Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-09-29

The indianapolis correspondent of the
Chicago Tribune says the most sensa.
tional feature of the great reunion in that
city of the Boys in Blue, was the
exposure by the Rev. E. w. Flower,
Episcopal minister, of Detroit, of Sam
Tilden's hatred for Union soldiers. The
Rev. Mr.. Flower served during the war
as soldier in the Eighth Michigan In
fantry. At Spottsylvania Court House,
Va, his left leg was shot off by the reb-
els. In 1865 he was discharged from the
United States volunteer army, and the
same year was appointed to clerkship
in the internal revenue service at New
York, and afterward transferred to the
customs service on the recommendation
of Senator Chandler, of Michigan. In
1867, Andy johnson, having accidentally
become President of the United States,
turned over to S. j. Tilden, then Chair
man of the New York Democratic State
Committee, the Government patronage;
and that Great Reformer at once removed
all of Mr. Lincoln's apppointees and re-
placed them with good sound reform
Democrats. Among others removed was
MIR. Flower That gentleman's expe-
rience with Mr.. Tilden is given in the
following letter to Mr.. Samuel Post,
Pension Agent at Detroit, which was
read from the balcony of the Bates
House by Senator Logan, of Illi-
nois. Mr.. Flower was present during
the reading of the letter, and, when SEN
ator Logan had concluded his remarks,
verified its contents. Subsequently Mr..
Flower was vodched for by the Hon. s.
ID. Bingham, Chairman of the Michigan
State Republican Committee, and Gen.
Trowbridge, Collector of the Port of De-
troit. The reading of the letter created
tremendous excitement among the vet
Grams present, and was the talk of the
town. The following is copy of the
letter, the original of which is in the
possession of Col. William A. Gavitt, of
the United States Treasury Department;
DETROIT, Mich, Aug 10, 1S76.-sAMUEL
matters demanding my attention has caused
me to delay putting in writing, as you de-
sired, the story related to you Of an inter
view | once had with Samuel ]. Tilden, the
Democratic candidate for the Presidency,
The facts are as follows: In February,
1868, / was discharged from the United
States volunteer army on account of having
lost a leg in the line of duty during the war
of the rebellion.
was in the city of New York, and in
March of the same year was appointed to
temporary clcrkship in the internal reve-
nue. service. In June, 1865, the Office of
Superintendent of Exports and Drawbacks
for the port of New York was created. /
was indorsed for an appointment in this
office by the Hon. Zach. Chandler and the
late Judge Longyear, who knew me person
ally. sf
continued to perform the duties assigned
me in this office till October, 1867. About
that time Mr.. w. f. Warren, the Superin-
tendent than whom q more unfinching Re-
publican or man of more unimpcachab1e in
tegrity and business capacity never held
ofiicc), was removed by the late Andrew
johnson, to make way for a Democrat. l
suspected there would be difficulty in retain
ing my place, and had talk with the new
superintendent about the matter. He told
me that he wanted me to remain at my desk,
but that he could not reappoint me without
the Endorsement of Samuel j. Tilden, then
Chairman of the State Central Democratic
Committee. He gave me a letter of intro
duction to Tilden, stating my qualifications,
experience, etc, for the place.
L called on the "Great Reformer"CO at
his Office in Nassau street Il Think. Mr..
Tilden read the letter, and then asked meif
| was Democrat. replied in the negative.
He inquired again, "Willyou vote the Dem
district for that party?" l answered that 1
could not. I,,.r .-...
In snecring kind of tone he asked what
claim had on him for the place.
| stated in reply that had acquired con-
siderable valuable experience in my partieu-
lar branch of the civil service, that | had
been instrumental in detecting, on more
than one occasion, attempted frauds on the
Government thereby saving the Government
several thousands of dollars, and that my
work had been done in satisfactory man
ner. Added to this l said: "I fought to
sustain the Government under which you
are now living in peace and prosperity,
and suffered the loss of leg, as you can
see." q was then on crutches) Certainly
| might have a chance of earning my living
in the civil service after this"
Mr.. Tiiden flew into violent passion;
with the most terrible profanity he cursed
me for having gone to the war; said it served
me right, and it was pity hadn't lost both
legsl He insulted the memory of the heroic
dead who had fallen on our te-felds; he
cursed the living Witnesses and act1rs in
that terrible struggle.
Can any man who has a spark of patriot
ism in him vote to place such a heartlcss
"Copperhcad" in the Presidential chair of
our glorious Union, cemented together by
blood and unfaltering devotion? -
Yours truly, K. w. FLOWER.