Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-08-29
speech of GEN. Manson to the De-
mocracy of Floyd County.

At meeting of the Democracy Of Floyd
county. held at New Albany on Wednesday last,
Gen. MANSON, upon being introduced to the peo
pie by Gen CRAvESs, responded as follows:
Fellow citizens Of Floyd county, appear
before you to-day unexpectedly. | arrived in
your city on my way to the front. and am here
only because | have been unavoidably delayed
in my departure. | am in 10 condition to make
q speech, for through IN health have for some
time been greatly Frustrated, and to day the
hoarseness of my voice will betray TO you the
great effort required by me to be able to talk at
all You cannot, therefore. expect me to make
speech. | will be frank enough to say to you
that do not believe it right or proper for officers
in the United States army TO be traversing the
country making political speeches. Every truly
patriotic officer feels that the proper place for
him is al the front with his men. or at all events
with his men, wherever they may be. To the
true soldier there is 10 higher sense Of duty than
that he owes his country. To the true officer
that duty ia plainly not upon the political ros
trum, exciting heart burniDgs where there should
only be harmony. and stirring up strife where
united. concerted action among the masses is so
absolu tey necessary TO success az the present
time. The officer who enters the service from
considerations of patriotism will not be found
engaged in such an occupation as this Tie
officer who does such things disgraces the uniform
Of the American soldier. and is unfit to wear the
emblem OF officer in the army of the Union
But there are men who DO employ their time
in this manner There are officers in the army
who are engaged in making infamatory and false
speeches for the purpose of stirring up strife
see before me to-day many soldiers, here no
doubt. IN the hospitals, from disabilities incident
to the service. | know IL to be the habit with
some speakers to threaten the Democratic party
with the soldiers. These meu know nothing
about the army. They are the stay at home pa
triots. or the men who hold positions in the army
where they are never exposed TO the fire of the
enemy The soldiers who hear me to day know
that in the army the same differences of opinion
exist on political questions as prevail at home
Men do not lose their identy or their right TO
think and speak for themselves by entering the
army: and IN its ranks you will find the political
sentiment about rs equally divided as il is here
among you. The Democratic party have moth
ing TO fear from the army. because all candid
reasoning men in the army understand the main
springs which work these speech making, non
Gghting shoulder strapped gentlemen and politi
cal demagogues
would here solemnly aud earnestly warn the
soldiers not to be used or misled by these men
Their appeals are made for purposes of the vilest
character. The man who AZ heart really
loves his country and wants her to succeed
not be found trying TO arouse the passions and
preiudices Of the soldier against the citizen; he
will not be found travelling around the country
and by misrepresentation and falsehood irving
TO create enmity among his fellow citizens, when
love and harmony should control our couasels
Do no, NV fellow soldiers, give ear to these
false teachers. Do not permit them, fog sinister
motives. TO involve you IN qusrrels, riots, mobs
or any other acts OF violence You are now in
al.
re establish their supremacy. 70 again unite this
distracted country Can you serve the purpose
for which you enlisted by creating strife at home5
Can you accomplish the great end your hearts
SO much long for by engaging IN acts OF law
lessness against your neighbors and friends az
homer fell YOU. men. that those men who
eogld inhA nc YOU 70 toe preparation of such
acts are unworthy OF your confidence. however
Dlausibiy or giiblv thev nav talk. Beware Of
their counsels they are fraugbt with a danger
you know not of: they are conceived in wicked
hearts and uttered by lips that would rot hest
tate 20 utter much more false and wicked words
Iney would get you into trouble md then be the
first TO desert you
These men agsins; whom they would infarae
your preudcss are your neghbors-they are
vorr relatives, your friends They sympathize
With you in all your hardships thew appreciate
and honor all your sacrifices They are as true
and lOyal to the Constitution as any of YOU. and
desire a. earnestly 81 YOU GO that this rebellion
bs crushed out Their SOUS. and brothers, srd
fathers sre your companions IN arms. Their
interests and your interests are the same. What
would hurt YOU would bur; them Thew can 10
more live unless this Govern men; il restored
than you can Can you. then, believe thst they
eouic be induced 20 commit such an act of mad
ness a. 20 array themselves against the Govern
ment. The thought is preposterons. The as
serton Is vieiy false. and the men WHO make il
are iais.hers. 1n~orthy TO be listened to. and
controlled by passions the most wicked and
malignant.
There are. nv fellow citizens apprehenSions
entertained among the people OF Indiana that
they will not. at the coming election be hermit
ted 20 quietly and pescesbly cast their ballots
Ii IS said that the soldiers are TO interfere al the
polls 70 prevent full and free election can
-ay here TODAY that the soldiers from Indiana
can never be used for this purpose. Were such
an attempt made they would return home TO vim.
dics te the freedom for which they now fight
ing Gov horion hss stated that there shall De