Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-10-25


greetln. PETROLEUM V. Massey,
RefOrmer.
The Soldiers Vote.
From the Mil. Evening Wisconsin.
1t is natural that both parties should
make q great effort for the Soldiers
vote, because they constitute mass of
voters numbering not less than 100000
in the Northern states, and strong ap-
peals are made to them from either side
for their SURFACES. Of course lavish
promises are showered upon them, and
the politicians who offer them do not
trouble themselves whether they are
able to fulfill them or not. E. M.
Boggs, Democratic sailor of this city,
has written letter to the Banner, in
which ne strives to arouse some feeling
because, as he AYERS, the Sentinel and
the WISCONSIN have spoken with disre-
spect OF the late gathering at >Indianap-
oils. We have stated as an unquestion-
able fact, that at the late meeting, with
some Union soldiers, were gathered
many deserters, repeaters and roughs.
This Democratic sailor shows his ig-
norance of the political antecedents of
the leaders of his own party. He says
thousands of soldiers and sailors are
supporting Tilden and Hendricks and
other war Democrats" thereby assum-
ing that during the great rebellion that
both Tilden and Hendricks were war
Democrats, whereas, in truth, they were
known as Copperheads, and of q very.
malignant type, too; and that is the
reason why the ex-rebels in the South
ern States are now supporting them so
strongly. The one-legged Gen. Sickles,
in brief speech to the veterans of Chi
cago, sketched very clearly the perva-
ding character of the Indianapolis
gathering. It should be borne in mind
that Gen. Sickles was in Indiana at the
time, and gathered his information
from those who knew best what sort of
Union soldiers are supporting Tilden
and Hendricks:
1 respect good soldier, no matter what
side he votes on. If he fought for the Union,
he had right to vote as he chose, and after
such service to the country, certainly no one
can question his privilege to join either side.
Or course l like to see them vote as they
fought but if they choose to do otherwise, it
is matter Of taste, and they are welcome to
do it. But I must say for that so-crlled SOL
L
ashamed to see any of my old comrades 80 in
suited by the company they were put in on
that occasion. Applause.] There were Ger
talnly several officers who took conspicuous
part in that celebration and I am free to &C
knowledge that prominent generals who
figured there deserve the respect of their
country. But, my dear friends generals ere
very well in their place, and are very useful
sometimes; but generals without soldiers can.
not do much laughter and aprlause]. and If I
have to choose between generals without
troops and troops without generals, will take
the troops and let each one of them act on his
own hook. Now, that was meeting of gen.
erals without troops. I will give you soldier
boys single fact in proof Of it. There was
the Governor Of Indiana, Hendricks, with the
Adjutant-G General of the State, in charge of all
the flags that the real soldiers of
Indiana had carried in the war, and they
could not drum up soldiers enough-In-
diana soldiers enough-on that occasion to
carry more than two or three Now in the re-
union of the Boys in Blue that preceded IL,
Republican Boys in Blue, 200 ef these flags
we're carried In procession. Then, soldiers,
this is another test. There was q delegation
Of soldiers sent up to the Democratic meeting
from Princeton, and in the delegation two
raal soldiers went TO the turnout. They were
both good, respectable men, but they we're
only two from the town. q Democratic town at
that. One of these soldiers had been Mayor,
and 1eel proud OF 1t. to know that ne brought
honor to the soldier and the other was the
best of citizens and good soldier. Both
came back somewhat ashamed Of the whole
affair. The Mayor lost his watch and the
other lost his pocketbook. Now I will give
YOU just one more test of what kind of
gathering that was. know that the boys all
of them, whether they train with the
Democratic side or the Republican
side can take a little whisky once in a
while. But On the day of the Democratic
turnout, it is said, there were about five thou
sand in the procession; well, now. / know from
very good authority that there was whisky
drank that day for 40, 900, and as for station
houses and jails in Indianapolis, they never
we're so much in want of room before. ZAP
plause.1 It was q hard crowd. And what was
the result? You know it was mere cover to
bring into the state, especially about Indian
apolis, delegation of the worst characters
from all parts of the country. And when we
got the returns from Indianapolis there was an
increase in the Republican majority CT 700.
tell you I heard men of all parties in that city
acknowledge with pride aud pleasure the Or
derly conduct, soldier-ike bearing, manly pres
ence, and SCARED fronts of the Republican
veterans who assembled there on our celebra-
tion and they referred, with shame and morti-
| fcation, to the presence in Indianapolis, re-
spectacle city, of such crowd and crew as the
Democrats brought there. Loud applause