Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-02-21
EXECUTIVE ORDER N RELATION
TO STATE PRISONERS.

An important order is issued from the Wal
Department, under date If Feb. II, in rela
/ ton to safe prisoner 1t begins with :
brief rehearsal Of the sudden outbreak anC
formidable character OF the 1ebelhon-th,
apparent paralysis % every department Of III,
Government by treas1r-the detection in the
Senate, the House OF Representatives,, the
Cabiue, ami the Federal C5urts-the betray.
al Of their trusts by military and naval
c5mmandars-by those in the post-ofiee ser
vice and IN the Territorial Governments.
" Not only Governors, judges, legislators
and Ministerial Officers in the States, but even
whole States, rushed one after another, with
apparent unanimity into rebellion. The
capital was beleaguerei and it, connection
with the States cut Of. 90 Societies and inr
diyiduals in loyal parts Of the country were
furnishing the insurgents with military and
naval iorces-Nith men, money, materials OF
war and supplies. Armies, ships, fOrtifca-
tions, navy yards, arscnals. military posts,
and Garrisons, on, after another, were be-
trayed or abandoned to the insurgents. -
Foreign Intervention WAS openly invited by
the abettors Of the Instruction, and had be-
come imminent, and it seemed doubtful
whether the Government had any power to
defend and maintain itself The order con-
clules as follows.
In this emergency the Presi dent felt it hi. duty
20 emI 10y with energy the extraordinary power
which the Constitution confdes to him 10 cases of
instruction. lie called into the field such military
and naval forces authorized by existing laws as
seemed necessary. lie directed measures to pre-
vent the use OF the postoice for reasonable cor.
respondencc. lie subjected those going to and
from foreign countries TO a passport regula.
ton; and he instituted blockade. suspended the
b1bsas corpus in various places. and caused persons
who were represented TO him as being engaged or
about TO engage in disloyal and reasonable prac-
tees, to be arrested by special civil as we'll as
military agencies, and detained in military custo-
dy, when necessary, to prevent them and deter
others from such practices. Examinations Of such
cases were instituted, and some Of the persons so
arrested have been discharged from time to time
under circumstances or upon conditions compati-
bic, as was thought,with the public safety. Mean
time favorable change Of public opinion has &C.
CURED. The line between loyalty and dsloyslty
is plainly oefned. The whole structure Of the
Government Is firm and stable. Apprehensions Of
public danger AID facilities for reasonable prac-
tices have diminished with the passions which
prompted feedless persons 10 adopt them. The
instruction is believed 10 have eliminated and 10
be declining.
The President, II. view of these facts and anx-
ious to favor return to the normal course of the
naturalization, as far as regards faith and the
public welfare will allow, directs that all politi.
cal prisoners, now held in military custody, be
released 90 their subscribing a parole engaging
them TO render no aid comfort to enemies in
hostility to the United States. The Secretary Of
War will, however, in his discretion, except from
the effect Of this Order any persons detained as
spies in the service OF the insurgents, or Others
whose release at tue presest moment may be |
deemed Incompatible with the public safety TO !
all persons who shall be 80 released and shall
keep their parole, the Pfesder; grants an amnes-
ty for any past chsnses Of treason Or disloyalty
which they have committed. Extraordinary ar 1
rests viii hereafter be made under the direction /
Of the military authorities alone
By order If the President,
EIwIy NJ. STASroy
secretary CT W-..