INSURRECTION. A rebellion of citi zens or subjects of a country against its gov ernment.
The constitution of the United States, art. 1, s. 8, gives power to congress "to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions." By the act of congress of the 28th of Feb ruary, 1795, 1 Story, U. S. Laws, 389, it is provided:— 1, That whenever the United States shall be invaded, or be in imminent danger of invasion, from any foreign nation or Indian tribe, it shall be lawful for the president of the United States to call forth such number of the militia of the state, or states, most con venient to the place of danger or scene of action, as he may judge necessary to repel such invasion, and to issue his orders, for that purpose, to such officer or officers of the militia as he shall think proper. And in case cf an insurrection in any state against the government thereof, it shall be lawful for the president of the United States, on application of the legislature of such state, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened), to call forth such num ber of the militia cf any other state or states, as may be applied for, as be may judge sufficient to suppress such insurrection.
2. That, whenever the laws of the United States shall be opposed, or the execution thereof obstructed, in any state, by combina tions too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by this act, it shall be lawful for the president of the United States to call forth the militia of such state, or of any other state or states, as may be necessary to suppress such com binations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed ; and the use of militia so to be called forth may be ccntinued, if necessary, until the expiration of thirty days after the commencement of the next session of con gress.
3. That whenever it may be necessary, in the judgment of the president, to use the military force hereby directed to be called forth, the president shall forthwith, by pro clamation, command such insurgents to dis perse, and retire peaceably to their respective abodes, within a limited time.
Further important provisions relative to insurrection are contained in the acts of Congress of July 13, 1861, 12 U. S. Stat, at Large, 257; Jan. 31, 1862, 12 id. 334 ; May £0, 1862, 12 id. 404; July 17, 1862, 12 id. 590; July 14, lt62, 12 id. 625; March 3, 1863, 12 id. 755; March 3, 1863, 12 id. 762 ; March 3, 1863, 12 id. 820.