The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-06-04
A Message from the President
on the War.

ferring to the commencement of hostili-
ties and his exercise of the broad power
of the Constitution to preserve the Cap.
ital of the country during the absence of
Congress. Incidentally to this be refers
to the arrangements with Governor Nor
gan, Alexander Cumming, and others,
with view to speedy and efficient pro-
tective measures. By these means he be-
lieves the Government was prevented from
overthrow. He has no knowledge that a
dollar was lost or wasted.
The President quotes the House reso-
lntion censuring Mr.. Cameron, and says
that not only himself but all the heads
of departments are responsible with Mr..
Cameron for whatever error, wrong or
fault has been committed. The message
was read to the Committee of the Whole
on the State of the Union.
Mr.. Dawes made an exposure of the
financial condition Of the Treasury. to
show that Mr. Voorhees, widely overshot
the mark as to expenditures, &c.
Mr.. Voorhees, spiritedly replied, and
maintained his former position.
The Speaker laid before the House the
following message from the President to
the Senate and House:
The insurrection which is yet existing
in the United States, and aimed at the
overthrow of the Federal Constitution
aud Union. was clandestinely prepared
during the winters of 1860 and 1861,
and assumed an open organization, in the
form of q treas enable Provisional Gov
ernment, at Montgomery, Ala, on the
18th day of February. 1851. On the
18th day Of April 1861, the insurrents
committed the fragrant act of civil war by
the bombardment and capture of Fort
Sumter, which cut off the hope of i'm
mediate conciliation. Immediately after
ward all the roads and avenues to this
city were obstructed, and the Capital was
put into condition of siege. The mails
in every direction were stopped, and the
lines of telegraph cut off by tie insur-
gents, aud military aud naval forces which
had been called out by the Government
for the defense of Washington we're pre-
vented from reaching the city by organ
lied and combined reasonable resistance
in the State of Maryland.
There was no adequate and effective
organization for the public defense. Con-
gress had inde6nitely adjourned; there was
no time to convene it, and it became
necessary for me to choose whether, using
only the existing means,s agencies AID
processes which Congress had provided,
I should let the Government fall into ruin.
or whether. availing myself of the broad
er powers conferred by the Constitution
in case of insurrection, would make an
effort to save it with all it's blessings for
the present age and for posterity. l
thereupon summoned my constitutional
advisers, the heads of Departments. to
meet on Sunday, the Goth day of April,
1851, at the Office of the Navy Depart.
ment, and then aud there, with their
unanimous concurrence, I directed that an
armed revenue cutter should proceed to
sea to afford protection to the commer-
cial marine. especially to the California
treasure ships then on their way to this
coast. I also directed the commandant
of the Navy yard at Boston TO purchase
or charter and arm as quickly as possible
five steamships for purposes of public
defense. I directed the commandant at
the Navy yard at Philadelphia to pur-
chase or charter an equal number for the
same purpose. directed the command
ant at New York to purchase or charter
aud arm ON equal number. directed
Commander Gilles to purchase or charter
and arm, and put to sea, two other ves-
sells. Similar directions were given to
Commander Dupont, with q view to the
opening of passages by water to and from
the Capital.
81 directed the several officers to take
the advice and obtain the aid and efficient
services in the matter of His Excelieuey,
Edwin Morgan, Governor of New York,
or, in his absence. George D. Morgan,
William Evarts, R. NJ. Blatchford, and
Moses H. Grinnell. who were, by my di.
rection, especially empowered by the Sec
retary of the Navy to act for his depart
monC In Inc CEiele, III mottCib poItoiutbS
to the forwarding of troops and supplies
for the public defense. On the same occa
sion 1 directed that Governor Morgan
and Alexander Cummings, of the city of
New York. should be authorized by the
Secretary of War, Simon Cameron, to
make all she necessary arrangements for
the transportation of troops and muni-
tions of war, in aid and assistance of the
officers of the army of the United States,
until communication by mail and tele-
graph should be completely re-established
between the cities of Washington and
New York. No security was required to
be given by them. and either of them was
authorized to act in case of inability to
consult with the other.
"On the same occasion authorized
and directed the Secretary of the Treasu.
ry to advance, without requiring security,
100000 of public money, to John A.
Dix, George Opdyke and Richard M.
Blatchford, of New York, to be used by
eroh ronu;cstiouc