Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-19
Gen. HascaII's Order--Mr. Edgar on =
Response.

Having published the letter Of Gen Hascal in
response to the from Hon. J X. Edgarton
asking for explanations OF certain parts of Order
No, ., we to dav as a natter OF Justice, publish
the reionder of Mr.. Edgarton. TO the letter Of
Gen Hascall. Ii will be seen that Mr. Edgarton
protests with considerable acerbtv against the re-
strictiOns which Gen. Hascall seeks to place upon
the discussion of political questions within the
limits Of his Military District
While we have every disposition to assist the
authorities 10 the extont Of our power in keeping
down unnecessary and intemperate political
wrsngling during the tendency OF the war. we
cannot but think that some OF our Generals have
usel language in their orders and letters on this
subject. the tendency OF which will be rather to
aggravaie tran cure the evil of which they com
plain The re pple Of the nted States have be
come so accustomed to full and free discussion of
all questions of public character. that il will be
found difficult. apprehend. 10 convince them
That there is now n necessity TO discontinue. abSn
lutelv all discussion Of the great questions in
which the humbest citizen. ~ well rs the highest
civil or military officer is interested.
Nor do we understand that it is the intention of
the military authorities to prevent such discus.
sion in temperate manner, but merely To dis
countenance and stop that sort of wOrdv elO
qrence which, while accomplishing no good pur
pose. tends in times of civil danger. to inhame
and irritate and bring about collisions among
people, thus holding out encouragement and hope
To the public enemy, the tendency of which is TO
prolong the war and incite the Rebels to greater
efforts. We are the more inclined to believe that
this is the correct Interpretation of the views of
our commanding Generals from sentence in
Gen Burnside's response t. the United States
Court az Cincinnati. in the case Of Vallandigham
Speaking of the press and public speakers. Gen.
b. saws:
i pnp mi afa
Government-no State legislative bodv--no cor
poraton or body Of men that have the power 70
inaugurate a war policy that has the validity of
law and power but the constituted authorities of
the Government of the United States; and | am
determined to support their policy. If the people
do not approve that policy they can change the
constitutional authorities of that Government at
the proper time and by the proper method. Let
them freely discuss the policy in proper tone;
but nv duty requires me To stop licensed and in
temperate discussion which tends To we ken the
authorities Of the Government and army whilst
the latter Is in the presence of the enemy il is
cOwardv so to weaken it,
his clearly indicates that Gen. Burnside does
not intend to interfere with put a stop to a
moderate and temperate discussion OF political
questions In this view confirmed by an
article which appears in the Cincinnati CONNER
cial and which doubtless meets the appreciation
OF zen. burnside. Gays the OOinmetclit.
1T seems to us there is nothing in the celebrat-
ed Order IS which should disturb the feelings of
any loval man 1t is not designed to abridge the
liberty of he individual where that liberty is
used 10 the detrmeut % the Government. II is
not General Burnsde's wish or intention to in
terlere with political organizations. or their lead
ers unless ihev are the direct or the indirect in
struments AMI aids of the rebellion. There will
he no interference with temperate and candid dis
cusSipnS of the acts and measures ~ the Admins
tration. or the organization of party which has
for It's object a change Of Administration. But
whore men in the pursuit OF these objects. assail
the existing Administration in violent and incen
diary language. and present arguments for the
consideration of the people whose practical
suits can he nothing bur violent opposition to the
enforcement OF the laws. and particularly 10 the
Conscripti0n Act, they make themselves obnox
iOus 10 the restrictions Ot the ORDER aud need not
be surprised il the military laid heavily
upon them
These are the views Of Gen. Burnside and We
presume those of Gen II ,scail do not materially
vary from them They are such have
ever acted upon in the conduct cf this journal,
and which We firmly believe are those hest cal~u
lated n restore peace and the Union Temperate
discussion at the proper time. will not weaken
the authority of the Government. or give aid TO
the Rebels, while at the same time it prevents
discomfort at home; incorporate discussion in
flames the passions unduly: while total sup
preston % discussion sets men 10 broodns and
plotting IN secret, the final result o. which. expe
rience tells us. is civil commissions anu terrible
excuses i New Albany Ledger