Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-12-05
SHERMAN AND HOKDUN.

e'''t i*N~t tHt7y fhtVSht viz ot'St
material the world for soldiers,
because the most intelligent and
patriotic. We are not a nation of
soldiers but Repub lie Of fighting
men. and while our hea Is vearn
for peace, still the same hearts 90
out TO the military idols of the ma
ton 1t h been so from the days
of Washington to time of Grant,
anu excepting the case OF General
Scott every military hero who
asked or acknowledgement has
been honored by the highest civil
positions. Just at this time when
The Republic is filled with deserv-
ing and gall Mt soldiers, and one
has been honored as never man
WAS before, and as many believe
beyond his actual merits, our PEG
pie have grown for the moment
tired of military heroes, for their
deeds and names keep bad feelings
alive, add the pre- sent tendency is
10 consider, only the present wants
of the country, and many think
that only these who were most
aloof from the war on either side
can do this. With all due respect
for this spirit Of concilation, which
we APP rove, we cannot ayr with
those who would bury the past for
the sake OF feeling we would
rather resurrect its valor and hero
ic devotion, and tearing the moss
from the tomhS Of american SOL
diprs, blue and grey proclaim hem
the heroes of the Republic. whose
daring deeds are our common
property. Say what we may, this
generation will never forget the
soldier: and it should net. The
dead showed their devotion to
principle In battle, and the living
have been on both sides the fairest
justest and most magnanimous
men during the nine years Of agi-
tation. In this day Of good feel
ing the soldiers of both sections
clasp hands with no bloody chasm
between, only he grass-grown
flower cover graves of our common
heroes, too CLOSELY blended to be
separated by partisan hate or POI
litical ambition.
Ii Is said that the Democrats in
1876 wi nominate a straight-oui
Democratic, enti-miitary candi-
da @ SO sure as they do, ruin
more disastrous than any that has
ever overtaken this party will
come for tn y must remember,
in this II ,ur of rejoicing, that the
recent victory was not IA party sue
cess, but national revolution
the voice Of a free, brave people.
who care more for country than
that most digusting of battle cries,
a party name Why Should we
object to a man on account of his
calling, if it be honora bic ? Nay,
it it be honorable aad he succeeds
in il, why should not his calling
be an additional recommendation?
Grants sword made him President
without any statesmanlike quail
ties, and on the strength of his re-
cord he has kept party in power
and would perpctuate his own and
tnat party's existence in violation
of all the usuage and traditions Of
the Republic. But he has been
checked, or rather his advisers,the
Office holders, have been. We can
see no good reason in Grants
course, for ignoring the most inn
portant element. the present ex-
military. We claim that element
forms the moral backbone Of the
nation to-day, and must for long
years to ONE. Now, If in 1876
we can nominate under the aupi-
ces Of the Democrats, Conservatives
and Liberal Repub leans, a non
partisan soldier of unquestioned
learning and ability, like Gen. w.
Il. Sherman, Why not do so He
repre- ents the best element Of the
North, and he would gather to his
political standard the best men of
al parties. He would rouse the
people of the North as no living
man can and he would merit the
support as no other man could.
lie has learning, genius, and a
OfANAt E1uSAOuo hCdits bIct dD-
preciat,d by those who know him
best. With Sherman for the Cen
tenniai President, we would need
a man for Vice President who rep
resents the valor, devotion and
feeling of the South--a pure man.
enc who loves his country and hi,
couniry's laws. This man Is John
b. Gordan, of Georgia, than whom
no man is beloved Sherman and
Gordon would unite al. the discor
dant elements. and sweep the
country In the great Campaign
which we are now approaching,
as no mere paftisans with local or
political noluriety could They
are our candidates first, last, ana
all the time, till assured they will
not run. or aH uilauprpciative and