Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-08-24
From the lafayette Journal (Kepublcao).I
The Soidiers' Receptions at Indian


That the soldiers who return from'the priva-
tons Of tho war, the long. weary marches, aud
the dan gers of the battle field should oe received
with public demonstrations Of Joy, and marks OF
honor, no loyal person will deny. But that
these manifestations should be accompanied with
bombastic speeches, unnecessary advice, and i'm
pertinent political haraugues Is most shameful.
Some of the returning regiments and batteries
have been subjected to receptions, at lndianapo-
liz that reflect no credit upon those who partict-
pated in them. a rev DAYS since. two batteries
and one regiment had reception in that city, at
which Colonel Baker, Colonel John W. Ray,
and Generals Wilder, White, and Vail made
speeches Colonel Ray was strongly in favor OF
pushing Macmillan from Mexico. General
White took grounds against negro suffrage, and
said he knew IL was the universal sentiment of
the soldiers to oppose it. He said he hated and
detested the negro. General Wilder said the
negro had been used to get up one revolution.
and nov parties were trying TO use him TO inau
gurats another. For himself, he did not think
there was any necessity for investing the blacks
with the privilege of suffrage; but between the
rebels and nggers he was for the niggers all the
time. If the rebels were no; allowed to vote.
then there would be 10 necessity for allowing
the negroes to vote; but If the country bad to be
ruled by rebels or niggers, he should vote for
niggers.
On another occasion Dick Ryan enlightened
the soldiers upon the subject OF drinking He
thought that when soldier wanted drink" he
should Ego and get one" and that they ought
not to be put under the apron strings Of their
wives and mothers" he was also of the opinion
that negro who had fought for the Government
was more entitled 10 vote than a copperhead;
but he also expressed the opinion. that the qaes
ton of suffrage should be left to the States Nov
10 our mind il was to the soldiers of no conse
quence whatever, whether Mr. RYAN believed one
thing or another-thst be Was willing the SOL
diers should drink or not drink These were not
subjects that they eared 10 consider q; that time
They were there for quite another purpose, aud
II Mr. Ryan and the other speakers had exer
cised little sense and some judgment. they
would not have inflicted upon them such uncal
ed for ard out of place speeches, and the State
would have been spared the imposition of no
small amount OF disgToce. We apprehend Gen
Wilder has performed deeds which reflect more
credi. on him than did his reception speech about
the niger Nor do we think the soldiers cared.
in the least what his opinion on the subject
of "nigger" voting. If they did care, he should
seek some other opportunity fer giving bis opn
ions to them; and il Col Ray was in favor OF
pushing Macmillan out of Mexico" be ought
10 have discretion enough not TO push himself
forward on such an occasion to exhibit his une1-
pected pushing disposition. Altogether, we
think there is no small reason for cengrstHlstion
that the receptions are about terminated. Ii is
small sacrifice for soldier, Who ha, endured
the hardships Of war for three or four years. to
be called upon TO stand Up and listen 10 such
nonsense and impertineDce as is contained in the
speeches 10 which we have alluded Having
suffered so much. they ought to DE com PEELED
TO submit 10 tue infection OF this last and great
est burden. IL is an outrage upon the soldiers,