The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-29
Gen. Banks Proclamation.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, Dec. is, 1862.

| HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, Dec is, 1862.
In obedience to orders from the President, |
have assumed the command of the department OF
the Cult, to which is added by his special order
the State of Texas. The duty with which | am
charged, requires me to assist in the restoration
of the Government of the United States. 1t is
my desire to secure to the people OF every class
all the privileges of possession and enjoyment Of
property which are consistent with public safety,
or whicn it is possible for benifcent and just
Government to confr. In the execution Of the
high trust with which am charged, rely on the
cooperation and council Of all loyal and we'll dis
posed people, and upon the manifest interest of
those dependent upon the pursuits Of peace as
well as upon the support of naval and land forces.
My instructions require me to treat as enemies
those who are enemies, but shall gladly regard
as friends those who are friends. No restrictions
will be placed upon the freedom of individuals
which are not imperatvely demanded by consd-
eratons of public safety but, while tEar claims
will be literally considered, is dive also TO them
to state that all the rights of the Government will
be unfnchinsly maintained. Respectful consd-
Grafton and prompt preparations viii! be accorded
to all persons who are wronSed in body or estate
by those under my command. The Government
does not profit by the prolongaton of civil con-
test, or the private or public sufferings which at
tend it. Its fruits are not equally distributed. In
the disoyol States, desolaton has empire on the
sea and on the la i. In the North, the war is an
abiding sorrow, but not yet calamity. It's cities
and towns are increasing in population, wealth
and power. The refugees from The South alone
compensate in great part for the terrible decl-
nations Of battle.
The people OF this department who are disposed
TO stake their fortunes and lives upon resistance
to the government, may wisely reflect upon the
immutable conditions which surround them. The
valley of the Mississippi is the chosen seat of pop
uiation, production, and power on this continent.
In few years, twenty.mllllons of people, unsur-
passed in material resources and capacity for
war, will swarm upon The fertile rivers. Those
who assume to set conditions upon their exodus
TO the Gull, count upon power not gwen TO
man.
The country washed by the waters of the Ohio,
the Missouri, ard the Mississippi, can never be
permanently severed. If one geneneraon basely
barters away its rights, immortal honor will rest
uron another that recIaims them. Let it never
be said either that the East or the West may be
separated. Thirty days distance from the markets
Of Europe may satisfy the wants of louisiana
Of Illinois and Ohio. The Valley Of the Missis-
sippi will have its deltas upon the Atlantic. The
physical force of the West will debouch upon It's
shores with power as resistess as the torrents Of
its giant rivers. Tbs country cannot be perma-
nently divided. Careless wars may drain its
blood and treasure, domestic tyrants or fore On
foes may grasp he sceptre Of its power, but its
destiny remains unchanged. 1t will still be united.
God has ord ,ined IT, w hat ayas. then the de-
slruction of the best government ever devised by
man, the sel-adj usting, Sc icorrecng Constitution
OF the United State,
People of the southwest! Why not accept the
conditions imposed by the imperlous necessity of
geographical contisuration and Commercial! su pre-
macy and re-establlsh your prosperity and re-
nown ? Why not become the founders of States
which as the entrepote and Gepots of your own
central and upper valleys, may stand in the attlu
sDce OF Their resources without a superior, and
in the privileges Of the people, without u peer
among the nations Of the earth ?
(Sgned) y. =. BANKS.
Maj. Gen. Com.