of restoration
OF the Union surely war against heaven Is well Is
war against earth. OF all the absurdtes enacted
Of all the hypocces prscts,d attempt restore
union of minds and hearts and will like that vi isb
once existed in North America by the ravages Of Ere and
sword, AsureQy among tDe mo0b proogou As sure
there s righteous Ruler OF the universe such
end in disastr to those BY whom IL inaugura
ted and by whom Is now prosecuted with crcumstan-
ces Of barbarty which Il was ondy believed would new
er more disgrace the annals Of acivzed people, Num-
bers may be against but the battle Is not always TO
the strong. Justice will triumph. And an earn. Of Of
this triumph we already behold IN the mighty uprising of
the whole Southern heart. Almost a. one man this
great section comes to ths rescue resolved 70 perish
rather than yield to the oppressor Who In the Of
freedom, yet under the prime inspiration Of ir lei
horde seeks to reduce eight millions Of reemen to abecs
bondage and subsection All ages and all condtious are
united in the one grand and holy purpose Of rolling back
the desoauDg tides Of invasion and Of restoring TO the
people Of the South that peace Independence and right
Of self government which they BY nature and na.
lures God justly entitled those Who EEK thus ruth
lessly to enslAve them. ~ sril 70
The general In command having the strongest conf
Deuce in the intelligence and hrmness OF purpose Of
those belonging to his department. erjoins upon them
the maintenance Of calm, patient persistent and un
daunted determination to resist the invasion at oil bsxds
and to the last extremity. Il comes bringing with 1t
contempt for constitutional liberty and the wthering in
fuencs Of the infdelty of New England and GERMANY
combined. Is success would deprive US Of future
The best men among invaders opposed the course
they are pursuing the first they have been overbous
and swept into the wake Of the prevailing current and
now under the prompngs Of their ears or the dsusion
OF some dolatrous reverence due to favorte symbol
are as active as say 10 mitigating this unnatural, IN
christian and cruel war.
Oar prot,ss, which We here solsmply repeat 10 The
ane Of the civilized world have been hitherto UNDECIDED
We left alone, under God, TO the resources OF osr
osn minds and our own heaststo the resources O our
manhood. - -.
Knowing, ~ he does those whom Be sddressss = van
q those with whom they cooperating throagnoas ~
South, TIE general In command fssh - nv IVY 'P'A