The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-02-26
order OF the President I'm Regard Il
state Prisoners.
WAR DEPARTMENT, !
Washington, Feb. IA. 1862. (

w aShih-toht = GU. III ACo..
The breaking out Of a formidable insur-
rection, based on conflict of politics
ideas, being an event without precedent
10 the United States, was necessarily at
tended with great confusion and perplexity
of the public mind. Disloyalty, before
unsuspected, suddenly became bold, and
treason astonished the whole world by
bringing at once into the field military
forces superior in numbers to the stand
ing army of tie United States Every
department of the government was para
lyzed by treason. Detection appeared in
the Senate, in the House of Representa-
tives, in the Cabinet, and in the federal
courts. Ministers aud consuls returned
from foreign countries to enter the insur-
rectionary councils, or land or naval force.
Commanding and other officers in the
army and in the navy, betrayed the coun-
ellis or deserted their posts for commands
in the insurgent force. Treason was
fragrant in the Revenue and Post Office
services, as well as in the territorial gov
ernments, and in the Indian reserves.
Not only Governors, Judges, Legislators
and ministerial officers in the States, but
even whole States rushed. one after an
| other, with apparent unanimity, into re-
bellion. The capital was heleagured, and
its connection with all the States cut off.
| Even in the portions of the country which
were most loyal, political combinations
and secret societies were found furthering
the work of disunion, while, from motives
of disloyalty or cupidity, or from excited
passions or perverted sympathies, indivi-
duals were found furnishing men, money,
materials of war, and supplies to the in-
surgents. Military and naval forces,
armies, ships, military posts and gar.
risons, one after another, were betrayed
or abandoned to the insurgents
Congress had not anticipated, and SC
had not provided for the emergency. The
municipal authorities we're powerless and
inactive. The judicial machinery seemed
as II it had been designed not 70 sustain
the government, but to embarrass and be.
tray it. Foreign Intervention WAS openly
invited and industriousfy instigated by tht
abettors Of the instruction, and it became
imminent and has only been prevented BY
the practice of strict and impartial justice
with the most perfect moderation in oul
intercourse with other nations.
i The public mind was alarmed and APP
prehensive, though, fortunately, not dis,
tracted or disheartened. 1t seemed to bt
doubtful whether the federal government
which one year ago had been thought q
model worthy Of universal acceptance
had indeed the ability to maintain and
defend itself Some reverses, which per.
haps were unavoidable, suffered by the
newly levied and insufficient forces, dis
! couraged the loyal and gave new hope.
to the insurgents. Voluntary enlistment'
seemed to cease and assertions commenced
Parties specula.cd upon the question
whether CONSUMPTION had not become
necessary to fill up the armies OF thu
United States.
i In this emergency the President felt il
his duty to employ with energy the ex
traordinary powers which the Constitution
confides to him in case of instruction. =
He called into the field such military anC
naval forces authorized by existing laws as
seemed necessary. He directed measures
to prevent the use Of the Post Ofie fol
IRRESPONSIBLE correspondence. He subjected
to and from foreign countries new pass.
port regulations, and be instituted block