The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-07-07
Horace Greeley,

This man who has for so long occupied prominent
position in Journalism is certainly most remarkable
bundle of Inconsistencies. Pending the secession
movement he took grounds that the Government had
right to seeding States, and yet soon be-
came the loudest monthed in bounding on the yeping
pack upon the South for doing precisely what be had
said she had perfect right to do One is disposed to
doubt whether there be such thing as honesty in
journalism at least in that of New York.
Greeley is guilty of another piece of inconsis-
tency. He seems to be to nothing, not even to
his prejudices Recently Henry W. Bennett of Iowa,
took him task for opposing the organisation called
the Grand Army of the Republic and receives some
hot shot in reply. The following is specimen:
Here is an association more numerous aud more
powerful than the Cincinnati which proposes to keep
alive war with brothers and fellow countrymen, to
exult in victories over Americans rejoice the
destruction of in whose blue veins the blood
which courses in own and who whatever their crimes
errors of our own country. We say let all the
memories of the past sink into the hell to which they
belong let us think only Of the wounds to be healed
of harvess to grow again. Of seas more covered
with commerce, education for the ignorant protec
ton to the oppressed, justice to all
We say this, and sacrifice none of the principles de-
Tended by Mr.. Bennett. He is, no doubt earnest in
his belief that his work is worthy But there crafty
bold men, who look upon these societies, many
instruments for their own advancement. They pro-
pose to ally themselves with this military government
with more claim upon than Thenandier in Hugos
novel, had to be called the Sergeant of Waterloo. He
followed the army and robbed the bodies of the slain
The true soldier sheahs his sword and bures it in his
closet, and it remains an heirloom He becomes a cit
Nen, and makes claim for political honor but that
of citizenship. Above all things he does not carry his
epaulets and ribbons, his wound and bruises to polt
ical convention, to be knocked down to the highest
bidder There may be many of these men unwittingy
in the Army of the Republic who probably entered
with the views of Mr. Bennett. They will they
may better their time.
Especially do we entertain these views when we find
in the declarations of these soldier associations
many expressions of madness. The true soldier is
the most generous of foemen Take the great captains
who commanded the contending hosts Do find
Grant, or Sheridan, Or Sherman, or Thomas Meade,
assembling together and bowling for blood more
strife? Do we find Gen Lee, or Longstreet or John
ston Bearegard insisting that the hates of secession
shall be prolonged? These men fought their fight and
ended Their anger ceased with the echo of the last
guns fired in anger. From this Grand Army of the
Republic parading through political conventions
in the West commanded by the captains of the caucus
the lobby, and the barroom, we appeal to the Grand
Army of the Republic which carried banners
a hundred fields under the eyes of Grant, Sherman,
and Sheridan We denounce this new secret associa-
ton out of sympathy with the true Republican party
and as inmical to the Constitution and the Union 1t
will be sad day for party when soldiers find no
better work than to prowl over the bate-feds of the
past and dig up the bodies of the slain. The country
wants peace and rest and harmony and Justice These
men want distracted country that Offices may be
gained. They would make America a Mexico; peace
would be sent to sleep with Turks and infdels, and
instead of Union, they would the wofuest division
make that ever fell upon this cursed earth"