Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-09-11
A RELIC or THE PAST.

We are aware that it is a popular
idea to keep passing forward, but an
occasional glance at the past should be
relished by all thoughtful persons.
Hence, we produce one Of Lincoln's
war measures, as uttered by one of his
plant tools, who had no more regard
for the constitutional rights of "a free
press than o swine has for pearls, us
the following order will demonstrate /;
HRAp QUARTERS CHrAr Mr. DIVISION, NEW
CREEK, Va, November ~, 1852 -Generai Orders
No. S6.-In these times when our Nation is en-
gagged in a deadly struggle for lis existence a
struggle involving the demonstration Of that
great and mighty problem--he capIciiy Of man
for mygorerRment--and portenh1us Of cOnse-
quences more vast to the human race than any war
which has taken place since the dawn Of creation,
every obstacle Of success should be promptly and
unhestatingly destroyed or removed, cost what il
may.
One obstacle in the way Of a complete suceess
is the liberation in our midst of the publcasl lon
and circulation Of reasonable newspapers, which,
not daring In the loyal States, to advocate open
treason and war againstthc general Government
are coyertly seeking the same end by fomenting
party prejudice agast the Government. ondeav-
Oring to excite alarm about great National
debt and ruinous taxation, to bring the Govern
ment paper currency now n circulation into dis
credit and disrepute, advocating peace upon any
terms by disgraoeful compromise. and in yari-
Gus ways exciting opposition to the war, and
stealthily spreading a spirtof disaaection am ong
the people and In the army, aud poisoning the
minds Of both against the Government endeav.
oring to distract, divide and weaken iis efforts for
the vigorous and united prosecution Of the war to
successful termination. A corrup, and dsloyal
press or party may be tolerated 10 time Of peace
with impunity, while reason is len free TO combat
error but In time Of war, when the voice OF rea.
son is drowned amid the clangor Of arms; When
men form their opinions, however erroneous and
rush to arms to maintain and enforce them, no
newspaper or party should be tolerated which
dsseminates error and cultiyates hostility to the
Government
No Newspaper circulated in Western Virginia
has more baneful influence 10 this respect than
the Wheeling Pres, which is generally iaten by
the Secessionisis and feeds aud fans their preju-
dice and opposition to the best Government upon
earth. Beside the poison and treason which Il
stealthily and ceaseessly disseminates II has re-
Gently been endeavoring to excite and stir up dis
satisfaction, disobedience, and mutiny in the
army, by inveighing against army orders, and
cndchNoring 10 excite pFeJullcc hgalnst tnem ana
their authors, and to bring both into odium with
the soldiery.
1t is therefore ordered that the Wheeling Press
shall net any where be circulated or brought with
In the lines Of this command, and all officers and
soldiers Of this command arc hereby ordered TO
Immediately arrest any and all persons bringing
said paper within our lines or attempting to cir.
eulate the same therein and to deliver all persons
so arrested to Captain II. W. Hunter, Provost
Marshal. BY order Of
Brigadier General II. II MlLRoY,
Commanding Cheat Mountain Division.
JoHS o. cRAyKSs, Lieut. and Aide-de Camp.
Notwithstanding Milroy's proiessed
loyalty, he furnished more provisions,
shot and shells to tho Rebels in the
Valley than any other
He was Stoncwall jack
sons main support in the provision
line while he was allowed to remain in
that valley. His brief authority shows
that Milroy was more of fool than a
military commander, and, of course,
was disgrace totho army, and eiviliza.
ton in particular.