Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-26
Greeley DenOunces the "Grand Army
of the Republic"


The New York Tribune, a short time
since, in reply to letter written by
Henry W. Bennett, of Iowa, calling the
paper to account for denouncing the
"Grand Army" reiterstes its charges
and speaks as follows:
"These men combine for political pur.
poses. They propose to keep alive the
wrath and bitterness of that dreadful time.
They mean to control conventions and
nominate men to office-to perpetuate IN
our civil system the bitterness of war.
We believe the soldier should receive
abundant reward When a soldier and
civilian apply for Office, all things else
being equal, we should prefer the soldier,
But we dislike this making privileged
class, and especially we dislike this get
ting into corner and having passwords
and grips, and making an exclusive class.
Washington foressw this when he
opposed the Society Of the Cincinnati.
He saw in the association the first step
toward an aristocrscy, and he declined
to ally himself with it. What Washington
said should be remembered now. Here
is an association more numerous and
more powerful than the Cincinnati, which
purposes to ever keep alive war with
brothers and fellow. .countrymen, to exult
in victories over Americans, to rejoice
over the destruction of men in whose blue
veins runs the blood which courses in our
own, and who, whatever their crimes or
errors, are 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 harvests to grow again, of seas once
more covered with our commerce, educa-
ton for the ignorant, protection TO the
oppressed, justice to all.
I'VE say this, and sacrifice none of the
principles defended by Mr.. Bennett. He
is. no doubt, earnest in his belief that his
work is worthy. But there are crafty,
bold, bad men, who look upon these So
cieties as so many instruments for their
own advancement. They propose to
ally themselves with this military gov
ernment, with no more claim upon it
than ThenaFdier, in Hugo's novel, had to
be called the Sergeant Of Waterloo. He
followed the army asd robbed the bodies
of the slain. The true soldier sheaths
his sword and buries it in his closet, and
it remains an heir loom. he becomes g
citizen, and makes no claim fer political
honor but that Of citizenship. Above all
things he does not carry his epaulettes
and ribbens, his wounds and bruises, TO
a political convention, TO be knocked |
down to the highest bidder. There may
be many of these men unwittingly 10 the
Army Of the Republic, who probably en-
tered with the views Of Mr.. Bennett. |
They will soon see how they may better
occupy their time.
Especially 90 vs entertain these |
views when we find in the declarations Of |
these secret soldier associations SO many
expressions of madness. The true sols |
der is the most generous Of fpsmeD.
Take the great captains Who commanded
the eontending hosts. DO We find Grant.
or Sherman, OF Sheridan, or Thomas, or
Meade, assembling together aud bowling
for more blood, more strife, more bitter
ness2 Do we fiud Lee, or Longstreet, or
Johnston or Beauregsrd insisting that
the hates Of secession shall BE- prolonged