Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1862-12-29

General Butter, accom- panied by Colonel
SKATER, Colonel Turner, Major Strong, Major
Bell, Captain Davis, Captain Kenzell and 9th
err members of his staff, were to sail on the
22d for New York. Captain CLARK was to re-
main on duty at New Orleans.
General Banks was pushing things with
characteristic energy. Five thousand troops,
who had accompanied him, landed at Baton
Rouge, and the remainder of the expedition
will be sent forward as soon as they arrive.
The weather at New Orleans was fine, and
the health of the troops good,
PROCLAMATION.
HEADQUARTERS, DEPT. OF THE GULF,
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. l6, 1862.
In obedience to orders from the President,
| have assumed command Of the Department
OF the Gulf, to which is added by his special
order, the State Of Texas. The duties with
which ! am charged, require 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 which are consist
ent with public safety, or which it is possible
for bene6cent and just government TO confer.
In execution of the high trust, with which |
am charged, / rely upon the cooperation and
counsel of all loyal and we'll disposed people,
and upon the manifestations and interests OF
those dependent upon the pursuits of peace as
well as upon the support of the naval and
land forces.
My instructions require me to treat as enc
mics those who are enemies. But | shall
gladly regard as friends those who are friends.
No restrictions will be placed upon the free
dom Of individuals which are not imperative
ly demanded by the considerations OF public
safety. But while their claims will be literally
considered, it ia due also to them to state that
all the rights Of the Government will be un-
hinchingly maintained, Respectful considera-
ton and prompt reparation will be accorded
to all persons who are wronged in body or
state by those under my command. The
Government does not profit by the prolonga-
ton of civil contest, or the public or private
suffering which attends it Its fruits are not
equally distributed. In the d~isloyal States
desolation has empire, on the sea and on the
land. In the North the war ia an abiding sor-
row, but not yet calamity.
Its cities and towns are increasing in pOpula-
ton, wealth and power. The refugees from
the South alone compensate in great part for
the terrible destinations of battle. The peo-
pie of this department who are disposed to
stake their fortunes and their lives upon re-
~sistance to the Government, may wisely re-
fleet upon the immntable conditions which
surround them. The valley of the Mississip.
pi is the chosen soil of population, product
and power on this continent. In a few years
200, 000, 900 Of people, unsurpassed in nation
al resources and capacity for war, will swarm
upon its fertile rivers. Those who assume TO
set conditions upon their exodus to the Gulf
count upon a power not given to man.
The country watered by the Ohio, the Mis-
souri, and the Mississippi can never, be perma-
nently severed, If one generation basely
barters away its rights, immortal honors will
rest upon another that reclaims them. Let
ii never be said either, that the east and west
may be severed. Thirty days distance from
Europe may satisfy the wants Of Louisiana
and Arkansas, but it will not answer the de-
mands Of Illinois and Ohio. The valley of
the Mississippi will have its deltas upon the
Atlantic. The physical force ofthe west will
debouch upon its shores with a power as re-
~slstless as the torrents of its great rivers.
This country cannot be permanently divided.
Ceaseless wars may drain its blood and treas
ure; domestic tyrants or foreign foes may
grasp the scepter of its power, but its destiny
will remain Unchanged. 1t will still be uni
ted God has ordained il. What avails then
the destruction Of the best government ever
devised by man ? The self adjusting, selEeor-
recting constitution of the United States.
People Of the Southwest, why not eccept the
condition imposed by the imperious necessity
Of physical confguration and commercial
supremacy, and re-establish your ancient
prosperity and renown2 Why not become the
founders Of States, which as the entreports
and depots of your W central and upper
valleys, may stand on the afiuence Of their
resources without a superior, and In the priv.
ileges Of the people without a peer, among the
nations OF the earth.
N. p. BANKS,
Major General.
The only additional news III New Orleans
papers is The capture ola launch filled with
arms and ammunition and one small cannon
by an expedition sent to Atchafalayo river by
Commodore Buchanan.
The Roanoke brings Havana adviees Of the
22d inst.
The rebel steamer Florida, alias Oveto, had
got out with a crew Of 100 men passine the
blockade in the night
Nothing later from Mexico, r.i4
Abolition Generals.
The Abolition papers now come out boldly
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