Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-02-18
important Executlvs Orders Relatigs TO
State Prisoners,
wAR DEPARpEsr,
wa.hinrton. Reb l4. lseg. |

Washington, Feb "a, 1862.
ENscrTivR ORpKRs ~ RELATIoS 10 STATE
PHt-oSEBs, Nc. The bre king nut uf for
a. ,dable insuri ectiOD, based VI a couh.ct ol pO-
iicai ideas. being an event without precedent
d tie United States, was necessarily attended
siih great confusion aad q rple1ty Of the pub
lie mind Di.loyaliy before uususpccted >uilen-
y became bold aud treason asio.-hel the world
ty htugiug u once into the field iertes superior
NJ uuBl ers to the standing army Of the uailei
Stnies livery department OF the government
va parAly1ed by treason DETECTION appeared
ia the Senate, in the House Of Representatives,
"a the cabinet, in the Federal courts, ministers
Al nsuls from foreign countries to enter the
lnsufrectonary councils, the bud anl naval
forces Commanding and other officers in the
army and in the navy betrayed tile councils or
| de serted their posts ior eommauds IN the iusur-
gent forces. Treason was hAgraut in the revenue
\ sui the post Office service "a well ia tile ter
ritora governments an IN the lul an reserves.
| Not only governors, judges, legislators aud
ministerial officers IN the States, but even whole
states rushed one after another, with apparent
unanmity, into rebellion. The capital was be-
seged aud its connection with all the States cut
OF Even in the portions Of the country which
were most loyal. political combinations aud Sc.
cret societies were formed furtheTing the work
OF disuniOn, while from motives Of dislOyAlty Or
| cupidity, Or from excited passions or perverted
| sympaihies, individuals were found furnishing
nen money, materials Of war and supplies 10 the
iu-urgent military 8ul naval fureGs Armoriss,
ships, forilhcations, navy yards arsenals mill
tary pO-ls AMI garTisUns, one after another, were
betrayed or abandoned u the insurgents Com
gress had not auto pAtel, aud 50 had MT pfoyi.
del tor the emergency the municipal authorities
were powerless aud inactive The judicial ma
chinery seemed as ii II had hecu designed not IL
sustain the government hut to embarras- and
betray H. Futrigu intervention WAS olrHly in
Sed aud nlusiriously iustigated hy The ahettors
Of the iusurrection, became imluilent, aud has
only bren prevented by the ltactice Of street
AMI impartial Justice, with the most perfecl
moderation, iu our intercourse vita other ia
tons. The public mind was alarmed aud arpie-
hen-ive, though fortunately not distracted oi
'l,-helttenel. II seemed to he doubtful whether
tue Federal government Which Que year before
had been thoupht ~ model worthy OF uHyct-s
acceptance, had iudeed The ability 10 defend nul
maintain itself. Some Teyersrs, which lefhap,
were unasoidably suffered by newly levied an.
inefficient l0rces discouraged the loyal AnI gay,
ncw hopes To- the Insurgents Voluntary eniist-
Inauts seemed about tD cease, and drstrilon.
commenced Parties specdiated upon III 4ues
tou whether con=rnpiiun hliu0t become ntrrs-
sary % i'll up tile Nrinlt- ot the untel States
Ia ti emergency the President let it he lui,
io employ With energy the extraordinary ruweri
which the Constitution rouic- 10 him in ease
oi insuuecton. tie cni'ci t. lhe hei -ucl
military AMI naval torer- authorized by exi.tiu,
inws, u4 seemed necessary. tie directed mea-
.ute- to prevent the use of the post ohce fu
reasonable correspondence. lie subjected pas
! -eugeIs to and from foreign countries to ncR
: pas p1r regulations; and he instituted block
ade, suspended the htbrts corpus IN yafuut
placed, and eau ed persons who were Represented
10 him rs being engaged, Or about 10 engage, ID
iisIlyal AMI IT, asuuah practices, u be arfestct
by spec AL civil as well NJ military agencies, anl
! detained IN military custody when necessary L
, prevent them aud deter others from such practi
ces. Examinations Of sucl cases were institute.
and some Of the persons arrested have beer
I discharged, fran time to tmr, unlrr rrcum
/ sAuees or upon conditions compatible, Us wa,
thought, with the public sliety.
In the meantime favorable change 0l pubic
opinion has occurred The iue b,tSecn loyall,
ami dsl1yaiy is plainly Ietnel. The Who'll,
0 structure OF the government Is finn aud stable
Apprehension Of public danger aud facilities foi
f treasunahle racticts have diminished with tht
passioes which lrHnptcl heclless persons t,
( adopt them. The ih.urrect on is believed t.
y have eliminated, and 10 be decliuing III,
: Presden', in view u these aoIs, and anxious L
favor return to the normal course Of the Al
ministtAtlnn as far as regard for the publ
e welfare will allow, directs that ali polilca
c prisoners or a Yrs rs nov held in inilitnr
G custody be released on their subscribing to
. parole engaging them 10 render no aid or comfoi
e to the enemies IN hostility to the United States
d The Secretary Of War wall, however, ia his Iii.
cretion except from the effect Of this order ever
3. person detained as spies in the service Of the il
+ surgents. or Others whose reease at the pteset
e moment may be deemed Incompatible with til
e public safety.
o To all persons who shall be released and sha
It keep their parole, the President grants an an
N uesy tor past offences Of treason or disloyalt
which they may have committed,
Extraordinary arrests will ber,after lie mad
under the discretion Of the military authoriti,
" alone.
. BY order Of the President
d ,Sigued,l EDwls NJ STANTON,
T. Secretary Of War.