Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-10-05
The two soldier, ConventIOns.

The Cleveland Convention Of johnson
soldiers and sailors, though called for a mass
cary.uiion. numbered FIRE hundred and
Ahrfv-one soldiers and sailors, all told. Be
sides the Cleveland hotels. which accommo-
d,te eco or 200 persons. three large halls
and warehouse were rented to lodge the
members. The hotels were not filed, and
the halls and warehouse remained empty.
A. the Pittsburgh Convention, the whole
city. hotels, halls, and private houses, was
filed with the delegates. The number in
attendance was estimated az high as 90
600.
Not private soldier participated in the
Cleveland Convention. 1t was wholly OF
officers, and these were aptlY divided by
locker on into three classes First the De-
mocra,ie soldiers, men who went into the
army Hunkors and came out nothing else,
except IN so far as the general convulsion
had lifted them in despite Of themselves to
higher level second, soldiers who have
Obtained F, deral Offices and desire to retain
them and ;hIrd. soldiers who were seeking
similar appointments.
The Pittsburgh Convention was a grand
representative gathering of the late Army
Of tie Union; its temporary chairman a
private soldier; and with not rank or arm
of the service that was not represented by
numbers Of brave. patriotic, fighting men,
bearing the shot torn banners under which
they fought.
Instead Of endeavoring to "make trea
son odious," the Cleveland Convention
went out OF Its way to Tay honors to in
famous rebels Not a word vas uttered by
it in sympathy with the black soldiers who
fought for the Constitution side by side with
white patriots-not an expression in sympa
thy with the suffering Unionists Of the
South. 1t said and did what ITS members
thought would please President johnson.
The Pittsburgh Convention, representing
the people Jas well as the soldiers, took strong
ground il support Of the peoples Congress;
put forth a clear and bold declaration Of re
publican principles notified Pres. johnson
distinctly where the boys in blue stood. and
how much help he could count on from them
in his schemes of usurpation; reserved their
sympathy for the loyal men OF the South
and pledged themselves afrosh to the sup
port Of the flag and the cause OF freedom
ard true Union, for which they fought in
the field.
Tie Cleveland Convention was a cold af-
iair,-a perfect wet-blanket on any person
or party it was meant to help.
The Pittsburgh Convention was enthusl-
as,ic, to a jcgree which is illustrated in the
following description of the scene following
tie adoption OF the resolutions:
'.On their adoption followed another Of the
many grand scenes that have marked the pro-
ceilings Of this Convention. The vote on their
adoption was taken by the whole mass OF Dele
ga es rising to their feet ara giving three hearty
cheers Never before we're such unanimous
cheers given. The walls fairly shook. Ladies
waved their handkerchief, manned soldiers
hraniishe1 their crutches overhead. Hender
shott. the drummer boy Of the Rappshannock,
beat a roll on his drum. and even the eagle, Old
Abe,seenei to catch the inspiration and tapped
his wings as if to assent TO them. 1t was
scene never TO be forgotten"
Tie torch light professions and other de-
m1nstIations at Pittsburgh were rarely. if
ever, surpassed IN this country.
Gen. Granger, in presenting the Cleveland
resolutions 10 tie President, had the face to
say In them are reflected, as We believe,
the true sentiments Of the great mass not |
oulY of those who were soldiers and sailors
OF the Union army and navy, but of the
patriotic people Of the whole country"
\ holder misstatemcnt was never uttered. |
The soldiers are With Mr.. johnson as much
as the people are. How much the people |
are with him Is shown by the figures Of the
elections in Vermont and Name, and how
far the soldiers arc with him is uhown by the
Pittsburgh Convention.