2

Troops at Cairo.

Advices from Cairo state that the people of that little city were taken all aback at the arrival of the troops by the Central railroad. The mayor at once advised them that their presence was not at all necessary for the peace or defence of the place, but the commanding officer informed him that he must obey orders and should remain. The troops took possession of the point at the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi river, and commenced planting their batteries. A detachment of two or three hundred men were sent up the railroad track a few miles to protect the bridges which were threatened by some of the populace. The forces at Cairo will, in a day or two, be increased to several thousand.

There is yet no positive information in our city in reference to the designs of the government, in occupying this point with so large a command. Shippers in this city yesterday morning held off, but upon advices to the evening papers that Gov. Yates had given no instructions to seize shipments, the Memphis and Nashville packets were loaded down to the guards and hurriedly set out. The insurance companies are charging double rates.

Later advices say that the force at Cairo was considerably augmented yesterday, and now numbers about two thousand men: also, that the Union sentiment in that city is rapidly growing. It is further stated that shipments on steamboats will not be interfered with.

The foregoing is from the St. Louis Democrat of yesterday. The excitement caused by the placing of a portion of Illinois troops at Cairo, to our mind, is without reason. That point is an important one in a military point of view, and in the present distracted condition of the country, it was but proper that a force should be placed there. In response to a resolution offered by Senator Kuykendall, passed by both houses of the legislature, Gov. Yates, in a communication given in our legislative record, gave his reasons for stationing troops at Cairo. That point is one of commanding position, and it is but proper that the authorities of our state should use every precaution to protect the interests of the state, and be prepared to render efficient aid to the national government, as circumstances may arise. When "madness rules the hour" we cannot know what a day may bring forth, and it is the part of wisdom to be prepared for any possible infraction of our home rights; and to render all possible aid to the government is resistence to rebellion to its authority.