The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-02
MUST SOLDIERS OBEY ALL ORDERS.


conversations as reported, with reference
the extraordinary occurrences in Louisiana
it would seem to be the general belief tha
soldiers must obey all orders Of their super
ors, without any qualification or restriction
whatever There is also another, that is ira
ditional with us, that large standing armie
are dangerous to the liberties Of the people
this belief originating possibly from tn
former, that soldiers must obey all orders
and that these orders may be given by ignor
ant or MISUNDERSTANDING superior officers.
An unquestioned, literal and blind obedi
ence of orders has never been required o
officers and soldiers of the United States
army. The very first article of the army re
gulations, as issued from the War Depart
ment, restricts obedience on the part of Off
GERS aud soldiers to the "la,cfM orders" O
their superiors; but to such "lawful orders
I prompt and cheerful obedience is enjoined
This restriction is also found in the oath ad
ministerod to the cadet when he reports for
duty at the Military Academy, the oath re.
curing him to obey call legal orders of his
superiors." Thus we see that in the very
beginning of the military life Of the United
States officer, his obedience is limited under
the sacred and binding obi atoms Of an oath
to "lawful orders" Again: On receiving bis
commission he takes another oath to obey all
illegal orders Z" of his superiors, and this oath
is repeated on the receipt of every commits
sion to higher grade.
Tire justice of this, as we'll as necessity, for
putting such limitation on obedience, is too
apparent to be dwelt upon. For if such were
not the case, an ignorant or inscriptions
commanding officer might order his soldiers,
without any provocation, to shoot down un-
offending citizens, or do some other illegal
act. If such an order were obeyed, and death
ensued, the soldier executing the order. and
not the officer giving it, would be guilty Of
murder and liable to be punished for the
deed. The records of the War Department
will show that officers of the army have DISC
beyed orders that they have been tried by
courts martial for this disobedience, and have
been honorably acquitted upon the ground Of
the illegality Of the orders.
1t cannot be denied that, in the past few
years, the army has been used for purposes
never contemplated by the founders Of the
Government; that officers and soldiers have
obeyed orders that were clearly illegal, and
that such obedience has resulted in fragrant
of the rights of the people, by sub
ordinating the civil to the military power in
time of profound peace. 1t is fact, we'll
known throughout the length and breadth of
the land, that, in 1872, soldiers of the United
States army, under direction Of United
States Marshal, seized during the night the
in the capital of the State of
and it is claimed to be justified on
the grounds that it was in obedience to an
order from the United States District Judge
1t is also fact, equally well known, that
this Judge had no authority in law to issue
any such order, and hence there was no obi
cation on the part Of any officer to execute it.
On the contrary, every sense of duty, and
the requirements of his oath, forbade him to
lid in carrying it out. We have in the past
lew days seen that an officer Of the regular
army, and of high rank-Gen. De Trobriand-
IN auventurer who will be remembered as
,ne of the Herdlds "three hungry French
men" in days gone by-has, in obedience to I
= ORDERS" as he alleges, entered the legisla- |
i've halls of the State capital Of Louisiana |
md dragged out at the point of the bayonet |
MEMBERS of the Legislature of that State. In |
fielding obedience to unlawful orders, he |
-iolated his oath Of Office and brought upon
he service scandal hitherto unknown in |
ur country, and it is to be hoped never
gain to be repeated.
We have been led to make these remarks
or the reason that none Of the newspapers of
ne country that have so earnestly, and with
UGH marked unanimity and ability, de-
ounced recent usurpations in Louisiana,
ave thought proper to censure the army
Ulcers who have prostituted their honorable
aling to such high handed and unlawful
urposes. They have not been held up to
ublic indignation as they deserve Nor has
he General in Chief of the army done his
uty, if he has been correctly reported in the
ewspapers for these represent him as say
az, when referring to the invasion Of the
.ouisiana Legislature by Federal troops
They are soldiers, and must obey all orders"
The limitation put upon the obedience of
Ulcers and soldiers Of the United States
rmy, both by the Army Regulations and
aths of office, was not intended as idle form.
was designed expressly to guard the rights
nd preserve the liberties Of the people 1t
as also intended to give personal protection
, subordinate officers and soldiers when re-
uired to carry out or execute illegal orders,
nd because, if executed, the consequences
ould fall upon themselves, and not on those
tho ignorantly or from base motives issued
Gazette.
Disratl is bad with cont in the feet and cont