The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-06
The Soldiers; and Sailors Convention
Rear Hmd Bogus Heroes.

The Soldiers, and Sailors Convention
Real Gnd Bogus Heroes.
from the HetG,d
On Monday evening as those OF our citizens
who reside in the vicinity OF Union square we're
enjoying the cool breeze and smoking their
post-prandial cigars, their attention was
attracted by display of fireworks and the
booming of cannon. Curious to ascertain the
cause of this disturbance they went towards the
square and tGpre found q brass band and big
bass drum, playing away in that popular and
eXhilarating style so familiar to those who fre-
quented circuses in their boyhood, The per
sons who were drawn 10 the spot by these
devices, inquired OF each other what it all
meant; but nobody could give them the nfor.
nation. Some thought a balloon ascension
was to occur, others that an itinerant mounte-
bank was about to perform, and others still
that some enterpri,ing dealer had taken this
means of advertising his bitters, his patent
medicines or his ready-made clothing. AT last
however, poster was discovered announcing
that the affair was grand mass meeting of
soldiers and sailors, to elect delegates to the
CLEVELAND Convention; ana so our cItiZenS
hayS6s quietly walked about, smoked their
6eaIs, aud listened 10 the music, as quietly re-
ttned TO their homes v hen the speaking began.
tHe newspaper reporters eood'naturedly or
saAlcally write OF the numerous audience
assembled and OF the enthusiasm displayed.
In point OF tact the meeting was a tlzzle, as all
gatherings under similar auspices must be.
The cal was Addressed to soldiers and sailors,
and IssnS~Hse s one which soldiers and sailors
edpport; but, al hough the evening was clear
ana beautiful, ana the fireworks lit up the
square no soldiers and sailors could be seen
These brave fellow Lave more shrewd com
mon sense than the managers of this meeting
give them credit for. They are not going to
turn out and hurrah whenever any politician
hoo IN NaI NNt.f fhnYa Il,1y -
management of this meeting had fallen into Che
hands Of some OF those military politicians or
political soldiers whom, above all others, they
most detest. The Cleveland Convention is
very well, although II would be better II the
Tepentent Rebels were admitted to share IN its
deliberations; but these preliminary gatherings
will all be failures unles, they are lntrusted to
the real soldiers aud sallors-those who fought
during tue war ana earned for themselves au
honorable fame. There are no characters
more contemplate than those bogus military
men who never saw d battle, who constantly
flourish autle to which they have only political
claim, and who won their promotion, not by
service IN the field, but by playing the syco-
phant to some official IN the War Department.
These fellow are desplseG by all true soldiers,
and laughed at by civilians. They are the men
who try to make political capital out OF THEN
brass buttons, and no movement engineered by
them can be eiiLer respectable or successful.
We want TO see soldiers and sailors conven-
lion headed by Grant aud Falragut Sherman
and Porter, Sheridan Thomas Hancock, and
Otner such heroes. The delegates to 1t ought to
be men of the same practical character SO that
the mere mention OF their names will be arpu
ment enough as to their patriotism and tneiI
wisdom. These delegates should be elected moi
by chance Gro Sd collected by beating a drum
and hehCing bonfire, but by the rank and fIC
of the great Union army, no man being allowed
to vote unless be can produce his military
papers. Among the delegates elected on Mon
day evening there are some good names. Tn
remarks which we have male do not refer t
them. On the rary, these gentlemen will
be the first to agree with us IN the justice of ou
observations.
They know as well as we do, that If the CevC
land Convention is 10 effect anything for tn
Union cause it must be carefully weeded OF th
bogus and buncombe heroes VINO are alread
preparing to use IL to manufacture politics
capital and secure fat Offices for their preciou
selves The professional politicians we're wis
enough in their day and generation to exclud
from their conventions weak AMI obnoXlor
individuals whose presence and prattle woul
iDjure the cause. We hope to find the soldle
and sailors at least equally discreet But
matters are to take the direction indicated /
the meeting on Monday evening, then it will
better for the soldiers and sailors to give
1he idea of q convention altogether, and lea
1he pOlit caDs TO conduct the campaign wtho
any OF those blunders which, at tins crisis, a
worse than crimes. ...,.