Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-09-27
NUMBER Is.

because, though they had been almost edu-
Gated into secession, they come now truly
honest and loyal in their adherence to the
Union, and were seeking to strengthen 1t.
But be did not feel in that way toward
Northern men who had once been disloyal,
and neither desired to associate with them
nor have them for his friends No such
men should have his support, nor ought
they to be supported by Mr.. Johnson's
friends throughout the Northern States. He
particularly i,lstanced, as specimen Of thls
Objectionable class of men, HESTER CLYMER,
the Democratic candidate for Governor Of
Pennsylvania, saying that to ask any soldier
to cote for such man, of, at one time, k1oo1on
disloyQlty, against another aoho had SerCed
four gears IN the Union army, aVith credit to
himself and benefit to has country, ooas a gross
insult. If men desired to support Mr.. John
sons policy let them, but at all events let
them vote only for such men as were true
to their country in 1861.
General Grant endorses nobody's policy.
OF course he has his own opinions, and |
presume will give them expression in his
vote but until he shall himself have ex-
pressed them, or become candidate for
some political ofice-a very unlikely oc-
currence-it is only impertinence in any
one to inquire what these opinions are, or
to presume to speak for him, or to associa-
ate him in any way with men who cannot
show clear record for loyalty.
The significance of this remarkable and
emphatic statement cannot be overestlmat-
ed. To be thoroughly understood, it must
be recollected by our readers that among
the old officers of the regular army it Is
considered a serious breach of propriety to
be involved in the ordinary political con-
troversies in which all other classes of citi-
zens engage. Gen. Grant evidently re-
spects this feeling of his distinguished mil
itary associates and the traditions of his
department, and has resolutely endeavored,
for this good reason, to avoid the arena OF
partisan politics. But even the limit of his
fOrbearance was reached by the ungener-
Gus, impudent and unauthorized statements
of orators connected with the Presidential
party, and he was determined to fatty con-
tradict the allegations of Mr.. Hogan and
Secretary Seward He speaks with no IN
certain sound. He does not support "My
Policy" and on the contrary deems it the
duty of every patriotic citizen to support
as candidates for Office "only men who can
show record of consistent loyalty" In
reference to the contest in Pennsylvania he
speaks in terms of unqualified condemna-
tion of Hester Clymer. declaring that it is
an insult to any soldier to be asked to vote
for such a man. He cordially and fully en-
dorses General Geary, on the other hand,
as one who had served four years in the
Union army with credit to himself and ben
eft to his country" and thus silences for
ever the calumnies of the Copperhead
press.
This authoritative exposition of the
views of General Grant is the crowning
disaster of the political pilgrimage to Chi
cago 1t brands with falsehood the only
statement made during that trip that shook
even momentarily the faith of single 10y
al voter, and it proves that the illustrious
leader of the national armies, like the rank
and file, "keeps step to the music of the
| Union !"