, 1862-06-07
masbinqton Statesman.
SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE ?, 1852.
General Hunters Proclamation.

The last few dispatches from the seat of war
have not been of the most pleasing character, in
ssmuch as some items therein contained have
revealed more or less strife and pickering among
officials in high position, which has evidently
served to retard the progress of effective move
mentS to secure the overthrow and demolition oi
the rebel government. That there has ever been
since the commencement of the war, an undue
and unwarranted influence exerted BY certain
members of Congress upon the War Department
produced through disposition to eternally hart
upon the "nigger" question, is undenably true
1t precipitated the first important conflict of the
war, overwhelming all the powers of resistance o.
the veteran General, and brought our arms to an
inglorous defeat 1t tprompted, if it did not force
the tender of General McClellans resignation
from the command of the Potomac at time
when the destinies of the country we're in the most
fearful jeopardy. The tender of his resignation
fell like thunder-shock upon the councils of the
nation, and Withdrawing the unjust exactions
which had been made upon him, he was besoughi
to continue in command Since that time he has
not been free from the effects of this influence but
thanks to an indomitable will and an unbendne
resolution, his plans were matured and consum-
mated, and their execution has brought us a series
of most brilliant achievements. The violent ac-
tion of Fremont may be justly attributed to the
same influence, and it is but reasonable to sup
pose that the recent very remarkable proclama-
tion of General Hunter, Commander of the South
ern Division, has grown out Of influences of the
same character.
This proclamation consists in a declaration oi
martial law, and advances the sage conclusion that
d martial law, slavery and freedom are incompat-
ible therefore all slaves in the States OF Georgia
Florida and South Carolina, are from this date
forever free" What is the nature of martial law
that it should naturally work such consequences
as these Pan entire revolution in the political
affairs Of those States comprising the Southern
Division. We apprehend that the declaration Of
martial law involves no such consequences. 1t i.
nothing short of military despotism, and its prev.
alence for the time being, so far from effectlne
in any wise the political government of people
is only justi6able in the most extreme cases. We
are at loss to see how martial law naturally, a.
the General says, involves the freedom of slaves
The civil law will take its course inevitably upon
the suspension of this one man despot SIN, and il
must find the political affairs of the country over
which martial law has reigned entirely unchanged
Unless all the forms of civil law are ignored, and
indeed denied to these States, then the view We
have taken is the only reasonable one, and the
civil law must naturally and of right succeed the
geign of martial law.
We are inclined to look upon this prcclama.
tioa-so unprecedented and sweeping in it's terms
AS an unwarranted assumption ofpower, spring
ing from unbridled ambition to do something
for name, whether honorable or not. We have
a dispatch stating that the President has con-
demned the proceeding, and we shall expect soon
to see that General Hunter has been succeeded
oy some one more deserving of command.