Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-12-30
Maj. Gen, Commanding,
7en Banks, Proclamation TO the
People OF the Gulf DepArt ment.
HBApQUARTBRs DRP'T OF THR GuLF,
NEW ORLEANS, December l5.

NEW ORLRAss, December 10.
In obedience to orders from the Presi-
dent, have assumed command of the De-
partment of the Gull, to which is added,
by his special order, the State of Texas
The duty With which I am charged re.
quires me to assist in the restoration of the
Government of the United States. It is
my desire to secure to the people Of every
class, all the privileges of possession and
enjoyment which are consistent with pub
lie safety, or which it is possible for a
benefcient and Just Government to confer.
In the execution Of the high trust with
which ] am charged, roly on the co.op.
GRAFTON and counsel of all loyal and we'll
disposed people, aud upon the manifest in
terest of those dependent upon the pursuits
of peace as we'll rs upon the support of
naval and land forces. Ny instructions re-
Quire me to treat as enemies those who are
enemies; but shall gladly regard ss friends
those who are friends.
No restrictions will be placed on the free
dom Of individuals which are not impera-
lively demanded by the considerations OF
public safety, but while their interests will
be literally considered, it is due to them to
state that the rights OF the Government will
be unfinchingly maintained. Respectful
consideration and prompt reparation will
be accorded to all persons who are wrong.
ed in body or estate by those under my
command.
The Government does not profit by the
prolongation Of civil contests, or the pri-
vate or public suffering which attend il. Its
fruits are not equally distributed. In the
disloyAI States, desOlatiOn has embarked on
the sea and on the land. In the North, the
war is an abiding sorrow, bnt not yet n
calamity. Its cities and towns are increas-
ing in population, wealth aud power. Re-
fugees from the South alone compensate in
great part for the terrible defamation Of
battle.
People Of this department who are dis
posed to stake their fortunes and their
lives upon resistance to the Government,
may wisely reflect upon the immutaGle
conditions which surround them. The
Valley Of the Mississippi is the chosen
scat of population, product and power on
this continent. In few years 25, 600, 900
people, unsurpassed in material resources
and capacity for war, will swarm upon its
fertile rivers. Those who assume to set
conditions upon the exodus to the Gulf
count upon power not given to man.
The country washed by the waters of the
Ohio, the Missouri aad the Mississippi,
can never be permahently severed.
II one generation bGsely barriers away
its rights, immortal honors will rest upon
another that reclaims them. Let it never
be said either that the East and West may
DO separated. Thirty days distance from
the markets Of Europe may satisfy the
wants of Louisiana aud Arkansas, but il
will not answer the demands of Illinois
and Ohio. Tho Valley of the Mississippi
will have its deltss upon tho Atlantic
The physical force of the West will de-.
bouch upon its shores with power az re-
sistless IS the torrents of its giant rivers.
This country cannot be permanently diTi-
dedj ceHseless wars may drain its blood
and treasure; domestic tyrants or foreign
foes may grasp the soeptre of its power,
but its destiny will remain unchauged-it
will still be united. God has ordained 1t.
What aVails then the destruction Of the
best Government ever devised by man
tho self,adjustiug, self-correetiug Consti.
tuition of the United States. People of the
Southwest, why not accept the conditions
imposed by the imperious necessities of
geographical con6guratiou and CONNER.
eial supremacy, and re- establish your an
cient prosperity and renoWn.
Why not become the founders Of States,
which as the entrepots and depots Of your
own central and cpper valleys, may stand
in the aftiuenee of their resources without
superior, aud in the privileges Of the peo-
pie without a peer among the nations Of
the earth.
(Signed) N. P. BANKS,
MAjor-GeneTal Commanding,