Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-12
Democracy OF new Hampshire-Ad-
dress OF the state committee

-. .i.,.,,i ,,ineiol,s. not ess than vnr Der.
sou.i character n ctizeif-. cannot rr--s mt a
recent fras.s.cfion 70 pcs annoticed; npr efn ~e
h .px degree meet the demands OF the accession
without the expression OF our emphatic protest
agains, Il We refer 70 the dismisssi of Lieus
sndre~ J EdQerlv from military service. by the
President OF the Cnipsd States in accordance
with the lollosing sr'i'r:
WA DEp.s'T. An5'r GKSKEAls CTrrcx,
..wAsaISsTOS. xAreh l.. sss3-
'.So~cf1l order 70. lls.
tEuracf)
~ Be- direction u the President. the following on
Ger. are herebg dismissed the sesvi-e u the United
state. Lieut. a Edverly 4ih S-~ Hampshire volun-
teers for circulating copperheaf tcket and do'ns al
n hs power to proo he u the rebel cause IN
by orser Of the Secretary Of War.
u. THOxss. Ad'utant General.
To the Governor % New Hampshire
We ought, perhaps. to apologize for not having
At an earlier day vailed your attention to this
gross assault upon the fundamental principles so
vital ~ the existence of an elective government
to ,hi- scornful contempt for your riShts-to this
denial. in the most offensive spirit ct unbridiei
despotism. Of freedom Of thought and opinion
to ths shameful attack upon the elective fran
chi-e. in the crushing Of which liberty must inev
i,ablv perish--to this insult without parallel
thrust in YOUR faces individually and collective
Ito these offensive terms with which YOU are
assailed That apology i 10 be found IN the
fact that, no; withstanding the Illuminating expo
rence of the last wears. We did not believe it
nossible that 40 extraordinary paper could he
genuine We could not believe that the Presi
dent of the United States would exhibit such
wanton disregard Of the propretes Of life as to
indulge in vulgar epithets in an official paper,
even for the accomplishment Of such purpose
We were inclined, so long M any doubt could ex
ist 10 r. gard this order the fiction OF unprnci
plel and shameless local partisans, for we were
reluctant tn conclude that even this admnistr q,
iton had sunk to so low a level; and were the or
der to prove really genuine. We desired 10 wait
and ace what possible explanation could he offered
to lessen the Indignation with which it should be
visited.
Bur there Is no longer doubt with regard 10 its
gennineness. The order has been carried into
effect nv the dismissal Of Lieut. Efgerlv from
the service and i left TO speak for itself without
further explanation than IL carries upon its face.
We have no occasion to say anything in vind
cation Of the officer thus rudey and with attemp
ted indlsnitv removed from command His
fidelity. capacity and courage have never been
questioned The order itself expresses the sole
reason on which his dis missal is based That
reason consists in the fact that. happening to be
ut home on the dav of our annual election. Lieut..
Edgerlv in the exercise of the undou-ted right of
convictions of right and duty.
Our election took place on the 10Th OK March
On the 18th day of the same month, the order in
question isSued-so ready and swift the
Executive 10 bring cOndlgn punishment upon one
guilty of the grave otienSe of voting as his con
scientious judgment dictated. No notice was
given; no charge was made and explanation de-
sired: no opportunity for hearing afforded
no time taken for examination of the case.
...lf u.
vening period between the offenSe and the date
of order was barely sufficient for the intelligence
to reach Washington by the ordinary course OF
mail-thOuch i'm this ease. in Others. tele-
gram NAV have been considered sufficient basis
for executive action.
Under any circumstances such an order for such
cause would excite the severest Indignation
but If ANYTHING were wanting ri the present time
TO add 10 such indgnatOn that want would be
supplied BY the fact that the same Administration
which so summarily visited its vengeance upon
Lieutenant Edgerv for exercising his unquestion
able right OF suffrage ~ free citizen of this
State. week after week through the late political
campaign. allOwed-ifi II did not orler-military
officers from other States of the highest rank and
receiving the largest salaries. to actively partici
pate in the canvass and assume tn dictate to Our
people both their political prime piles and their
political action.
II may he of title public consequence whether
Lieutenant Edgerlv j. in or out of service. Ii
may be of little consequence to him personally
But it is Of the highest importance to every citi
zen of New Hampshire to understand whether he
il TO enjoy the rights of free man without awe
and without punishment: to know whether. in he
coming soldier for the defense of the country
h. ceases 10 be A free citizen. and becomes the
subject of an irresponsible despotism
Ii for voting the Democratic ticket. an officer
is to be punished by dismissal from the service
wh.t is to be the limit IN kind or degree OF pun
ishment which officials in power will inhict upon
the private for similar oifense Certainly
nothing IS than conscription will force the
Democrats OF thus State into the service it thereby
they are to forfeit freedom of opinion and the
dearest rsght of the ctizen-the independent
ercise OF the elective franchise
But this order addresses itself to you directly
and individually Init the President goes out OF
his way TO apply 10 YOU, the y. $40 Democratic
voters of New Hampshire the approprous epithe,
which we will not reDeat. In it. with degree
of faschood equaled only by its vugsritv. he
charges YOU with laboring to promote the Rebel
cause The ticket. for the support OF which
Lieut Eigerly has been thus officially vi.ited
and punished. w.r~ the same ticket supportei hy
each OF you; md the charge and the insul,
and the indignity which this order conveys
to him apply and were intended 10 apply
with eqHsl force to- YOU
In your name and behalf we denounce the
charge contained in this order as false; and. with
ont descending to the level of its author To handy
ephet>. we express your contempt tor any de
nuncations and threats intended to deter you
from tie ie,rless assertion md exercise Of your
= Inherited and inalienable rights.
Love for the Union aud devotion 70 the Con
stitution are new emotions With the DemOc
r,cy of New HlInp>hire All your lives long
vuu have assiduouslv abDred through evil report
and through good report preserve the national
unity bv unwavering idelityto the common bond
No sixteen. starred flags with reasonable inscrip
tons have been given 10 the breeze by your
H. ads. ln the past, you have believed no sacrl-
f-es too great TO be made for the preservation
OF the Cons tuition nd the Union, aud know
in the future there will be no defiance too deter
mined 10 resist aggres~ions upon either II the
President is pressed" 10 issue orders refecfc
UPON TIE patriotic integrity OF the people those
orders nigh: with greater propri,ty be addressed
9 70 those with whom he is at present politically
and socially affiliated. aud whose whole career
has been characterized bv unhOunded leiiunci.,-
tons OF the compact which gave 10 Us an undivi
ded counuy--'houeh IN sueh case. we thank mis-
"orders" should contain no language calculated
10 mantle with shame the cheek of every man
who appreciates the dignity,'f our Government
OF possesses the Ordlnary pride OF an American
citizen. Your tried aBd true devotion 10 the
Constitution and the Union. and your PATRIOTS
are not % be- coufOundrd with blind and linques-
tioUsbie acceptance of the political opinions OF
p~Aicy OF any executive You have opposed the