Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-06
RETIriNG THE MEMORIES OF THE
WAR

RErIrING THE MEMORIES OF THE
WAR.
Whenever the republicans do or say any
thing to bring up recollections of the dis
loyal character of the democratic party
during the rebellion, they are met with a
howl from all the organs of Copperhead'sm
about the bad taste. the cruelty and WICK
edness, in these piping times OF peace
of reviving the memories of the war. But
in their zeal for scandal with which 10
blacken the characters of prominent re-
publcans, they have recently brought up
, themselves, by their accusations against
Senator Morton. some of the most mia
nous chapters Of their disloyal course in
the war. Mr.. Springer. democratic
representative from Illinois, started the
story that Mr.. Morton, while Governor OF
Indiana, in 1868. procured from the Uni
ted States Treasury S250.000, which he
misapplied in various ways, the presump-
ton being that large share of it went
into his own pocket. The only truth
about the statement was that Governor
Morton received the money. He took 1t
as loan for the State by order of Presi-
dent Lincoln and Secretary Stanton, used
portion of it for purposes strictly legitl-
mate and patriotic, and accounted for
every dollar of it to the government, as
the vouchers from the Treasury Depart
ment which he exhibited in the Senate
Wednesday in his defense concusively
proved.
The political complications, says the
New York Times, (which made it neces
sary for Gov. Morton to apply to the Ma
or to keep Indian true to the cause of the
Union, belong to the history of the Demo-
cratic party. The Democrats of Indiana.
in 1862 and later, were opposed to the
war. By every possible means, secret
and open, they encouraged the rebels in
arms, and obstructed the efforts of those
who were helping to maintain the Union.
Their party speeches and resolutions were
seditious and disloyal, and many Of their
leaders invited rebuke from the forbear-
ing national authorities. In the election
of 1862, owing to a variety of misfortunes,
this party carried Indiana. Gov. Morton
was left alone, the only representative OF
the Union element in the Government OF
the State. The Legislature, which was
largely Democratic, began to exhibit its
1868. The Governors Message was re-
turned to him in an insulting manner by
the Assembly, and the ant.war Message
of Horatio Seymour, then Governor oil
New York, was adopted by this inf1amed
body as being the proper expression OF
Democratic authority in those times. Res
olutions manifesting the most intense hos
titv to the war for the Union and the
Administration of Lincoln were adopted,
and finally, a bill to repeal the Militia law
of the State, disband the forces, and put
the State arms into the keeping of the
Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, and
Secretary of State, all Democrats, was in
troduced and sought to be rushed through
under a gag rule. The Republican mi
nority. seeing that this was preparatory
to plunging Indiana into civil strife. lett
the Legislature without quorum. The
plot to strip the Governor of all military
power was defeated; but the State was
left without money for ordinary expenses.
Gov. Morton borrowed of counties, of
private individuals, and of the National
Government. For two years the civil
and military expenses of the State were
paid by his private checks. The State
credit was maintained. its institutions kept
in order, and its Volunteers in the field
were provided for by the heroic efforts Of
this one man.
1t is not necessary now to recall these
striking events in order to vindicate the
reputation Of the War Governor of Indi-
ana. Long since, Democratic Legisla-
tive Committee examined his accounts
and approved them in every item. The
particular count in the indictment pre-
pared by Springer is shown to be false by
the records of the Treasury Department,
which require no explanation. But the
Democrats in Congress, who seem to de-
light in entangling their own party, have
revived this chapter oil hstory-a chapter
Of which the Republicans of Indiana have
no reason to be ashamed"
Mr.. A. G. Riddle of Washington, believ-
ing that the statement made by Mr.. Blaine
regarding Knowlton-who was son in.
law of Riddles-reflected unjuslly upon
Knowlton, published letter on the 4th
manifesting some bad temper and making
threats against Mr.. Blaine. 1t will be
recolected that Mr.. Blaine merely men
toned Knowlton's name, while the letters