Year: 1861

sented to, by their representatives. Tbs
recent election, of the result of which
they so loudly complain, had placed il
the Presidential Chair person opposed
to their policy upon one important ques
ton, but had left them in possession o
the other independent and coordinate
branches of the Government, so that /
was utterly impossible any injury coulc
result to them from the election of ;
President who was not their choice. I'm
der these circumstances, without wait
ing to see what would be the disposl
ton of the newly elected President, with
out trusting to Congress and the pro
ceedings yet under their control with
out waiting for an appeal to the honesty
and intelligence of the people to right
the wrongs that might be attempted
against them, they rebelled against the
Government, and sought to destroy it by
arms. They have seized by force the
forts, arsenals, ships and treasure, and
have set at defiance the laws and officers
of the United States, and they have
sought to set up within the Union an.
other and Independent Government
They have for months past been levying
troops, building forts, and gathering mu'
nitions Of war, with intent to make wal
upon our Government, if it should at
tempt to perform its lawful functions
and after months Of preparation have at
tackled with overwhelming numbers and
captured the troops of the United States
holding a fort of the United States, and
have so far as in them lies dishonored
that proud flag. which throughout The
world is the emblem Of the power, thC
honor, and the glory Of our nation.


What in the meantime has been tht
action of our Government towards these
misguided men =? The history of tbs
world cannot show equal moderation and
forbearance by any Government towards
portion of its people, in rebelling
against its laws. For months, some oi
these men were allowed to hold high po.
sitions in the Cabinet, and used their
official power only to betray the Govern
ment of which they were the sworn anC
trusted servants. For months. many o
them were allowed to retain their seats
in both branches of Congress, and theil
positions to defeat the enactment o
wholesome laws necessary for the protec
ton of the Government. For months
many of them were permitted to hole
bigh command in the army and navy
and used their position to betray ant
dshonor the flag they had sworn to pro
tect and defend For months the Gov.
ernment yielded, step by step, and had
used only words of kindness and good
will. But forbearance. moderation and
kindness were regarded only as indica.
tive of weakness. imbecility and coward
ice. until at last the crownng outrage a.
Ft. Sumter, convinced all men that fur.
ther forbearance had indeed ceased to be
virtue. and would indeed make those
charged with the safety of the Govern
ment as criminal as those who were seek
ing to destroy it. At last the Govern
ment has spoken. and has called the 10y
al men of the country TO rally to its sup
port, and the answer has been such as &c
show the world the strength Of a Gov
ernment founded on the love of free
people.


On the 18th day Of April last the
President issued his Proclamation, call
ing on the loyal States for aid to enforce
the laws On the 25th of the same
month received from the Secretary o
War requisition on this State dated or
the 10th. calling for one regiment o
troops. Having been before advised by
telegraph that such requisition had beer
issued, | felt assured that | would only
be carrying out your will and the will o
the people of the State, in responding to
the call AS promptly as possible.
therefore did not wait the receipt OF the
formal requsiJon. but proceeded at once
TO take such steps as seemed 10 me besI
adapted to speedily effect that object.
was met in the outset BY two difficulties
There were not any funds under my
control to meet the necessary expenses,
nor was there any efficient military law
under which 10 operate. Your action
only could furnish these aids in a legal
way, and yet 10 await your action would
involve great. perhaps dangerous de.
lay.


The first difficulty was obviated BY the
patriotic action of the chartered Banks
and citizens OF the State. who promptly
placed at my disposal all the money
might need and determined. although
without authority of law. 10 accept their
offer, trusting that YOU would legalize
my acts. One difficulty was thus avoid
ed trusted, as the result shows, safely
to the patriotism of the people for the re.
moval Of the other. aud on the l7th oi
April issued my Proclamation calling
for the requisite number OF troops


The telegraphie dispatch Of the Secre.
tary Of War informed me that it would
be sufficient il the troops required Of this
State were in rendezvous At keokuk by
the 20th inst, The prompt aud patriot
ie action OF the people enabled me 10
place them there in uniform on the 9Th,
twelve days in advance OF the time fixed
and they would have been there q week
sooner had not the action Of the mob Al
Baltimore cut Oh all communication with
the seat Of Government. and LEFT me
withoutany instructions for two weeks.