Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-03-31
Gen. Burnside in Chieago-What he Saws
? about Order No. 81

zen. BURNSIDE was in Chicago last Satur-
Gay on his way to the scene of active duty.
ana ma was received by the Board of trade. In
the evening be spoke at Bryan Hall, where he
was welcomed In speech by DIR. BRA1NARp,
VINO 'hus alluded to the Generals famous Or
der suppresslng the Chicago Times;
It has been your fortune in the diSoborr,
OF your public duties to incur the disnIeaS,,SSe
OF some who under the pretence of Iihom+,. 80
| speech and liberty of the press have given aid
comfort to the enemy. Prolonged c6eerincrT
For your conduct, sir, with reference 10 sneb
we offer you our hearty thanks. TDeafan;no,
cheers. And we cannot but believe that baSS
the order you issued for the suppression of a
certain paper in this city been insisted ON
1t would have resulted in change of tone
and conduct highly beneficial to the country
and her cause. Long continued cheering
In his response Gen. BURNSIDE gave his
own views On the subject which--are interest
ing, as the first expression made by him nnb-
licly in reference to the order and its reyocg.
ton by the President. He said:
l have never felt that there was ANYTHING
wrong done by me, unless felt that I had
neglected to do something l ought to have
done; and | never afterwards felt that had
done wrong when felt satisfied at the time
| that had done what was right. TCheers,
Our friend had an occasion to refer TO an act
OF mine which affected this community to a
considerable extent, and had the appearance
| at the time OF an attempt to stihe the liberty
OF speech, and the liberty of the Press. I
| am as much an advocate for the liz rtv of
speech and OF the press as any man IN the
| face OF the globe can be, but when am sent
into department to command soldiers who
are to light the enemies of my countrv, and
who should be strengthened in all u pssible
ways by giving them encouragement, aid by
giving them cloths to wear, and food to eat.
and recruits to fill up their ranks when |
lind men IN that department opposing all
these means OF strengthening the soldiers
in the army, will strike these men in pre-
cisely the same way that l would an enemy
IN arms against them applause which contin-
ued for some minutes.) 1t is my duty to NV
country and my duty to my God, to strength
en- these men, who have daily for years, en-
dangered their lives in the presence of the
enemy. l would fail in my duty if l did not
risk all | have in this world in the way of rep
utation or position or even life itself to de-
TEND and strengthen these poor soldiers who
are IN the field risking their lives in defense
of their country. loud cheers) That is all
have to say in reference to this order which
I issued, and which was rescinded. I am
and hope to continue to be only subordin-
ate to the President, of the United States,
and could not possibly do anything that would
withdraw from him my entire support, in any
act he may order for the good of his country,
because believe him to be an honest and a
true man. Loud applause. That he has
made mistakes there can be nc doubt; we
have all made mistakes. But to say chat he
has made mistake and | have not, would be
very silly, that is it would be very insubordin-
ate-certainly. Laughter. l have no dispo-
sition to say anything more of the matter. l
entirely acquiesce in all he has done, and
feel now this night just as 1 felt the moment
| issued that order which was rescinded. 1t
was issued as l thought for the good of the
soldiers in the field, but [ feel now just as |
felt then, that the President is doing all he
can to sustain the Government of this coun-
try, to preserve its liberties and establish
peace throughout all its borders over every
inch Of its territory. Cheers.