The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-12
THE Duty OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS.

munity Of American States suggest, among
other serious inquiries, whether American
soldiers are exempt from the duties OF Amen
can citizens; whether the army is part OF the
public spoils to be controlled by and IN the
interests of dominant political party, OF
whether its officers have been reared from
the public purse and endned with dignity
and trust as vigilant guardians of popular lib
erty, intent with alert patriotism. ''"e qud det-
rime,df RespJ,lica cap;at.
Assuming that many Of the officers now
| chartered in this State are gentlemen Of liberal
information, it is fair to infer that they are
familiar with the nature OF our institutions,
and are, by no MEANS ignorant Of the lessons
of history. They are, doubtless, aware by
what means Cromwell became Lord Protector,
and in reality, if not nominally, Sovereign Of
England; they have probably read how the
Council of Five Hundred was dispersed, and
by what agencies Gen. Bonaparte was made
Colsul for years, tor life, and at length En-
peror. Nor do we imagine that they have
read history i'll vain. We are, therefore, at a
loss to conceive what immunity they may
claim from constitutional restraints unless
military conscience is different from the con-
science which directs the conduct ofcivilians.
We are told that the officers of the army
perform with reluctance the work which has
been allotted them; that they have no sym
patty with our oppressors, but that they must
obey orders. We consider that this statement
in naught extenuates, but. on the contrary,
conveys an aggssravation Of the offense.
Were they ignorant We might commiserats
them; but their intelligence and culture are
important elements of guilt, and it is an idle
pretense that they are innocent when they
knowingly violate the law in obedience to
orders without warrant in the Constitution
nor is it mitigation Of the crime that they
despol a people Of its rights with no unne-
cessary rndeness. Grant that a refusal to en-
gage in the conspiracy may involve the loss
of office. We were accustomedto believe that
an act was the more illustrious in proportion
to the personal sacrifice it may have occa-
stoned.
We should regret were these ideas to be-
come the obsolete precepts Of al antique
school. We should the more regret it be-
cause the honor of American arms has been
ever cherished by the Southern heart, and
Southern soldiers have contributed many
trophies to adorn the temple of American
fame.
The gentlemen Of the army now residing
with us have in many instances received from
our people graceful hospitality On the
propriety of such hospitality in the existing
circumstances we refrain from expressing an
opinion. Gentlemen would scarcely have
consorted with assassins and banditti They
know how afrocious is the libel that has been
uttered against the people but not a voice
is raised to deny the calumny-to avert the
threatened destruction. Not merely passive
Iookcrs-on, they are active agents in the sad
.@...... ...=.....
A General whose record eomprehends the
devastation of the fruitful Valley Of the
and the indiscriminate slaugh-
cr Of the inhabia ants Of an aboriginal village,
advises that the people Of three sovereign
States he outlawed. The President and his |
approve the contemplated course; !
he Radical members OF the Federal Senate |
President. The tim es are ominous; there is |
imminent peril to the Commonwealth. Where |
re its armed defenders On the side of lib
rty and law, or on that OF wrong and out
age: Where sho,ah hey BE-, IS sohiiers and
IS citizens.
The embers of expiring hate are to be
lown into flame by tho breath Of vitupera-
ion and talsehood. The Imagination OF the
forth and East and West is to be excited by
irulent pretense of disorder and rebellion.
lie asarice for Office has generated in the
lorbid minds Of the>Isadical chiefs this san
uinary plot, and the impious attempt is
eng made to place kindred States in hostile
rray.
Plundered, insulted, impoverished and OPP
ressed, the white race of the South is to be
eyoted to ruin in political st. Barthslo-
lew. Will the army obey the orders to that
feet: Will the plea, II am soldier" be
|
There are two memorable presidents to
-hich we invite attention.
When the royal bisot instructed the Gov
rnor of Auvergne to engage in the murder Of
le iIuguenots, he answered: Sire, have
sceived Al order. under your Majesty seal.
put al the Protestants Of this province to
cath and if which God forbid. the order b
enuine. respect your Majesty still too much
} obey you ...a
When similar order was sent TO the Wis
omit of Orthez, Commandment at Bayonne he
,turned this nlagnanimous response "Sire,
have communicated the commands of your
[ajesty to the inhabitants of the town, and
} the soldiers OF the garrison, land l have
,und good citizens and brave soldiers bit
n one ,rsc,lion.r. on which account they and !
humbly beseech you to employ orr arms
II, al |