Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-11-29
An Outrageous outrage.

We took occasion couple of mornings
ago, to state that whoever supposed that,
the civil authority is paramount to the
military authority in this State is mis-
taken. We did not speak at random; wes
spoke from a knowledge that an outrage
had been perpetrated upon the person Of
MARTIN BAKER, of Hartford township,
Licking county, o., under military au-
thority, at the instance OF the Abolition
Judges of election of that township. The
facts In the case, as they have been avouch-
ed to us, are these A draft was made on
that township on the 4th of October, 1864,
for fifteen men and the customary percent
age to cover any deficiency by reason OF
failure to report and incapacity on the part
OF drafted men for service. MARTIN
BAKERS name was the 25th drawn out.
On the, 10Th of that month he was notified
to report at the Provost Marshals office in
Newark, which he did not do-thlnking,
reasonably, that some effort should be made
to get those into service who had been
drafted before him; and short time subse-
quentiy the required quote was more than
filled, from the persons whose names had
been drawn out before his-16 having been
obtained. No proceedings were instituted
against him under that call; he did not
leave the country; at the PRESIDENTIAL
election he voted; his vote was not challeng-
ed; but at the late election, the Judges of
Election refused to accept his vote, and
claimed to find authority for its rejection IN
their allegation that he was deserter. He
brought suit against them for refusing his
vote. On the 23d of October, 1865 he was
arrested by the authority of the Provost
Marshal at Newark, and was sent to Camp
Chase, where he yetremains in confinement.
On Monday he was put on trial before
Court Martial, and what the finding of that
Court Martial has been we do mot know. 10
Governor ANDERSON was applied to a
short time ago to make intercession In his
hshalf, at the War Department; but he
stated that he had no influence whatever
with that Department, and that he would
be more likely to prejudice BAKERS case
than serve him were he to call the atten-
tion of that Department to it. When Gem
Cox was applied to on Monday, before the
trial was commenced, we understand that
he said that If BAKER wished to get off
easily it would not be well for him to per-
sist in his prosecution of the Judges OF
Election for refusing to receive his vote at
the late election. u" 1H0 r lt.a
On the 18th of October, 1865, the War
Department issued an order interdicting
the arrest of any persons who had failed to
respond to their draft summons, and order
ing the immediate release of all persons
who had been arrested and were held for
trial for having in any manner sought to
evade the service after having been drafted
into it.
The question is pertinent, wherefore this
singling out of MARTIN BAKER? Why ar
rest him one year after he had been drafted
as a reserve to make good any deficiency
that might result from the failure to secure
or accept any who were drafted to take
precedence of him? Wherefore his con-
finement at Camp Chase for one month at
ter the War Department had issued its or
ders forbidding such arrests, and compell-
ing the release OF all persons who had been
arrested and were held to undergo trial for
falling to respond to draft summons?-
Wherefore did Governor ANDERSON not
take this matter in hand when he was asked
to do so, and'do something toward assert
ing the authority OF Ohio over her own
citizens, in time of peace, at least?-
Wherefore did General Cox, the commander
of the Department of Ohio, and the Cover
nor elect, intimate that MARTIN BAKER
might get off easily if he would withdraw
his suit against the Judges of Election WHO
refused to receive his vote at the late cleo
ton? 5T- tz-st a51 ss r-aih-'2 a-TF
1t is scarcely worth while to multiply
words about this affair; but it does occur
to us as one of the most vindictive and pro-
scriptive outrages that has occurred since
the present party came into power. 1t
stands, unredeemed by a single palliating
feature or circumstance, and more than the
sslow unmoving finger of scorn" should be
pointed at the men who have been parties
to the outrage, when, il ever, the suprema-
cy of the civil authority shall have been
established. 9' d'1 " 'iL .sJ.II4
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