Indiana State sentinel., 1863-05-25
Gen. HascaIrs Order--Mr. Edgarton's

f.espOnse.
Having published the letter of Gen. Hascall, in
response to the one from Hon. X. Edgarton,
asking for explanations OF certain parts of Order
No, g. we to-day, as a matter of justice, publish
the reioinder of Mr.. Edgarton. to the letter OF
Gen Hascal. It will be seen thsf Mr.. Edgarton
protests with considerable acerbitv against the
strictions which Gen. Hsscall 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 to the extent of our power in keeping
down unnecessary and incorporate political
wrangling during the tendency of the war; we
cannot but think that some Of our Generals have
used language in their orders ind letters on this
subject the tendency Of which will be rather to
aggravate tran cure the evil of which they com
plain The people of the United States have be
come accustomed to full and Fl ee discussion of
all questions of public character that il will be
found difficult, we apprehend, to convince them
That there is now necessity to discontinue. abso-
lutely all discussion of the great questions in
which the humblest citizen rs well as the highest
civil or military officer is interested.
Nor do we understand that il is the intention of
the military authorities 20 prevent such discus
sion in n temperate manner, but merely to dis
countenance and stop that sort of wordy elo-
quence which. while accomplishing no good pur-
pose. tends, in times of civil danger. to infame
and irritate and bring about collisions among our
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 the correct Interpretation Of the views of
our commanding Generals from sentence in
Gen. Burnsides response e The United States
Court at Cincinnati. in the case of Vallandigham.
Speaking of the press and public speakers, Gen.
B. saws:
"Tbere Is no p,rty-no communty--no State
Government-no State legislative body--no cor
poration body of men that have the power TO
inaugurate 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. IL 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 weaken the
authorities of the Government aud army; whilst
the latter is in the presence of the enemy il is
cowsrdly so 20 weaken it," .f.t se.ii
This clearly indicates that Gen.. Burnside does
not intend to interfere with put a stop to q
moderate and temperate discussion OF political
questions In this view we are confirmed l,s an
article which appears in the Cincinnati CONNER
cial, and which doubtless meets the appreciation
of Gen. Burnside. Says the Commercial:
"lt seems to us there is nothing i'm the celebrat-
ed Order 36 which should disturb the feelings OF
any loyal man. 1t is not designed to abridge the
liberty of .he individual where that liberty is not
used TO the detriment ofthe Government. IL is
not General Burnside's wish OF intention to in
terfere with political organizations. their lead
ers, unless they are the direct or the indirect in
struments and aids of the rebellion. There will
be no interference with temperate and candid dis
cussioDs Of the acts and measures of the Admins
tration, or the organization Of party which has
for its object change Of Administration. But
where 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 re-
suits can be nothing but violent opposition TO the
enforcement Of the laws. and particularly TO the
Conscrption Act, they make themselves obnox
ous TO the restrictions of the ORDER and need mot
be surprised II the military arm Is laid beasily
upon them" ...0 So t5t
These are the views Of Gen. Burnside. and We
presume those OF Gen. Hescall do not materially
vary from them. They are such az we have
ever acted upon in the conduct of this Journal
and which we firmly believe are those best cslcu
lated TO 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 Il prevents
discop.ent at home; intemperafe discussion In
flames the passions unduly; while total cup
preston Of discussion sets men 70 sroodng and
plotting 10 secret, the nal result of which, expe
rience tells os. j. civil convvIsions And terrible
sxcessss.-l New Albany Lsdgsr