Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-11-08
THE ELECTION IL NEW YORK.
a.,. U,n. Bu,lsr's First General Order.

hsJ' osh butiefs FIRST Ssherhl oruef'
HEADQUARTERS CITY OF NEu YoRE,l
November o, 1864 |
GENERAL ORDERS, No. LIN obedience to
the orders of the President, and by the assign
men Of Major General Dix, commanding De.
partment Of the East, Major General Butler
assumes command of the troops arriving and
about TO arrive, detailed for duty in the State
Of New York TO meet existing emergencies.
To correct Misrepresentation to sootho the
fesrs OF the weak and timidi to allay the nerv-
business of the Ill advised; TO silence all false
rumors circulated by bad men for wicked pur-
poses; and, TO contradict, once and for all,
false statements adapted to inJure the Govern
ment in the respect and confidence Of the
people, the Commanding General takes occa-
sion TO declare that troops have been detailed
in this district sufficient to preserve the peace
Of the United States, to protect public property,
10 prevent and punish incursions into our bor-
ders, and to insure calm quiet.
Ifit were not within the information Of the
Government that raids, like In quality and
object to that made at St. Albans, were in con-
temptation, there could have been no necessity
for precautionary preparations.
The commanding general has been panied
10 see publications byNsome not-too-well-n-
formed persons that the presence Of the troops
OF tho United States might, by possibility, have
an effect upon the free exercise OF the duty Of
voting at the ensuing election. Nothing could
be further from the truth. The soldiers Of the
United States are especially to see to 1t that
there is no interference with the election, un-
less the civil authorities are overcome with
force by bad men. The armies of the United
States are ministers Of good, and not Of evil"
They are safeguards OF constitutional liberty,
which fs freedom to do right, not wrong. They
can be terror to evil-doers only, and those
who fear them are accused by their own con-
sciences, according to the inspiration of his
own Judgment freely. lie will be protected In
that right by the whole power Of the Govern,
ment II II shall become necessary.
At the polls 1t Is not possible exactly to sep
arate the illegal from the legal yote-"the tareI
from the wheat"-but tits possible to detect and
punish the fraudulent voter after the elec ion II
over. Fraudulent voting In election Of tht
United stStes officers is an offence against tht
peace and dignity OF the United States. Ever!
man knows whether he is duly qualified voter
and he who votes, not being duly qualified
does grievous wrong again.t light and know
ledge. Specially Is fraudulent voting deadl!
sin and heinous crime, deserving condign pun
shment In those who, having rebclliously sc
eeded from and repudlAted their allegiance Il
this Government when at their homes in tn
South, now having ned here for asylum, abus
the hospitality Of ths State and clemency of tn
Government by interfering in the election o
our rulers. Such men can pile rebellion upol
treason, breach Of faith upon perjury, and for
felt the amnesty awarded them. 1t will not b.
well for them so to do.
By command of
Mai. Gen. BENZ. Y. BUTLEN.
Capt. A. Y. FUFTEI, A. A. A.G.