Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-12-10

. Al COnSiucEAbk tnO pOiiSy W 10 nNoPNSN
for suppressing the Instruction have
been anxious and careful that the inevitable
conflict for this purpose shall not degener-
ate into violent and remorseless revolu-
tionary struggle. l have, therefore, in
every case, thought it proper to keep the
integrity Of the Union prominent as the
primary object Of the contest on our part,
leaving all questions which are not Of vital
military importance to the more deliberate
action Of the Legislature.
In the exercise of my best discretion,
have adhered to the blockade of the ports
held by the insurgents, instead of putting
in force by proclamation the law Of Con-
eress, enacted Mt the late session, for closing
the ports Also, obeyiDg the dictates of
prudence as we'll as the obligations Of law,
instead of transcending | have adhered TO
the act Of Congress to eonfscate property
used for insurrectionary purposes. If
new law upon the same subject shall be
proposed. its propriety will be duly con-
sidered. The Union must be preserved,
and hence all deGeusible means must lie
employed.
We should not he in haste to determine
what radical and extreme measures which
may reach the loyal as we'll as the disloyal,
are indispensable.
Inc inaugural dt tlc
of the administration, and the message to
Congress ct the late special session, were
both mainly devoted 10 the domestic con-
troyersy out of which the Instruction AID
consequent war have sprung. Nothing
now occurs to add TO or subtract from the
principles or general purposes stated and
expressed in those documents.
The last ray of hope for preserving the
Union peaceably expired at the assault
upon Fort Sumpter, and a general review
OF what has occurred since may NOT be un~
profitable. What was painfully uncertain
then is much better defined and more dis
tinct now, and the progress OF events is
plainly in the right direction. The insurs
gents confidently claimed n strong support
fr,m north of Mason and Dixon's line. aud
the friends Of the Union were notfree from
apprehension On this point This. however,
Vas soon settled definitely, aud on the
right side.
South Of the line, noble little Delaware
led of right from the first.
Maryland was made to seem against the
Union. Our soldiers were assaulted, bridg-
Is were burned, and railroads torn up
within her limits, and we were many days
at one time without the ability to bring a
single regiment over her soil to the capital.
Now her bridges aud railroads are repaired
and opened to the Government. She al
ready gives seven regiments to the cause
of the Union and none to the enemy, and
her people, at a regular election, have sus
tanned the Union by larger minority, in
larger aggregate vote, than the ever be-
fore gave to any candidate or any question.
Kentucky, too, for some time doubtful,
is now decidedly. aud think unchangea-
bly,, ranged ON the side of the Union.
Missouri is comparatively quiet, and
believe cannot again be overrun by the in
surgents.
These three States, Maryland, Kentucky
and Missouri, none of which would prom.
Use single soldier at first, have now an
aggregate OF not less than 10000 in the
field for the Union; while, of the citizens
not more than Il third in number ara among
the insurgents, and they of doubtful where.
abouts and existence.
After q somewhat bloody struggle oil
months, the winter closes on the Union
people Of Western Virginia, leaving them
masters OF their own country.
An insurgeut force of about l,500, fol
months dominating the narrow peninsulal
region constituting the counties of Acco-
mac and Northampton, and known as the
Eastern Shore of Virginia, together with
some of the contiguous parts OF Maryland
have laid down their arms, and the people
have renewed their allegiance to, and ac-
cepted the protection Of, the old flag.
This leaves no armed instruction Nortl
Of the Potomac or East Of the Chesapeake
Also, we have obtained footing at each
or Tue isolated points. on the Southern
coast, of Hatterds, Port Royal, Tybee Isl,
and, (uear Savannah and Ship Island
and lIkpKVISp haya ranarol mi
of popular movements in behalf of the
Union IN North Carolina and Tennessee
These things demonstrate that the cause
of the Union is advancing steadily South,
ward.
Since your last adjournment, Lieut. Gen
Scott has retired from the head of the
army, During his long life the nation has
not been unmindful of his merit; yet, on
calling to mind how faithfully, ably, and
brilliantly he has served his country from
q time far back in our history, when few
Of the now living had been bora, and thence
forward continually, | cannot but thinS
that we are still his debtor | submit
therefore, to your consideration, what fur,
Their mark of recognition is due to him and
ourselves as grateful people.
With the retirement Of General Scott
came the Executive duty of appointing in
his stead u Geueral>in-Chiei Of the armv.
1t is fortunate circumstance that neither
in council nor country was there, SO far as
! know, any difference Of opinion as tc
the proper person TO be selected. The re-
firing Chief repeatedly expressed hi:
judgment in favor OF General Mcclellan
tor the post, and to this the nation seemed
30 give q unanimous consent. The jesig-
nation Of Gen. Mcclellan Is, therefore. IN
considerable degree, the selection Of the
country as well as OF the Executive, aud
hence there Is better reason to hupe there
will be given him the confidence and cor.
dial support thus by fair implication prom
sed, and without which be cannot, with
30 full efficiency, serve the country.
1t has been said that one bad General is
better than two good cues, and the saying
is true, if taken to mean No more than
that an army is better directed by sIugle
mind, though inferior, than by two supe-
rior ones at variance and crcss> purposes
aud the same is true Of all joint operations
wherein those engaged can have none but
common end in view, and can differ oniy
as to the choice of means.
In a storm at SEQ, no one on board can
wish the ship to sink, and yet not unfre-
quently all 90 down together because too
many will direct, and no single mind can
be allowed to control.
1t continues to develop that the insur-
rection is largely, if not exclusively, war
upon the first principle of popular govern
ment-the rights Of the people. Conclu-
sive evidence of this is found in the most
grave and maturely considered public docs
uments, as well as IN the general tone OF
the insurgents.
In these documents we find the abridge-
ment Of the existing right Of suffrage, and
the denial to LIE people of all right to par
ticipate in the selection of public officers,
exceptthe legislative body. advocated, with
labored arguments to prove that large con,