The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1868-10-22
Blair at the Soldiers Home.
HIS RECEPTION NOT ENTHUSIASTIC

OeHeTal DIlif visited the Soldiers
Home yesterday afternoon. 1t had been
announced by visitors in the forenoon
that he would be present during the
day, but it seemed to cause but little
more than ordinary stir, if any.
About three O'Clock in the afternoon.
when the Generals carriage came in
sight, quite a number of the inmates
assembled at General Ingraham's head
quarters, where they quietly witnessed
General Blair, Thomas O. Lowe and
Geo. w. Houk, Esqs., and others of the
same political persuasion. alight. There
was no cheer, no sign of appreciation,
perfect silence. if we except few sup
pressed expressions of disgust, such as
JEFF. Davis will be coming here next"
"Where's Vallandigham ?'' Thought
is wouldn't be healthy to come,' and
like CALCULATIONS. An orderly was sent
by General Ingraham to the different
barracks to inform the soldiers that
Gen. Blair would say a few words to
them in the hall, and also to have the
band play few pieces Of music. In a
short time the hall was filled. and Gen.
Blair entered the door, walked through
the length of the room, and took seat
on the stand Up to this time not a
cheer had been given, though we omit
ted to mention that one of the musicians
struck up the tune of ''Rogue's march, -
which was promptly and vociferously
applauded. General Ingraham then in
troduced Gen. Blair, who, Or rising.
was greeted with the stamping Of feet,
q smart sprinkling of cheers, and an un-
pleasant volley of groans. The General
did not speak above five minutes, and
said nothing Objectionable Or inaccu-
rate, except that ''all men Of all parties
had contributed toward the establish
ment of the institution"
The copperhead contribution toward
the establishment of the Home is too
well known to require comment. At
the close of his speech, which elected
not single cheer, General Ingraham
requested the band to play, which had
no sooner commenced than there was a
general exodus for the door. When the
crowd was outside and near the door of
the hall. l.some one proposed three cheers
for Grant and ColfaN, and they were
given with will, which must have
been peculiarly pleasant to Gen. Blair
Blair and his companions. Gen. BlaiI
| departed as silently as he came, having
received the most tunwelcome reception
| ever offered a soldier since the estab-
| lishment Of the Home. 1t is not i'm
proper to add, that is is well known
that the utmost efforts of Mr.. Gunckel
and the officers of the Home were re-
quired to prevent a. downright insult,
and a refusal to hear General Blair
speak at all. @
1t is idle to speculate on the reasons
for this dismal treatment of gentle
/ man who was once a gallant soldier.
Had he come with persons less obnoX-
ious to soldiers than his companions
now know themselves to be. and might
before have known ifthey had remem-
| bered that soldiers have not forgotten
their hatred of them when they most
needed their aid and sympathy, he
might have been received with the en-
thusiasm which has been accorded every
soloier who has yet visited the Home
He surely would have been made well
come, if soldiers could be made to be-
lieve he has not deserted the great Uni
on party with whom he fought for the
preservation of the nation, and gone
over to act in concert with those who
were its bitterest enemi,s in the time
of trouble and distress. Whatever the
cause, of one thing there can be but one
opinion--that the reception of General
Blair at the Soldiers Home, yesterday
afternoon, was the gloomiest and most
dismal affair yet recorded since the
Home was nstituted.-Dayton Journal
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