Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-12-30

them to their new commander as worthy Of their
love.
On tho 10th, Gen. Banks issued a general
order on assuming the command Of the Depart
ment Of the Gulf and State of Texas, and naming
his staff officers, whose names are already known
ut the north.
Another order directs tho military and civil
officers 10 the Department TO report to him. and
still another suspends the sales Of property on
account Of the United States till further orders.
Gen. Banks wus pushing things with charac.
ieristic energy. Five thousand of the troops
that accompanied him had landed at Baton
Rouge, aud the remainder Of the expedition
would be sent forward as fast as they arrived.
The weather at New Orleans was fine, and the
troops were In good health.
On the 18Th, General Banks issued his procla-
nation, as follows;
PROCLAMATION.
Headquarters Department Of the Gulf Nag Or
leans, Dec 16h.--In obedience to orders from
the President assume command Of the Depart
ment Of the Gulf, to which is added by special
order the State of Texas.
The duty with which am charged REQUIRES
me TO assist In their restoration to the govern
ment OF the United States. 1t is my desire to
secure to the people Of every class ali the prvi-
eges of possession and enjoyment which Is con-
sistent with the peoples safety or which IL is
/
confer In the execution OF the high trust with
which | am charged, rely upon the co-opera-
ton and counsel of all loyal and we'll disposed
people, and upon the manifest interests Of those
dependent upon the pursuits Of peace, as well as
upon the support Of the naval aud land forces.
My instructions require me to treat as enemies
those who are enemies, but shall gladly regard
MS friends those who are friends. No restrictions
will be placed on the freedom OF individuals
which are not imperatively demanded by con-
siderations OF public safety, but whilo their
claims will be literally considered II Is due also
to them to state that all the rights of tho gov
ernment will be unhinchingly maintained The
respectful consideration and prompt reparation
will be accorded 10 all persons who are wrouged
in body or estate by those und,r my command
The government does not profit by the pro-
lOngation nf the civil contest or the private or
public suiferings which attend It. Its fruits are
not equally distributed. In the disoyal States
desolation has its empire both ou sea and land.
In the north the wac is an abiding sorrow, but
not yet q calamity. It's cities and towns are in
oreasing in population, wealth aud power The
refugees from the south alone compensate in
great part for the dec nations of battle.
The people Of this department who are disposed
to stake their fortunes and lives upon a resist
auce TO the government may wisely reflect upon
the immutable conditions which surround them.
The Valley of the Mississippi is the chosen seat
| OF popuntoni product, and power on this c)nti-
neni. la a few years twenty-five millions of
people unsurpassed in material resources and
capacity for war will swarm upon its fertile
rivers. Those who assume to set conditions upon
their exodus toAhe Gulf, oouut upon a power
not given to man. The country washed by the
waters Of the Ohio, Missouri and Mississippi can
never be permanently severed. Ii ono eener-
alton basey barters away its rights, immortal
honors will rest upon another that reoaims
them.
Let il never be said that ever the east and the
west mny be separated. Thirty days distance
from the markets Of Europe may satisfy the
wants Of Lou sRua and Arkansas, but il will NOT
answer the demands of Illinois and OHIO The
valley Of the Mississippi will hayc its delta upon
the Atlantic. The ply steal force of the Hes,
will debouch upon lis shores with q power rs re-
sistlcss as the torrents of the great rigors
This country cannot he permanently divided.
Ceaseless wars may drain its blood and treasure
domestic tyrants or foreign foes may gasp
the eceptre OF its power, hut its destiny will re-
main unchanged 1t will DO united. God has
ordained IT, What ayals, then the destruction
of tho best government ever devised by man
the self-adjusting, sef.correcting Constitution Of
the United States.
People OF the southwest, why not accent the
conditions imposed by tue imperious necessities
OF geographical confgurati1n mud commercial
supremacy, and re-establsh your ancient pros
perity aud rcuown? Why not become founders
Of States which ms entrepots md depois Of your
own central and upper valleys may stand ia the
afiuenco Of their resources without superior
and in the privileges Of the people without a
peer among tho nations Of the earth &?
(sgued) N. p. BANKS.
Major General Commanding.