The national Republican., 1867-02-21
Soldiers for Office.

The radical party allude to the soldiers as
II they were the sole friends and defenders
Of the gallant men who smote the rebellion
till it died. They would have the men who
fought on the bloody fields from Manassas
to Pea Ridge and from Gettysburg to Gal
weston, believe that all but themselves were,
in fact, the enemies Of the soldier, refusing
him the Ineed Of gratitude his services so
richly earned, denying him equalized boun-
ties, and shutting him out from all public
places of prelerment. The only way to test
profession is by looking carefully to see
what it produces A pledge is best known
by its results. Nobody cares for promises,
however honeyed in phrase, irthey obStinately
refuse to bear fruit.
Now what are the plain facts as between
these radical professors and the soldiers
whose cause they assume to champion
Since the war, one may get much more re-
liable notion of the value of their fine
speeches than could have been had during
its continuance. A gallant soldier was nom
mated for Governor Of New York, and de-
feated by the vote of the party led by the
radicals. A brave and accomplished COM
mander, who went into the war in its open
ing season, and did not come out till the
echoes Of the last rebel shot were lost in the
distance, was defeated by the radical party
for the samc Office in Massachusetts, In the
Western States there were similar instances,
from Ohio to Iowa These facts signify that
party feeling is stronger with radicals than
gratitude to the brave men who followed the
flag till it was un(urled in triumph over
every foot Of the States in revolt.
In the distribution of Offices by the Presi-
dent, the Radical Senate betrays its real
temper and feeling towards the soldiers as a
class. Take several instances, which may be
conveniently Jumped into one, for proof of
the charge. In the last week Of January,
some forty nominations to Office by the Pres
idcnt were rejected by the Senate, thirteen
Of whiCh-Or about one-third-were cases OF
soldiers. Among them were officers OF high
rank and most illustrious services; men who
enjoyed, and still enjoy, the respect and
affection OF the men oftheir command. There
was Mai. Gen. n. Martin Curtis Of New
York, nominated to the Collectorship Of
Customs for the district OF Oswegatchie;
there was Lieut. Col. Atkinson, appointed
Collector Of Customs at Port Huron, Mich
igan; there was'Col. Beaumont, of New Jer-
sey; Gen. Thomas W. Eagan, Of New York;
Col. +. w. Pierce, of Massachusetts,; Capt
Church Howe, of the same State; and others
from New York and Ohio, ending with Maj
Gen Couch, rejected as Collector of Customs
for this port.
Now here is a plain and open record II
is not possible to shut ones eyes to it when
presented. Thirteen deserving soldiers
manned and covered with glory, but fol
whose willing sacrifices and exertions-a
those of the other heroes, living and dead
with whom they co-operated-the Senate
might not now be passing on Presidential
appointments at All-thrteen such rejected
by the Senate in a single week Who, then
is the friend of the soldicr?" Who is hi
enemy? Who grulges him the very recog
milton which his fellow-citizens would delgh
on all possible occasions to tender him
Who puts him off when he asks for an equi
table adjustment Of his bounties? The sol
ders themselves are putting these question
now, and the Senate will find they will hay,
an answer. All the loud professions of friend
ship that tongue can utter will fail to cove
Up acts Of mean hostility like these 50 tina