New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-17
STATE PRISONERS.
The following important order has been issued:
War DEPANTrESr Wsshir ston, Feb. II. 40.

MAR DEPARTMENT Wsshirs ton Feb. II. 40.
Erecrfre Order ~ Tflat,0R u St0ts PrTsoHtrs.
NJ. The breaking out Of formidable lnsur.ee.
ton. based on g conflict Of political ideas, oe.ng an
event w,hou, precedent IN he United States, was
necessarily attended with much confusion and per.
plexl.y o. the public mind.
/ Dsloyalty, 6erore uususpectei, suddenly became
hold aud treason astouisled the whole world by
bringing into the field military forces superior TO tue
standing array Of the United States.
Eyerv Department OF the Government was paral-
lied bv tgeason. Detection appeared IN The sena'e,
I'm the ilouse OF Representatives., IN the Cabinet, ana
In he Federal Courts; Minister'S and COnsulO rec
tq-ued from Foreign countries 10 enter the nsurrsc-
tionsry councils land or naval force, commanding
and Their officers 10 the army aud IN the navy, be-
ruyed The couuci, deserted their posts Tor cons
msnd- in & insurgent 10 &c. treason was 1igIants
in toe revenue and the POst.Ofice services as wei
~ in the Territorial Governments, aud IN the Indian
Reserves.
MOI only Governors, judges, Legislators, and
Ministerial officers in the States, bat even whole
States rushed, ore after another, with apparent
Unan nifty. into rebellion.
The Capital was beleaguered, and lis connection
with all tne States cut of. Even in the Drtons Of
the country which were most loyal, political COMBS
nations and secret societies were found, openly
threatening the work of disuniOn; while from mo.
tives Of disloyalty oupdity from excited pas
sions perverted syInpathies, individuals wero
found Furnishing men, money, materials .! war, and
supplies 10 the iusrgent military and naval force.
Arnies ships for,ihcftions, nayy-yards, aFsenals,
military posts and gsr.lsoDs, one after another wer5
betrayed or abandoned TO tie insurgents.
Congress had not anticipated, and so had no, pro-
yied for the emergency. The municipal authoritiee
were powerless and inactive. The judicial machinery
seemed as II il had been cesigned not 10 sustan the
Government, but 70 embarass ANA betray It.
Foreign intervention was openly invited, and
ndustriousy ustigated by the eiors Of the insur.
reciion aud il became imminent and has only been
prevented by the practice OF strict aud Impartial
Justice, with the most perfect moderation in our
intercourse with other nations.
The public mind was alarmed and apprehensive,
though fortunately not distracted or dishearened.
II seemed 10 be doubtful watcher the Federal Gov.
eminent, which one year ago had been thought
model worthy Of universal acceptance, had indeed
the ability 10 defend and mainsan itself.
Some reverses, which perhaps were unavoidable,
suffered by newlyleyied asd insufficient forces, dis.
counged the loyal, and new hopes 10 the insur-
gents. Voluntary enlistment seemed 20 cease and
assertions commenced Parties speculaied spon the
question whether the CONSUMPTION had not become
necessary I'LL up the armies Of the United states.
In this emergency. tue President felt il his duty 70
employ with energy the extraordinary powers which
the Constitution condes 10 him IN case OF insured.
top. lie called into the ield such military and
naval forces authorized by existing laws rs seemed
necessary.
lie directed measures to prevent the use Of the
Post lice for reasonable corr sponaenee. lie sabs
iected travellers To and from foreign countries 70
new passport regulations; and he Instituted block
ado SUSPENDED the habeas corpus IL various places,
and caused persons who were represented TO 1im ~
benQ engaged or about 10 engage in disloyai and
reasonable practices to be arrested by special civil
as well AS military agencies and detained IN military
custody when necessary, TO prevent them aud ce'ef
OIL en- from such practices.
examinations Of such cases were Instituted. ana
some of the persons arrested have been dscharsea
from time to time, under circumstances or upon con.
ri ions compatible, was thought, with the punnf
safety. Meantime, "a favorable change OF Puous
opinion has occurred. TIE line between ioy"'y ans
dsloyalty is plainly defined.
The whole structure Of the Government 10 my
and stable. Appiehensions OF, puelc dangrr anS
facilities for reasonable practices nave
with the passion which prompted .no noeu,o'S ~
sons 10 adopt them. The n,uriestlOn rs ""''eu
have eliminated and TO be- declining -
n ma President in view OF these Iaets, and anxious
N favor return 10 the normal course of the Admn'
istrs,on "a ,or as regarls faith aud the public Wed.
Sre vii allow directs that all political prisoners,@
statss nr;,ouers now held IN military custody, "
rsle, .s on their subscribing parole engaging them
to render no aid comfort to euemies 10 hostility
the United states. ~ 80. ,;s,r>.
The Secretary Of War Will however, in bis discrsl
ton except from the ELECT of this order any person.
detained MS spies IN the service Of the insurgents ~
others whose release at the present moment i'~'
deemed incompatible with the public saiet', AN
10 all persons " no shall b. 80 reles'Su nnu
keep their parole, tic President grs's ~ "AN