Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-09-15
GRATITUDE TO THE SOLDIERS.

-+sps.
GRATITUDE TO THE SOLDIERS.
During the progress of the Rebellion, the
Democracy did not look upon the Armies
of the Republic" with much favor The
army "blue" was called "Lincoln's livery.n y
and he who wore it was sneeringly denoune-
ed as "Lincoln's hireling." The Chicago
platform pronounced the war failure and
virtually admitted the success of the Rebel
arms. But all this is changed now The
gallant and brave soldiers who saved the
Republic in spite of the efforts of rebel ar
mics and northern sympathizing Demo
Gratis have quietly returned to their homes.
and resumed the avocations of civil life
They have performed their part of the great
work, and receive now, and will ever receive
all the thanks and honor which grateful
nation can bestow The Democracy" are
aware of this, and, even at this late hour.
endeavor TO steal for political purposes some
of the glory of the battle field Perhaps
the richest effort of this kind may be found
in one of the resolutions adopted by the
Democratic State Convention of Pennsvl-
yania. Here it is
Tenth. That the gallant soldiers of the
Republic who so nobly risked their lives in
defense of the Union and the Constitution,
merit and will receive the undving gratitude
OF the American people Living. they shall
live in our warmest affections. and diving
their memories will be cherished for all time
to come. To say, as our political opponents
DO, that they fought and hled, and died
mainly for the freedom of the negro, is
gross insult on their patriotism and an out
rage which will be Indignantly resented by
their surviving comrades through the ballot
box
viii some of our readers be good enough
to compare the above with the sentiments of
William B. Reed, Ingersoll and other lights
which shone in the Copperhead Wigwam of
OF Philadelphia, when these same soldiers
were rsking their lives for the country.
Again and again, duringthe last four yeas,
these same Pennsylvania politicians, who
now adopt the above resolution, insisted that
the war was destructive of the Union and
the Constitution and was waged solely to
free the negroes. The Chicago platform as.
serted in plain words, that the war WAS a
failure and could not restore the Union. and
demanded cessation OF hostiities and a
conyenton. which amannted To a ,.irtnaI
confession, not only of the right but the
might of Secession. Now their tune is
changed Success is great touchstonc. By
a perfection of lying, seldom permitted to he
attained by mortals, in renewed lies they en-
deayor to charge their old ones upon their
opponents, The object is apparent They
now want the votes of the soldiersl
But at this time we refer to the above reso.
luton for the especial benefit of our Demo.
cratic friends in Delaware Now that the
war is over, and the Union and the Consti.
tuition have been saved by our brave soldiers.
may We not hope, some recognition of their
services will be made by the ruling party in
our Legislature. We are aware, that here.
totore the representatives of the "Democ-
racy' of Delaware, have refused on several
occasions to extend even the thanks Of their
constituents 10 the soldiers but it must be
remembered, that at the time of these refu.
sails the war was in progress, and it was
impossible TO say which side might be sue.
cessiul. They were exceedingly careful and
prudent, in the fear, that, they mint thank
the rrong side Now the victories of Grant
and Sherman have given them The cue-let
them speak
Ii is true, the ruling party in our Legisla.
re for the last four years have again and
again refused to acknowledge the services of
the Delaware soldiers-il is true, they re-
fused to approve the course of the brave
Major Anderson in defending Fort Sumpter
from rebels and traitors-it is true, they re-
fused to pass resolutions to sustain the GOV.
ernment in its efforts TO uphold the flag and
preserve the nationality OF our country--it is
true, they refused to lend their aid to assist
the wives and children of those who lel1
their homes and faced death in the struggle
for the Union, and it is true, they meanly
proclaimed their Secession sympathies bv
refusing pittance for the decent inlerment
of those Delawareans who fell upon the
bloody field of Gettysburg One would
think their record was made up and closed
But nothing is more elastic than the Demo.
cratic conscience. Their friends in Penn.
sylyania are endeavoring to father all their
old lies upon the Union men, and We suggest
that the same thing be attempted in his
State
In every State, where the question of al.
lowing the soldiers in the army the right 10
vote in the field was raised, the Demo.
cratic party opposed it-that party not
willing to trust the soldier with the ballot
The soldier is now at home and citizen
and the deception of all such resolutions az
the one We have quoted in this article, com
ing from such source, is too glaring to need
further comment