Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-09-21

The One Armed Soldier.
The Plymaath Democrat of last
week copies the article in the REPUB
LIcAN of the 9TH inst in regard to the
candidacy of Mr.. g. W. Swank for the
position of County Sheriff. For this
favor we are properly thankful, since
now the claims of Mr. Swank are fair
ly before the whole people OF the
county. But in doing so the Demo-
crat has another object. to show the
indifference Of the Republicans OF this
county to the claims of the soldier.
We are willing to acknowledge that
we are not "very well posted in the
politics OF Marshall county, as our
single months residence here is a
sufficient reason therefor. But on
this very account We claim to have
done Justice in the above article to
all parties concerned. II the Repub-
licans of this county, some eight or
ten years ago, proved Qor any reason)
recreant in doing the just thing by a
worthy applicant for office now is the
time and opportunity to correct that
injustice. Our advocacy of Mr..
Swank was not simply because he
was a soldier, as the Democrat would
have its readers believe, nor even be-
cause he left IAN arm on Southern
soil", but because his course since the
war has proven him a gentleman OF
manly independence and heroic en-
deavors to earn livelihood under a
physical disability; and the reference
to his war record was given to show
that he had been a self-sacrificing
patrioG in the nations time OF need,
and why he was obliged to work as
he did. Does the Democrat wish it
to be understood that this fact de-
tracts anything from his just claims
to the position?
We do not advocate the candidacy
or election Of any manto Office sim
ply because he was a soldier; nor be-
cause he lost an arm in the service !;
but, other things being equal, we do
claim that these facts are nothing de-
rogatory to him-nay, more, that they
call for the highest respect of every
patriotic citizen. We could and would
just as willingly and conscientiously
support the claims Of Mr.. Swank had
be lost his arm in threshing ma
chine or in any other accidental man.
ner. Our commentator Of that
gentleman's claims to the suffrages Of
our citizens was based on higher
grounds than these, and the fact that
he is an one-armed soldier was Sec
ondary consideration. And now will
the Democrat (Which will hardly de-
ny, we think, that it is a friend Of the
soldier) please to say whether Mr..
Swank is any less worthy Of the posi-
ton OF Sheriff because he happened
to be soldier, or "left an arm on
Southern soil"? If the Democracy are
so anxious, as BLUE Jeans" asserts, to
"do what was right" by the soldiers.
will they not supports worthy man
as Mr.. Swank, now that he is bodily
disabled, and not vote to continue in
office a man with two strong arms"
who was not a soldier?
Perhaps we might say, in closing,
that the spectacle Of the Democracy,
as represented by their organ, de-
handing that the Republican party
IDEAL fairly" by the soldier is about
equally ludicrous andimpudent. The
people in general know about how
much sympathy the Democracy have
generally felt for the soldier, and this
new born anxiety OF the Democrat to
see that the soldier has fair play at
the hands OF the Republican party Is
truly touching. But the Democrat is
sure that "the people have no inten-
ton Of electing anybody but MIR.
Fink" Then why not have spared
yours elf your anxiety about the "one-
armed soldier? II the people have
mo intention" OF electing Mr.. Swank
why discuss the matter? 1t Is the
REPUBLICANS private opinion that
~the people intend" to reward the gal
liant services and meritoriousc conduct
OF Mr. Geo. w. Swank by making him
Sheriff Of Marshall county on the 10th
day OF October. Are We not right,
fellow citizens?