Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-09-21
A Voice from the Army-General A. p.
Doctrine.

ANAs AohooN ~
Civil connections. az well as revolutions in
science and religion. invariably develop strange
theories, aside from those which, reduced 70
practice, are as oil poured upon the troubled
waves, thus proving themselves the true ones.
In the course Of this rebellion. and in the conduct
of the war for its suppression, many plans and
policies have been advanced which experience
has not justified. IL is not my purpose, IN this
note, 70 discuss the great problems with which
our people are graphing, nor TO propose any
general solution for them. Nv duty as a soldier
Is different. Buta doctrine has been promulgated
lately by one high in authority, which seems to
me so utterly at variance with the genius Of our
institutions, and such a reflection on the motives
OF our soldiers, as TO warrant me in speaking a
word in opposition to il. The doctrine TO which
l refer, and TO which ] would call the attention
OF the soldiers, is contained in a letter written by
Gen. Alvin p HOvey to the War Democratic"
mass meeting which met at Indianapolis on the
18th inst The particular paragraph. as quoted
in the Chicago Tribune, reads as follows:
"a word in regard to the property Of rebels. In my
opinion they have forfeited all, and their wealth should
be so used as TO prevent a REPETITION Of their crime. Their
personal property should be used in defraying the ex-
penses Of the revolution, their slaves released and Uber-
amongst our soldiers who have nobIv sustained The
Government In the hour Of its sorest trial"
That portion of the above paragraph of which
| wish TO speak | myself have itGlicised. JEFF.
Davis, the acknowledged head of the rebellion,
in n late proclamation declared that the war
was no longer waged on our part for a restora-
ton of the UniOn, but wholly and solely for
self aggrandizement. spoilation and subjugation.
Soldiers in the army, and citizens of the North
at home, denied the charge. and denounced the
author as a culminator of their principles. But
let Gen Hovey's doctrine become our policy,
and we become parties to a contract TO barter our
1 III vQa md the EHac ~ - -
farms. We would come down to the level of
those mercenaries whose battle CRY at New Or
leans was to have been beauty and booty"
The restoration of a glorious, peaceful and pro-
tectiDg Government, which we common soldiers
of the Northwest thought. in our simplicity,
when we enlisted, was the object for which the
war was waged, will give place to a war Of plum
der. raPiDe and attempted determination, with a
re- enactment Of the horrib e scenes of La Nendee
and Hayti.
Gen. HOvey SAYS, in concluding his letter, that,
IN his opinion, nine-tenths Of the ARM will heart
ily concur in the views he has presented. Then,
Mr.. editor. | wish to make haste in enrolling nv
self amongst the one tenth who do not concur in
those views, If so few there be who DO not. |
think il was not a longing after Southern planta-
tons that led our bows to face The cannon at
flcksburg. Gettysburg. and that host Of other
battles which are our glory, because they were
only fought in defense of the country and the
country and the right So far as the con6scation
OF rebel rroperty will aid our cause. / am heat
and soul in favor OF il. and no further. If harsh
measures, not strictly in accordance with the
Constitution. can find an excuse for their enact
ment in the plea of military necessity, certainly,
when that necessity ceases, those measures mag
be annulled.
What are the Southern people to do after their
homes have been apporiioneJ among Us soldiersf
Are they to emigratel But how will they emf
CRATE after we shall have taken all their personal
property to pay the expenses of the revolutionf
Shall they remain as servants where they were
masters beforef Is the fine which is imposed for
the breaking of a law the maTkef price of that
law
No. we must decline the honor Of being classed
among Judge Hovey's nine tenths, if be has so
many.
The rebellion must be put Town by all the
means OF honorable warfare; but, when the rebels
submit themselves to the Government and become
loyal citizens. they will claim and must have all
the rights, immunities and privileges belonging
to freemen: else we ignore those Christian emo
tons that should ever animate nation like ours,
in an age like the present.