Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-02
PROCLAMATION.
HBApauAHrnnH Dnr'r orrHE GULF,
\ ~. H.. IL 40

dEAuuWAhrHuH ibnr'T or thE GULF,
INV ORLBANs, Dec. l6, 1892. :
In obedience orders from the President. have as
sumed The command Of the Department OF the Gulf to
which added by his special order the state OF Texas
he day With which am charged, requires me 10 assist
in the restoration Of the Government Of the United
States IL is my desire to people Of every
class all privileges Of possession and enjoyment which
consistent with the public safety or which Is pos
sble for btndcent and just government TO confer In
the execution Of the high trust with which a charged
rely the cooperation and counsel o. all loyal aud
wodisposed people, and upon the manifest interest OF
those dependent upon the pursuits OF peace as wei as
upon the support OF naval aud land forces MY nstuc-
tons require me to treat enemies those who
mics, but shall gladly regard friends those who are
fiends No restrictions will be placed uponthe freedom
OF individuals which not mperatively demanded by
considerations Of public saeiyi but while their claims
will be literally considered 1t is due also to them to
state that all the rights Of the government will be
unAnchingly maintained. Respectful consideration
and prompt reparatons will be accorded 10 all persons
who wTOnged in body or estate by those under my
command The government does not profit by the pro-
ongaton Of civil contest the private or public suffer
ngs which attend II Its fruits not equally dsrihu
ted In the disloya States, desolaton has empire
the aud on the land In the North, the war is an
abiding sorrow, but not yet calamity Its cities aud
towns are increasing IN population, wealth ana power
The refugees from the South alone compensate in great
part for the destinations OF battle The people OF ms
department who Disposed to stake their fortunes and
their lives upon resistance to the government may wise
y reflect upon the mmuaeie eouauons when surround
them The valley OF the Mississippi is the chosen seat
Of population, projection and power on this continent
Ia few years twenty-five million people, unsurpassed
u material resources and capacity for war, will swarm
upon the fertile MYERS. Those who to eond-
ions upon their exodus to the Gulf count upon power
/ not given to man,
The country washed by the waters Of the Ohio the
Missouri, aud the Mississippi never be permanent
ly severed II generation bAsely barters away its
rights immortal honor will rest upon another that re-
claims them Let il never be said either that the East
/ the West may be separated. Thirty days distance
from the markets Of Europe may satisfy the wants OF
Louisiana aud Arkansas but 1t will not answer the de
mauds Of Illinois aud OHIO. The Valley of the Missss-
ipp will have s deltAs upon the Atlantic. The physical
force Of the West will debouch upon its shores with
power as resistcss the Of It's giant rivers
This country be permanently divided. Careless
may drain its blood and treasure, domestic rants
or foreign may grasp the scepe Gifts power but It's
destiny remains unchanged. IL will still be united --
God has ordained H. What uvas then, the destruction
Of the best oyernment ever devised by man. the self
correcting Constitution Of the United States :
People Of the Southwest Why not accept the condi.
tons nnt ostd by the impcous NECESSITY Of geugtapnca
conhguraiion and commercial supremacy aud re estab
ish your ancient prosperity and Tenown Why not be
the founders Of states which, the entfepOts and
depots Of your central and upper valleys may stand
In the aiuence Of their resources without superior
aud in the privileges Of the people, withoua peer among
the nations Of the earth.
(Sgned) n. p. BANKS,
MAJOR Gen Commanding.