Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1868-09-10

l-[Cincinnati Gazett.
Important Movement of seldiers--Meet-
Ing In Suppot ofGen. Grant, without
Distinction OF Party.
From the Pittsburgh Commercial.
Some days ago an informal meeting oi
soldiers was held in Pittsburgh for the
purpose of discussing the question as to
how they would vote in the approaching
election. 1t was found that, although
there were Democrats as well as Repub-
licaDs present, all were unanimous in
support of Gen. Grant. A convention
of all honorably discharged soldiers OF
Allegheny County, who desired the cleo
ton of Gen. Grant, was then determin-
ed upon, and call for that purpose was
prepared for circulation. This action
was taken without advice or direction
from politicians or party managers. The
call sets forth that loyal men, without
regard to party, sprang promptly to arms
when traitors attempted to overthrow
the government; that at the close of the
war, some who had gone away Demo-
Gratis returned Republicans, but not a
few returned with the expectation of
again acting with theonce glorious DEM
ocratic party; that now, when a ageueral
election impends, it is their duty again
to choose sides, not as partisans, but as
patriots. We quote from the call as fol-
lows:
"a true Union soldier can never be-
come a mere party man. Realizing this,
the undersigned address this call to
their fellow-sOldiers, not in behalf of a
political party or its nominees, but in
behalf of the peace and prosperity of
our nation, which are again Threatened.
Had the Democratic party spurned the
dictation of Wade Hampton and his CO.
traitors, and offered us a loyal, honest,
Union platform, with Hancock or some
Other candidate having good war rec
ord, some of the undersigned would not
have joined in issuing this call. But
with such a platform and ticket, champ
ioned by Wade Hampton, Forrest, Sem
mes, Cobb, Wise, Toombs, and other like
traitors, We cannot hesitate as to our
course. To say that the threats of these
known enemies of the Union mean
nothing, is worse than folly they proved
themselves terribly in earnest before, and
we have every reason to believe they are
equally SO now. Regarding this contest
as renewal of that We helped to decide
in the field, we have once more laid aside
all party feeling, and have re-enlisted
under the noble soldier who led us to
victory after others had failed. General
Grant is not and cannot become q party
man. He is a true, earnest, faithful
friend OF the Union. The Republican
party cannot claim him; though the
nominee of that party, he is, in fact, the
candidate of the true Union men of the
nation, just as Horatie Seymour is the
candidate of the Southern traitors
Hampton, Forrest, ,Semmes & Co., though
he, \ ka1
The call then invites all llhonorably dis
charged soldiers and sailors in Alle-
gheny County to meet on Thursday
evening, September 10th, at seven o'clock
in City Hall, to consider the expediency
of organizing an independent veteran
corps. II deemed expedient, it is pro-
posed to organize Veteran Union Pha-
lanX to support Grant, Colfax and Peace.
This call has been quite numerously
signed by both Democrats and Republi-
cans. 1t is another proof of the oft-re-
peated declaration that the great mass
of Union soldiers will vote as they fought.
We understand that General J. Bowman
Sweitzer, who has heretofore been war
is lending his influence to the
and will probably be chosen
as presiding officer. 1t is not understood
that all these Democrats, who are now
supporting Grant and Colfax, are neces-
sarily declaring their adhesion to the
party, but simply showing
their devotion to the country by voting
against Seymour and Blair, and keeping
out of power those Southern traitors who |
are now doing ali they can to overthrow
the Government and inaugurate another |
rebellion. In other words, they justly
regard Gen. Grant as "a true, earnest and |
faithful. friend of the Unio1s,n while Sey-
mour us the candidate of the Southern |
traitors "
The Convention promises TO be one of
the most important ever held in this |
County. Among the distinguished SOL
diers who have promised to be present
are Gen. J. f. Hartrauft, our candidate
for Auditor General, Gen. King, of Bal
.imore, who was Adju4ant General of
Hancock's corps, and others.