Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1863-05-16
FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

still they grind on. That class Of md
yiduals whom tho sbolition,sts cal
"Copperhssd.," are not the only mer
that clamor tor free speechsnd freedom
Of the press to discuss this policy OF
that, or the acts of any man soever
There are Others who in the face and
eve. Of ali military orders to the con
trary. dare question the administration
and speak their opinions Of it's policy
Men may be arrested and hundreds
may be persecuted, but as well might
the advocates Of military necessity
attempt to dam the MisssslpP
with cobs chs a. to attempt to fe.ter tn,
free speech Of the people, their mas
teis.
There vas an instance in st. LOUIS
the other day that it will do well 10 put
on record. A certain obscure Brigader
General, whose name is Davidson, and
who assumes that the President is the
Supreme Autocrat Of the land, and that
it is an objectionable sin 10 question his
acts, or to ask him why do We SO is
sued tho following royal order
HEADQUARTERS, Sr. LOUIS DIsr.,
ST. Louis, May 9th, ls63. ,
MEssRs. EM,L. FACTORIES. II. {.
RoMBAUER, JAMES TAUsro, ETC Gen
llemen Il lave Just been shown a
published notice from you, as an APP
pointed committee. to the citizens OF St
Louis, for Peoples Meeting" At Con
cordia Park, on Sunday, the 10th inst.,
for the discussion OF our national affairs,
etc.
have to say that so much of the ob
jcct o:your meeting as refers to recon-
nend,ng 40 the President the dismissal
of MAJOR General Halleck from the chief
command OF the army" is disapproyed
by me, rs the military commander st
this city and district, and must be dis
carded from your discussions on tina,
day.
1t is not tho intention Of the military
authorities to interfere with peaceful as
sembsges OF citizens for proper deliber-
alton upon our national affairs, but those
of a partisan character will not he per.
united.
You mnst reflect, gentlemen, that it is
in these times, the duty Of those who
wear plain clothes, rs we'll as those who
wear uniforms, to support the President
and his appoint agents.
! am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
your obedienl servant.
J. ". DAvIpsos,
Brigadier General Commanding.
Could anything be more proscriptive'
He tells the people Of st. Louis that they
have no right to any opinion with refer.
enoe to Gen. Halleck or the duty OF the
President; that they, the people, are
merely machines, and that he will tell
them when they may talk, and what
they may say Bat the Germans, TO
whom the order was particularly ad-
dressed, could see the point, and regard
less OF the lnterd'ct OF the upstart Gen.
eral they went on in their own way and
held their meeting.
Among others, this meeting was sd-
dressed by Csspsr Butz, Esq., and from
bis speech we make this extract:
SPEECH OF oAsPAR BUIz, or CHICAGO.
The wind blows from the Souh |
have to turn ard-northw
from where the stars aud stripes viii be
carried over our whole lard. When |
left Europe, did not think tia. should
ever have occasion to raise NV voice in
support Of free speech. Yet now must
do it; and know that the people viii
maintain it. Fellow cit zens, ONLY truth
can free US. Cheers. ] speak as a
free. loyal man. My heart beats Tor the
whole undivided country our object is
not to overthrow our government, but 10
save the Union. Cbeering We eel
citrate to-day, q great day. To-day two
years ago, what was Missouri Honor
to the Germans for what it now is =
Two years ago all was gloom and dark
ness. II is due to the Germ that Mis-
seuri is now glorious loyal State ofthe
Union. Since that day the Germans
have maintained their honor un,arnished
and undisputed. They saved St. Louis
they saved Missouri. Blu, they have
yet an earnest duty to perform-and
they will perform it faithfuly-,o the
memory OF orr great immortal Lyon
Loud and continued cheering. Mis-.
SOUR has vindicated her position in this
great struggle - the FIRST Of the West,
ern States. and she will maintain it. |,
was IN Missouri whore John c. FIRE.
nost-lLong and continued applause +
Il sss 10 Missouri whore John c. Ere.
menf designated the policy OF the