Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-07-19


cre our readers. We are to elect, in !
october, a Treasurer. Sheriff. County
Judge, Superintendent of Schools,
Coroner County Surveyor and Rep
escntative. So far as we have learn
ID, there seems to be a general dis
position on the part o. the Republi-
cans of the county to accord to re-
turned soldiers some recognition Of
their service in the field by placing
them i'll positions Of honor and profit,
when they exhibit the requisite fitness.
1t Is true the Democratic newspapers
and orators have, ever since the war.
declared tina, Republican otficc-seek-
ers were bound to retain every desir-
able Office; that they were very
friendly while encouraging soldiers to
leave their homes, break up their bust
ness, endure the privations Of the
camp and the hardships Of the march,
and to expose their very lives for the
public safety, bat that the moment the
veterans returned VIGOROUSLY to their
homes aud a disposition was manifest
edto recognize their services by propos-
ing them for civil offices, they turned
upon them the cold sholder. clinging to
their tat Offices and refusing to receg
nize any merit in n returned soldier !:
but we have always rebukel this
Democratic assertion as a SANDER up
on the Republican party, for while
the soldiers have received no offices
of honor or profit whatever in this
county, we see them houored by the
great Republican party of the State
and Of other States. While there is
occasionally an Office holder or office
seeker who has exhibited the spirit
o! which the party is 80 tauntingly
accused by the Democrats, we believe
the party as whole delights TO honor
the men who offered their lives for
the common veal. In our own coun-
ty, during the past two years, a vari
ETY. of circumstances prevented the
nomination Of soldiers for Office. We
believe, however, there is nothing in
the way of such action this year. and
We rejoice that there is so strong dis
position throughout the county, to
give the Copperhead SANDER the lie
direct. Soldiers, Of course, make no
demands They did not enter the SER
vice Of their country to qualify them
selves to become politicians, Proba-
bly, not a man who enlisted from Blu
chanan county did So with a single
thought Of what was to follow upon
his return home. Men do not expose
their lives upon the battle field for the
doubtful chance of civil Office. Our
soldiers went to the field because their
country called them. Many Of them
abandoned their business and made
themselves poor that their friends and
neighbors might pursue their occupa
tons in peace and profit under Tho
protection OF a benefcient govern
ment. Others lost health to a grea
or less extent, uniting them fol
severe labor. Others again lost les
lated. What more natural or Just thar
disposition manifested throughout tn,
North to honor these men, and to OF
fer them some recognition of thei
sacrifices fer the public good, b,
+ placing such Of them as are We.
qualified in official positions We be
lieye il has very generally been til
ease that Republican ofice-holders
who remained at home during tn
war, have, except under peculiar cir
cumstances. manifested great hesitan
cy to run against competent soldier
for office. Indeed, this feeling is yer,
natural, and it would be very surpris
ing We're it not SO. 1t requires pref
ty strong effort for such man to say
for instance, TO one-legged soldie
whom he knows to be competent 70
the position, "You got your sl6 pc
month in the army-your regula
wages, what YOU contracted for-an,
you have lost leg, you ran you
own risk-you are only citizen lik,
myself am as deserving Of this Of
fee as YOU are and shall get il If / ca,
figure my way to it, AS we befor,
said, soldiers make no demands, ant
offer 10 Mreats. Being in the minor
ity of voters, they are completely a
the mercy OF the party as a whole
| The party stood by them in the darl
days Of the rebellion and will not now
forget their sacrifices. The soldiers
Of this county have stood firmly by
the Republican party since the war.
They have not boliel the nomination
Of the party because there were no
soldiers on the ticket, but have waited
patiently for the fulfllmcnt Of the
promise of the leading members of the
party that the soldiers should be rec
ognized. The way is now open for full
fillment Of that promise. Soldiers do
not desire to be greedy, but whatever
positions may be accorded them this
fall, some Of the best and most import
ant offices will necessarily remain with
those who were not il, the army, as
several officers hold over.
THE LEAK CLOSED.
The great work for which Congress as
seEibled in midsummer Was accomplished
Oh Saturday last in the adoption Of dcclar-
atory bill which eneciuaily guards the dis