The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-04-17

AN OCTRAGE UPON LIBERTi.-We noticed
the other day that Lieut.. Edgerly, of the New
Hampshire Volunteers, had been dismissed by
the President from services, for v0tingIths Dem-l
ocratic ticketat the late New Hampshire ,elec-
ton. The Boston Post stated that it was I'M
possible that such a fact could be true, where
upon Lieut.. r. confirms the fact as follows, AL
just men will say that the office of President Of
the United States is dishonored by such an ACT
of usurpation, whileiitis an insult 10 every
soldier in the army: y aSN
Editors of the Boston Post. Il IA sYaYaCTq
MANCHESTER, N. H., March 2S, 1868, .,p
a I saw in your issue of to-day, the order dis
missing Lieut.. A. J. Edgerly,. Of the Fourth :
New Hampshire Volunteers, from the seryics B
of the United States, for ssscircplating Copper
head tickets" together with your comments
thereon, in which you say you cannot believe ia
true that the President Of the United States
would stoop SO low as to dismiss an,ofieer fas.
voting the Democratic ticket of even cireuls.
ting tickets; when il is notorious fact ,thas
the Administration had their officers and men
brought from all parts Of the country, not AOnso
ly to vote for the Republican party, but use ~ I
their influence to have others do the same, and,
for the same party. Why write this il TO-
show to you that the order is genuine, although
/ have not been officially notified Of it, but
have seen the original copy in the State Depart
ment at Concord, and shall probably get acoP-
when the printed one is issued ~
do not wonder that you are 10th to believe
it true, for many of the leading Republicans
here, those who believe the dismissal rReritedH
the charge is true, do not believe they would
stoop to the low party slang phrases Of the War
Department in their ''Orders;' but such are
the words used in the order, word for word, as
published in the Democrat at Concord. send
you copy of a certificate, given me by the
Moderator of the ward in which Ivoted, (ward
six, and he is one of the most Influential men
of the Republican party, aud one Of the editors
Of the american, in this city, which goes to
show the first part of the charge Is false and
as for the other, / am at loss to know what 10
meant by 'sthe rebel cause in his State," unless
it is the Abolition cause, and every man who
ever knew me, or ever heard me express my po-
ltical opinions, knows never did any tn ing TO
help that, but have voted the Democratic, tick.
ct since 1850, with the exception Of last March,
when was in Florida with my regiment.
The facts are these: simply went to the
polls and deposited my ballot, as eonsidercdr
had a perfect right to do, not thinking when
took commission in the limited States ArmyI
forfeited the dearest right Of an American free
man---the right to exercise the elective fran
chise according to the dictates of his own
Judgment and conscience-and do not regret
the act, and should do SO again tomorrow should
the opportunity occur. You will pardon me
for the freedom have taken in writing this to
you, not for publications only TO show, that the
"order" is not t'bogus." 14l9g
Yours most truly, r7Agn~-,
'hsihm A. j. EpakRLy,
Late Lieut.. Fourth N. H.Noss