The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-01-02
Gge aNm.
Important from New Orleans.
ARRIVAL orGen. Banks on the l4,h inst.

New YORK, Dec. %.
The steamer Roanoke, from New Orleans
18th inst. via Havana ODD. arrived to-day,
She brings news of an interesting character
The North Star, with Gen. Banks and staff
arrived ut New Orleans on the evening of the
18th, and the news transpired on the follow
ing day that Gen. Butler had been supcrse
ded, which occasioned the utmost surprise
among all classes. Even the registered enc
mics of the United States were sorry to part
with an officer who has, at least, brought Or
der and security to the city.
On the 10th inst, Generals Butler and
Banks met at headquarters. Gen. Butler
welcomed Gen. Banks to tho Department of
the Gulf, and assured him that he would
find troops who were ready to yield cheerful
obedience to every order. Gen. Banks re-
sponded, saying that the only pleasure no
had in taking the command was that in do
ing 80 he was obeying an order OF the gov
ernment of the United States. The meeting
was most cordial, and the interchange ofsen-
timents was that which marks the coming
together of old friends.
After the introduction Of each others
stats, Gen. Banks and staff withdrew. Gen.
Butler then addressed his staff, requesting
each member to take pains to enlighten and
assist his successor. He spoke in the most
generous manner of Gen. Banks and staff.
Gen. Buffers parting address to his troops
bears date OF the 18th. He alludes in elo-
quent terms to their successes in the field,
and the restoration of order and quiet by
them to New Orleans, and to the feeding Of
the starving wives and children of their enc
mics. lie states that the expedition with
which they were connected cost the Govern
ment less by four.ftths than any other, and
closes by saying that the speaking of the
word farewell is the only sorrowlul thought
he had. He commends them to their future
commander rs worthy of his love.
On the 10th Gen. Banks issued General
Order, in which he assumes command OF the
Department of the Gulf and of the State OF
Texas, and names his staff, who are already
known at the North.
Gen. Banks also issued an order that all
military and civil officers in the Department
should report to him, and another suspend
Ing all sales of property on account Of the
United States until further orders.
Gen. Butler. accompanied by Col. Shafler,
Col. Turner, Major Strong, Major Bell, Capt.
Davis, Capt. Kennel. and other members OF
his staff, was to sail on the odd for New
York. Capt. Clark was to remain on duty
at New Orleans.
Gen. Banks was pushing things with char
acteristic energy. Five thousand OF the
troops who accompanied him had landed at
Baton Rouge, and the remainder OF the ex-
petition would be sent forward as fast as
they arrived.
The weather in New Orleans is fine. The
troops are in good health.
On the 18th Gen. Banks issued the fol.
lowing proclamation:
DEPARTMENT OF TIE 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. Tho duty with
which am charged requires Inc to assist in
the government of the United States. IL is
my desire to secure to tho people OF every
class, all tho privileges Of possession and en-
ployment which are consistent with public
safety. or which it is possible for benef-
cient and just government to confer. In
the execution Of the high trust with which
| am charged. rely on the cooperation and
counsel of all loyal and well disposed peo-
pie, and upon the manifest interest 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 enemies those who are enemies; but |
shall gladly regard rs friends those who are
friends. No restrictions will be placed up
on the freedom of individuals which are not
demanded by considerations OF
public safety. But while their claims will
DO literally considered. 1t is due also to them
to state that all the rights Of the government
will be unainchingly maintained. Respect.
full consideration and prompt reparation will
be accorded to all persons who are wronged
in body or estate by those under my COM
mand.
The Government does not profit by the
OF civil contests or the private
or public sufierings which attend it. Its
fruits are not equally distributed in the dis
loyal States. Desolation has empire on the
sea and on the land In the North the war
is an abiding sorrow, but not ycta calamity.
Its cities and towns are increasing in popu-
lation. wealth and power. The refugees
from the South alone compensate in great
part for the terrible defamation OF BATTLE
The people Of this department who are dis.
posed to stake their fortunes and their lives
upon resistance to the government, may wise
ly reflect upon the immutable conditions
which surround them. The valley Of the
is the chosen seat of population,
product. and power, on this continent. In
4 few years $4,000, 900 of people unsurpass.
cd in material resources and capacity for war
will swarm upon its fertile rivers. Those
who assume to set conditions upon their ex-
,dus to the Gulf count upon power not CIV
m to man. The country washed by the wa
.ers of the Ohio, Missouri and Mississippi can
never DO permanently severed. If one gen.
,ration basely barters away its rights, i'm
mortal honor will rest on another that re-
,laims them. Let it never be said either
hat the East and tho West may be separa-
led. Thirty days distance from tho markets
If Europe may satisfy the wants ofLouisiana
md Arkansas, but it will not answer the de-
nands of Illinois and Ohio. Tho valley of
the Mississippi will have its deltas upon the
the physical force of the West will
le5ouch upon its shores with q power as re-
,istless as the torrents Of its giant rivers
This country cannot DO permanently divided.
Ccaseless wars may drain its blood and treas
are, domestic tyrants or foreign foes may
grasp the sceptre OF its power, but its desti-
nv will remain unchanged Ii will still DO
has ordained it. What avails
then the best government ever devised by
self adjusting. seltcorrecting Con.
stitution Of the United States. People Of the
why not accept the conditions inn