The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death. By Henry J. Raymond. To which are added anecdotes and personal reminiscences of President Lincoln, by Frank B. Carpenter.

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THE LIFE, PUBLIC SERVICES, AND

vented by the practice of strict and impartial justice, with the most perfect
moderation in our intercourse with nations.
The public mind was alarmed and apprehensive, though fortunately
not distracted or disheartened. It seemed to be doubtful whether the
Federal Government, which one year before had been thought a model
worthy of universal acceptance, had indeed the ability to defend and
maintain itself.
Some reverses, which perhaps were unavoidable, suffered by newly
levied and inefficient forces, discouraged the loyal, and gave new hopes
to the insurgents. Voluntary enlistments seemed about to cease, and
desertions commenced. Parties speculated upon the question whether
conscription had not become necessary to fill up the armies of the United
States.
In this emergency the President felt it his duty to employ with energy
the extraordinary powers which the Constitution confides to him in cases
of insurrection. Ile called into the field such military and naval forces,
unauthorized by the existing laws, as seemed necessary. He directed
measures to prevent the use of the post-office for treasonable correspondence. He subjected passengers to and from foreign countries to new
passport regulations, and he instituted a blockade, suspended the writ of
habeas corpus in various places, and caused persons who were represented
to hin as being or about to engage in disloyal or treasonable practices to
be arrested by special civil as well as military agencies, and detained in
military custody, when necessary, to prevent them and deter others from
such practices. Examinations of such cases were instituted, and some of
the pe~rsons so arrested have been discharged from time to time, under
circumstances or upon conditions compatible, as was thought, with the
public safety.
Meantime a favorable change of public opinion has occurred. The line
between loyalty and disloyalty is plainly defined; the whole structure of
the Government is firm and stable; apprehensions of public danger and
facilities for treasonable practices have diminished with the passions which
prompted heedless persons to adopt them. The insurrection is believed
to have culminated and to be declining.
The President, in view of these facts, and anxious to favor a return to
the normal course of the Administration, as far as regard for the public
welfare will allow, directs that all political prisoners or state prisoners
now held in military custody, be released on their subscribing to a parole
engaging them to render no aid or comfort to the enemies in hostility to
the United< States.
The Secretary of War will, however, at his discretion, except from the
effect of this order any persons detained as spies in the service of the insurgents, or others whose release at the present moment may be deemed
incompatible with the public safety.
To all persons who shall be so released, and who shall keep their parole,