The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-07-15

Eility of disappointment.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC-.Is IT
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
Some time ago the editor Of this paper took oc-
casion to comment upon the noble conduct Of GER
tain Federal soldiers, in paying an unselhsh rib-
rte To the Confederate dead The example given
was enforced by contrast with the action of other
member,i of the 'Grand Army of the Republic"
who saw proper to rebuke their comrades for
generous impulse The Soldiers Friend, published
in New York, does US the honor of copying OUT
srticle entire. with some running comments there
on. In concluding these comments, the editor
uses the following language:
The In.ellgeneer says that the Grand Army rs
an organization Of ''pariy politicians end unwor-
thy soldiers" We respectfully object. The or
ganization embraces many of the most eminent
soldiers and sailors of the war, while the body at
large is notable for the intelligence and ch aracter
of its membership. It has no party politicians"
and especially and emphaically rel ecs all politi-
cal action as an.crganization, to such en- extent
that, where the effort. to use it has been made, it
has, so far as We know, uniformly resulted in
causing disbanding. of the "Post" or "Posts"
concerned.
Now, in the first place, our article has been mis-
quoted, as We never intended to say that the
Grand Army of the Republic was an organization
of stparty politicians and unsrorthy soldiers" We
were not personally apprised of this being true,
and hence made no such charge But We did de-
clare that it was can organization controlled for
the most part by party politicians and unworty
soldiers" OF this fact, We think there can be
no doubt, our E5zend to the contrary notwithstand
ing. But We do rot propose, in this sutry wealth
er, with the thermometer at SO, 10 enter upon the
discussion of theme so heated in its character
In an exciting political campaign, we might be in
drced TO disregard our own comfort aud seek TO
convince our courteous contemporary of its error.
Under the circumstances however, we simply de-
sign placing prominent and we'll informed wit
ness upon the stand, and as close neighbor, the
Soldiers Friend can conduct rigid cross-e1amna-
tioa without inconvenience. For the sake Of re-
ference, we have, italicized such portions of the
testimony we are about to introduce us ha4S di-
rect bearing upon the point at issue. In an arti-
Gle not long ago, cordemnatory of the Grand Ar
my Of the Republic, brought out by letter from
Mr.. HENRY W. BENNETT, of Davenport, Iowa,
calling that paper to account for denouncing the
organization, the New York Tribune expressed it.
self with deliberation and sweeping force. Ger
tainly, the Tribune is orthodox in its sentiments
as 9 "trooly loil" newspaper, and as the annexed
extract is generally attributed to HORACE GREsLY,
we presume there can be no question raised as to
the competency Of the evidence. With these pre-
lininary remarks, We invite attention to the dec
larstiors Of the Tribsne
"7He,s men combine for political purposes. Tiey
propose to keep aliye the rGth and bitterness of that
dreadful time. They mean to control conventions and
nominate men to o6fee-to perpetuate in our civil
system the bitterness of war. We believe the SOL
6ier should receive abundant reward. When o
soldier and civilian apply for Office, sll things
else being equal, we should prefer the soldier
But We dislike this making privileged class, and
especially we dislike this getting into corner and
having passwords and grips, and making an ex-
elusive class.
washington foresaw this when he opposed the
Society of the Cincinnati. He saw in the associ
alton the first step toward an aristocracy, and he
declined to ally himself with it. What Washing
teu said should be remembered now. Here in an
association more numerous and more powerful
than the CiDeinaati, which purposes to ever keep
alive war with brothers and fellow. .countrynen,
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
ewn country. We say let all the memories Of the
past sink into the hell to which they belong let
rs think only Of the wounds TO be healed, Of bar-
vests 10 grow again, of seas once more covered
with our commerce, education for the ignorant,
protection 10 the oppressed, justice to all.
"We say this, and sacrifice none of the princi-
pies defended by Mr.. Bennett. He is, no doubt,
earnest in his belief that his work is worthy. But
there crafty, bold, bad men, vho look upon these
aoeietiss as many Instruments for their own ad-
paneement. They propose to ally themselves with
this military government. with no more claim up
on it than Thenardier. in Hugo's novel, had to be
called the Sergeant of Waterloo He followed the
army and robbed the bodies of the slain. The
true soldier sheaths his sword and buries it in his
closet, and it remains an heirloom. He becomes
citizen, and makes no claim for political honor
but that of citizenship. Above all things he docs
not carry his epnuets and ribbons, his wounds
and bruises to political convention, to be knock
ed down 10 the highest bidder. There may be
many Of these men unwiitingly in the army of the
Republic who probably entered with the views Of
Mr. Bennett. They will soon see how they may
better occupy their time
Especially do We entertain these views when
we find in the declarations of these secret soldier
associations so many expressions of madness.
The true soldier is the most generous of foemen.
Take the great captains who commanded the con-
tending hosts. DO ne find Grant, or Sherman, or
Sheridan, or Thomas, or Meade, assembling to-
gether and bowling for more blood, more strife,
more bitterness? Do we find Lee, or Lcngsireet.
or Johnston, Beauregard insisting TINT the
hates of secession shall be prolonged;? These
men fought their fight and ended. Their anger
ceased with the echo Of the last guns fred in. an
ger. From this Granu Army osihe Republic now
paradng through political conventions in the
West, commanded By the captains Of the caucus, the
lobby, and the bar-rooms, we appeal to the Grand
Army of the Republic which carried out banners