The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-08-31
what's in a Name {?


The Journal attempts 10 be Witty over
the name of DURBIN WARD, and speaks
slightingly of his family as ''Rot much to
speak Of"
1t is. perhaps true that DURBIS WARD
did not commence the world with an IL
lustrious name. He has like many other
worthy men, made the battle Of life thus
far by his own efforts. lie worked his
way through College at Oxford. and, set
tling In Lebanon. won by his intelligence
and integrity. the respect and esteem of
that community. He became an eloquent
and successful lawyer. and was, for many
years. the esteemed partner of the good
and gifted CoRwN. As a Whig, he was Sc
lected from among the large class OF intel
ligent and able men of Warren County, to
represent that constituency in the State
Legislature of 1872 the first which as
sembled under the new Constitution. AS a
member of that body he occupied a leading
position, with the Hon. S. SHELLABARGRR,
who was then also "A Wing, and was uni
versally respected for his abilities and his
high sense of personal honor.
He was a supporter of the compromise
measures of 1850, and upon the dissolution
of the old Whig party. which was throttled
by abolitionlsm because it was faithful to
the Constitution and the Union, he was
left like many other patriotic men of that
noble organization, TO seek new political
afIinities. Like WINTHROP and WAsHING-
TON, Hunt and CRIrTENDEN, and thousands
of others who saw the fatal tendencies of
abolitionsm, he became identified with the
Democratic party. Always strongly ayerse
to slavery, he yet respected all the pro-
visions OF the Federal Constitution regard
ing 1t, and was willing TO abide by the
compromises Of the founders of the Gov
ernment. ,H
Feeling, like many others, perfect will
ingness 20 concede to the Southern States
within the Union, all their rights under
the Constitution, and ready even to fight
for them IL necessary within the Union, he
was opposed TO secession as well upon
grounds of propriety and eXpediency as
upon principlG, and when the war broke
out, acting upon his convictions, like Il
brave man and q patriot, he entered into
the military service of the country with a
mlsket in his hand, and canteen slung
over his shoulder, willing to start at the
bottom of the ladder of military promo
tion, as he had started frieudless
boy at the bottom of the ladder OF
life. lie made no high pretension to
a post of responsibility, where the
precious lives of gallant men would have
to pay the penalty Of his Ignorance of mil.
itary affairs, He made no demand for {
field officers commission as the price of his
devotion TO the service of the Union HC
entered upon level with the myriatls o.
private soldiers, and took his chances with
them. lie ate with them; he learned with
them the rudiments of the art of death
new alike to them all he slept with them
and submitted to all the requirements o
the decipline that he might learn to know
their wants and sympathize with their feel
ings. His Intelligence and ability TO com
mand soon secured his promotion. His eff
ficiency as an officer and his gallantry in
the face of the enemy, won the warmest
encomiums from the men who would be-
little his services, and cast slurs upon his
name and family, to achieve mere pollb-
ical triumph. Magnanimous patriots
Generous, grateful menl 10 you remem.
ber the bloody field Of Chicamauga, where
DURBIN WARD lost an arm and was dis
abled for life2 But now the yictory's won
he is no longer the gallant Colonel, lead.
ing his shattered regiment into the jaws OF
death at the call Of duty he is now, alas a
candidate for the suffrages of a people
among whom he has spent his whole life,
and be must be met with no grateful rec
ognition Of his past services, but with de-
traction and contumelyl l,. GO i
Such, Soldiers, is the appreciation of these
gentlemen for the services You rendered.
these men who bespattered you with praise
as you went forth to battle, as you were
told, for the restoration Of the linton. Now,
when you only want the Union restored,
which you were told the war was fought TO
save, when you refuse to bow down TO their
ebony idol, you are regarded as no better
than the "rebels' your conquered