Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-07
GEN. POPE'S INCONSISTENCY OR
HYPOCRISY

GEN. POPE'S INCONSISTENCY OR
HYPOCRISY.
Gen Pope, in his attempt TO play the
role of the tyrant, is involving himself in
the most ridiculous Inconsistency. In
April he took Gov. Jenkins to task in re-
gard to an address recommending the
people Of Georgia not to organize under
what is known as the sherman Military
Bill, and directed the attention of the
Governor to the third paragraph Of Gem
eral Order No. ], in which it is declared
that civil officers shall not use any in
Huence whatever to deter or dissuade the
people from taking an active part in re-
constructing their State governments
under this act and he declared that "the
words shall not use any influence what
ever, shall be interpreted in their widest
sense and held to mean advice, verbal or
written, given to individuals, committees
or the public" Any officer violating this
order should "be deposed from his Office
and held accountable insuch other manner
as the nature Of the case demands" This
threat had the effect intended The peo-
pie and the press were thoroughly intim-
idated. No voice was raised in all the
State of Georgia for weeks against
reconstructing the State under
the military law There is eyi.
dence that the spirit was not wanting
but it dare not manifest itself in the face
of dictator with regiments of soldiers
to enforce his command In the latter
days Of May some citizeus Of DeKalb
and Fulton counties, holding the opinions
expressed by Gov. jenkins in the address
to the people of Georgia, applied to Gen.
Pope as perhaps the Poles would to the
Gar of Russia under similar circum-
stances, for permission to hold Con-
vention to organize a Conservative
Union party to oppose reorganization
under the military act In their call for
a convention these gentlemen say it will
be held "by the special permission of
Major General John Pope, commanding
Military District No. 3, who, when APP
piled TO- expressed surprise and regret
that his permission was thought to be
necessary. Here we have military
dictator Eliminating his "bulls" to a
coerced and unarmed people, with an
army to enforce his behests, and then ex-
pressing surprise and regret that these
orders and his letters to the Governor of
Georgia had eviscerated the people of
that State of their manhood
Now let as see how this military sa-
trap exposes his own inconsistency or
hypocrisy. On the Both of May the
Nationalist, a Radical paper of Mobile,
contained an article instructing the freed
men when, where and how to use fire.
arms, and for which Col Shepherd, the
commander of the post suppressed that
day s issue of the paper, because it vio-
lated a general order prohibiting the
publication of articles melting the public
to riot and violence A guard was placed
over the Office with instructions to per
nit no further editions to be issued till
proof-sheet be submitted" to Col Shep-
herd. The order Of Col Shepherd was.
promptly rescinded by Gen. Pope, and as
showing the character of the man, we
print the full text of his order:
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DTs-
TRICT, ATLANTA, GA, June 8, 1857
General Orders No. 28.-L The interfer-
ence of the Post Commander at Mobile with
a newspaper of that city is unauthorized
and entirely disapproved. He will at
once undo whatever action he has taken.
II. 1t is the duty of the military au-
thorities in this district to secure to the peo-
pie the utmost freedom of speech and of
the press consistent with law; not to re-
strict either. No satisfactory execution of |
the late acts of Congress is practicable I'M
less this freedom is secured and its exercise
protected by the usual legal means.
III. No officer or soldier in this COM
mand will hereafter interfere with newspa- |
pers or speakers on any pretense whatever. |
If disturba nee is feared from these sources |
the necessary precautions to preserve the |
peace will be taken in the manner and |
through the agencies prescribed in General /
Orders No. %, from these headquarters.
". REASONABLE utterances are not the /
legitimate exercise of the freedom of dis |
cussion, but even in such cases whatever ac-
ton is taken must be by direct orders from |
these headquarters, and not by any subor- |
dinate authority.
BY command of Brevet Major General |
John Pope. G. K. SANDERsoN,
Capt. SD U. 8. Infantry A. A. A. Gen.
Gen. Pope had himself interfered with
the freedom of speech" by denying to
Gov Jenkins and other civil officers of |
Georgia the right to discuss and oppose
and advise others to oppose the military |
law, under threat of be-
ing deposed "and held accountable in
such other manner as the nature of the |
case demands And now when Radi-
'al paper publishes an article calcula>
ted, and no doubt intended, to IN
lite the public to riot and violence, and /
IS suppressed by one of his own officers
Gen Pope promptly rescinds the ac-
ion of his Subordinate, and with
mockery of liberahty, declares
hat no satisfactory execution of the
ate acts ofCOngres is practicable unless
the utmost freedom of speech and the
press is secured, and its exercise pro
ected by the usual legal means The
of this profession is the more
apparent when it is remembered that
his selfsams Gen Pope has since re-