Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-10-29

The radical journals in some parss are
considerably excited over the lindiag eta
court martial recently bod at Portsmouth,
in which a military officer vas charged
with havin. used disrespectful language
tow ards the Commander -in.chicf OF the al
my and navy, and sentenced toa years
suspension from duty. rank &c. without
discussing the morris Of the case, or assert
ing that the sentence was deserved or 9TH
srwisc, We must improve the occasion TO
recall to the memories Of our radical friends
shs course pursued towards private citizsns,
shousands Of cases during the last six yeass
By the very party now..so savagely howiing
over tho approval Of the court martial BY
the Secretary Of the navy. In this case III.
Al VAS had and shs charges Of gross dis
respect conclusively proven. The verdict
and lscntcncs. though apparently severe,
s,rictly conform to military law. The
efficiency Of the military and naval forces -
entirely dependent upon rigid enforcement
OF di sciplne-and paramount to al! other
duties Of subordina,es arc those OF respect
and obedience 10 Supporters. Had the Ian.
glage proven TO have been used by Enein-
Ger Sawyer been applied TO Gen GRAFT or
to any superior naval officer. radical com
mcnts upon his sentence would have been
fewer and less bitter. bat directed against
the President the Commander n-chief,
the sentence is construed TO be, not win
dication Of law, but a manifestation OF par
tisan spite. But IL will bear no such con
strnction--not in the least degree.
Suppose We contrast the proceedings IN
this case with tho course pursued towards,
not officers guilty Of violation Of discipline,
but private citizens not under tie ban OF
discipline. Ia hundreds Of cases citizens
were torn from their homes At midnight.
hurried away TO National fortresses, and
imprisoned there denied the privilege OF
communicating by letter or in person with
their families or friends absolutely refused
the poor satisfaction Of being made &C.
Quainted with the nature Of their offenses,
and subsequently, released without any
more enlightenment. When these men plead
for . hearing, what Was the response
When they asked for trial was il granted :
When they were released from prison with
the faint Of disloyalty fastened upon them
were they informed why they had been thus
illegally treated why thus rslesseds To al
shis il will be replied that those were differ
snt times; that military necessity" and the
safety Of the country demanded these out.
raRes. That, however, amounts to nothing.
Tor the civil courts were oil open. and
through them the course Of Justice could
have bad its way. Other offenders were
heard by these courts-none hu. the VIC
Tins OF the War Department were shut out
from friends, family, justice and right, and
we're compelled to bear, as best they could,
their Infamous wrongs. Did the Radical
journals find fault ihens Not word. -
The shameful vindiclivenees Of the afro
cious proceedings found recorded there
should bring the blush Of bitter shame 70
their authors checks, us they did rouse
spirit OF deep indignation IN the breast OF
every American citizen whose respect for
con stitu,ional right and constitutional law
was not wholly destroyed.