Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-13
General HascalI's Explanation of Or
dor In a

Ueneral Htascalis explanation OF Or
der No. 8.
We r~epublish this week, from the Indianapo-
lis Journal. the correspondence between Hon. Jo-
sEPHK EDGERToS, NJ c., from the 10Th District in
this State. and Gen. MILO S. HAsoALL, Military
Commandant of Indiana, as a part of the history
of the times, and for the enlightenment of the
people of Indiana. We sincerely believe that
the citizens of this State, irrespective of party,
are animated solely by the desire to promote ''the
true interests of our State and nation" They
may differ honestly as to the policy to be pursued
in the accomplishment of that purpose, and if
they do, who then is to determine the standard of
loyalty, or where is it to be foundP We
speak for the masses of the Democratic
party of Indiana, when we say that they have
never had any ether wish but the speedy
overthrow of the rebellion in order that the Gov.
eminent of WASHINGTON. and of JEFFERSON, and
of JACKSON may be preserved in all Its integrity.
And if it can be saved in no other way but by
blood, then must the sacrifice be made. None
place a higher value than they upon the sacri-
fees. the privations and the tolls of our hundreds
OF thousands OF gallant soldiers in the field, or
have a deeper sympathy with the feelings, be-
reavements and sufferings of their anxious fami-
lies and friends at home. To prevent the sacri-
fee of these valuable lives and preserve a con-
stitutional Government has been the sole motive
which has Influenced the Democracy in their
action as a party. Can it be doubted but the
Democracy have an equal interest in preserving
the Government as the Republicans2 What
possible motive can any class of citizens have for
its destruction, unless it be mere adventures who
may hope to rise upon its ruins?
There is another great misrepresentation with
many, which it may be well to correct, and we
allude to it in no partisan spirit. The people are
divided in sentiment as to the avowei policy of
the Administration. This fact cannot be con-
cealed. General HAsCALL comedies it. But we
think he, and those who think like him, wrong
fully attribute this division of sentiment to the
influence of newspapers and party leaders. The
most remarkable feature of the present times is,
that newspapers and party leaders, if we may be
allowed the illustration, are brakes upon public
sentiment. The people. those who care not for
public positions, who are not seeking political
preferment and who have no other object but to
secure to themselves and their posterity the
blessings of a good government, discuss the
measures to which Gen. HAscALL alludes with an
intelligence and freedom that no newspaper or
public speaker has expressed.
1t is possible that General HAscALL may be
right when he announces that the war measures
of the Administration do not concern the people.
They have been taught by the leaders of all
political parties since the formation of the Gov
eminent. that the people are the rightful source
of power-that all good governments derive
their Just powers from the consent of the gov
erned. So long have the people been accustomed
to discuss all measures of public policy. to either
approve or condemn them. that it is difficult to
change that habit, or what they have been taught
to believe was their right. But new necessities
have arisen. The people must learn to bride
not only expression. but thought. General Has
CALL as the representative of the Government
declares that such discussions are not
only idle. but wrong. He announces
that it is enough for the people to
know that the war policy or measures
of the Administration have been agreed upon by
the only rightful authorities known to our Gov
eminent, and that they are likely to remain in
force until time and experience shall suggest
some modification, and this, though the people
should talk themselves hoarse in opposition.
The meaning of General HAscALL's Order No.
9 then, is that no one must ~criticise unfavorably
the war measures of the administration Such
criticisms are regarded BY the military authori-
ties an Offense. and they say they have ample force
at their disposal to inaict upon the offenders that
punishment which such "disloyal practices "
merit. If there. was any room to doubt the pur
port Of Order No. 8, the explanation of General
HAscALL III his letter to Mr. EDGERroN removes
it all.
From the indianapolis Journal.
General EUaSca m nm Orfer an n