The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-05-21
The Grand Army OF the Repub-
lIc and General Klse--A Card
from the General Explaining
Ilis Connection with that Or
der, and Exposing 1ts Parti-
san Character.

der, and Exposing Hts Parti-
san Character.
We copy from the Boone Co. (In-
dlaLa) Pioneer .he following card from
General Kiso which explains itself
Some time ago tho Repulcan paper
ut this place charged me with beng a
ofthe Grand Army of the Re-
p lblic, and pointed 70 its false asser-
tI0nR as evidence that tho orgaDiza-
tion above mentioned was not political
in It's character. do not know that
these assertions merit any further no.
tice than has been given them through
the columns OF the Pioneer, BY my al.
rcction and authority f; but for the IN
formation of Ihoso who have read the
statement OF the Republican organ, and
have no. seen u denial oflhcm from
me. l have thought proper 10 publish
this card over my signature, and to
say once for all, that / have no con-
nection with the Grand Army of the
Republic whatever, and no sympathy
with it's present objects ard pur-
poses.
Some time in 1866, believe, after
repeated solicitations from persons
with whom / had associated IN the
army, and who | had every reason 10
think were my friends, and upon the
most solemn assurance that the aims
of the Grand Army Of tho Republic
were Of o purely benevolent character,
l Joined the order. | never for one
moment thought by SO doing l was at-
taching myself to u secret political So
cieIy, or that the Grand Army of tho
Republic was to be used in the inter
ests Of any political party. The orga
nization was represented 10 me as be-
ing "a nature similar TO the Odd
Fellows or Masonic Bro.herhoods de-
signed solely to peTpetuate the friend
ships formed in the service, to advance
the interests of all worthy soldiers by
aiding them to got employment, to as-
sist and protect the widows and or
phans of such as had fallen IN battle,
and to preserve and defend the princi-
pies for which we fought.
These were the objects, and tho on
ly offsets, of the Grand Army of the
Republic us shown by .heir Constitu-
ton, as contained in the obligation
which l took upon myself on becoming
member. was not ashamed OF the
principles for which fought, for on
gong into tho army was actuated by
patriotic motives, and the siugle pur.
puse to preserve the Union and defend
the flag Of my country. ' therefore,
had no hesituncy IN encouraging the
order it these were its only Objects
] went to the army ut the outbrake oil
tho war with no purpose TO aid in
subjugatiDg the South or interfere
with their rights or estab Used institu-
tions of any Of the States. had
been Democrat, and innocently sup.
posed that this fact would not render
inc obiectlonaule to the Grand Army
ofthe Republic or any of Its mem.
bors.
Al tho election last full. voted for
the Democratic candidates and took
an active interest in the success of the
ticket. Judge Of my surprise on learn
ing that for this action of mine, AMI
for exercising The right to vote for
men and measures of my choice, l was
summoned to appear and answer the
charge Of conduct unbecomIng u
member OF the Grand army of the Re
dublic." II is true never wat
brought TO trial, ana majority of th'
members decided that being Demo
crat was not sufficient for expulsion
AT tho samo time, however, discover
cd that my principles made me repul
slve TO the "rullng spirits of the con
Germ and l paid my dues and Withdrew
from II, never having attended bu
two of It's meetings during my mem
bership. ... s.
1t is said l had no power to sever
my connection with the Grand Army
OF tho Republic by voluntary with
drawal 1t is immaterIal to mo wha
tho rules are on this Eubject--I nsve
took the trouble TO inquire, it is suffi
Cient for mo 10 know that the Crane
Army of the Republic is an outrageou
swindle-that my eyes hav'
been open TO its truo chaaacter-tha
nun ont of it and intend to stay out
The action of the order since my with
drawal from It, in Offering 10 asels
OoHRlVSo w " "ai uPoh WV
has justified me in leaving It, and con
firmed me in the belief that IL is So
cret political society Of the most dam
nable and dangerous character.
/ am Iee TO confess, that, in allow
Ina myself TO be "taken in" by tn
Grand Army of the Republic, dix
not display a very credible amount o
sovacitv made a fooIiAh bIunder q
havinh any thing TO do with an orga
nization led and controlled by an.
such Radicals and unprIncipIed donna
gogues as John A Logan. BL
there are few Of US who at some pc
riod of our lives have not been led in
to errors and guilty mistakes, Thoug'
l never know it until recently, InOV
hrmly believe that the Grand Army c
tho Republic was designed by it's pre-
| A oNn IN han N