The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-08-26
Grants Military Ukass,

The more it is reflected upon the deeper
its turpitude appears, and one is amazed
at the audacity that could manifest itself
in an act of this kind worthy only of the
veriest despot that ever vexed the earth
or harried its unofending inhabitants. Is
the mau insensate, that he dares thus to
put in jeopardy the liberties Of a free peo-
plc Has this become government Of
force instead Of law? Does he not know
that men panoplied in the right dsspise
power? Does he not know that American
citizens know their rights, and knowing
dare maintain them2
We are pleased to record the fact, that
tho Democrats Of this town and neighbor-
hood, in public meeting assembled, have
in the most emphatic manner, expressed
their shot indignation" at this act Of dar-
ing usurpation. They mingle their pro-
testations against il, with those Of their
fellow citizens elsewhere, who feel that it
is an outrage Of unparalleled enormity that
should not be permitted to pass without
the sternest rcbuke that language is ca
pablo Of administering to it. We subjoin
tho comments Of the press, of different
shades Of opinion, who all unite in con-
domination Of it, except the reckless organs
Of Gantism, who think that the king can
do no wrong;
The Philadelphia Times, Independent Re
publican, says The letter Of Secretary Cam.
eron to General Sherman is an atrocious and
deliberate assault upon the peace Of the ma
ton. This is not matter into the discussion
Of which party politics can be allowed to
enter. It is above and beyond all considera-
tons Of partisan success, and the whole con
sentative and law.abiding element of the
country, Republican, Democratic or INDIE
pendent, will, with one voice denounce this
mlschieyous order which threatens the iber-
ties of all alike. Think what this order from
the War Minister signifies. In time Of
actual peace, when not q rumor of disturb
anee is borne upon the air, and when, except
in those States which are cursed with impo
tent governments, tho creatures Of military
rule, there is not even the pretense that the
civil authorities are unable to preserve order,
the General Of the army is ordered to hold all
his available troops in readiness. And why !?
because the people are about to exercise their
right as Americans citizens, to vote for those
whom they would have in office, and the ad-
ministration dare not leave them unhampered
TO vote as they see fit. Such an order, at
such time, would be disgrace to one of
the turbulent republics of Central America.
What shall we say OF it here, in the United
States, and in year when we celebrate the
trlumphs of century Of free government?
The Congress which has Just adjourned, in
compliance with the request of the Executive
voted an addition to the army to carry on the
war against the Sioux. The first response
from the Executive is this order; and it is
hard to repress the thought that the troops
now put under marching orders in the South
ern States might have been spared for other
work, and that the lives Of our brave soldiers
on the frontier have been wickedly imperiled
70 carry an election. Yet it is not against the
presence OF the garrisons scattered through
out the South that patriotic citizens protest.
But tins order putting them under marching
orders, this declaration Of WARRIOR ii is moth
Ing else-is without u justification. 1t can
have no other purpose than TO stir up strife,
70 irritate the whites, to mislead the blacks,
and TO prepare the way for the breaking down
OF all legal restraints, that the elections may
be carried by violence and fraud for the can
didates Of the administration.
General Grant was first elected President
an the belief that he would give effect to his
own sentiment, .sLet us have peace" and
now he closes eight years Of his own admins
tration by appalling usurpation and studied
efforts at violence. sRepublicans, quite as
much as Democrats, who prize their liberties
and the institutions of their country, mnst
speak now with no uncertain sound, and let
It DO known that this reckless abandonment
Of principle can receive no countenance from
them More than this, it mnst be so sternly
denounced that even President Grant and his
Secretary Of War shall understand that the
American people, North or South, white or
black, will tolerate no such insult as this, no
srihing with their liberties.
Tho Philadelphia Epeniao TslemaDh. Re.
publican, says 1.-THE order of the Secreta-
~ Of War to General Sherman Il such a
transparent campaign trick as 10 be utterly
unworthy Of the slightest respect. II cannot
be pretended that there IS any more necessity
now for threatening the South with such an
order as this than there was when Mr.. viii
iiams was told to stop working his outage
mill, but az the administration has given de-
finite notice that It Is both willing and anxious
70 send s'more troops az the call Of any Re-
publican ofiiceholder in the South who NAV
Mncy he has use for them, either 10 irtimida- I
ting the whites Whn might ia d,s,.osad o.. ,,t,.