Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-10-06
Tilden and the Soldiers.

Ohe OF the most startling incidents
OF the great meeting of the Boys in
Blue, at indianapolis last month, was
the reading ola letter from Rev. E.
w. Flower, and Episcopal minister,
of Detroit Mich, who served during
the war as soldier in the Eight
Michigan Infantry, and lost leg at
Spottsylvania Court House, Va
The letter which was written to Mr..
Samuel Post, of Detroit, contains
startling evidence of the feelings
which Mr.. Tilden in common with
every other copperhead in the North,
entertained toward the soldiers of
the Union. Mr.. Flowers character
and truthfulness, has the amplest Ell.
dorsement by some of the most prom.
inent men of Michigan and the ma.
tional capitol. The letter is as fol-
lows:
DETROIT, Michigan, Aug. 1e, 1876
Samuel Post, Esq.-My Dear Sir:
Press of other matters demanding
my attention has caused me to delay
putting in writing, as you desired,
the story l related to you of an in.
terview once had with Samuel J.
Tilden, the Democratic candidate for
the Presidency.
The facts are as follows: In Feb
ruary, 1865, 1 was discharged from
the United States volunteer army on
account of having lost 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 l was
appointed to temporary clerkship
in the Internal Revenue service. In
June, 1865, the office of Superinten-
dent of Exports and Drawbacks for
the port of New York was created.
l was Endorsed for an appointment
in this office by the Hon. lack Chan
dler, and the late John Longyear,
who knew me personally.
/ continued to perform the duties
assigned me in this office till Octob-
er, 1867. About that time Mr.. w.
+. Warren, the Superintendent than
whom a more untiinching Republi-
can or man of more unimpeachable
integrity and business capacity new
err held office, was removed by An
drew Johnson to make way for q
Democrat. suspected there would
be difficulty in retaining my place,
and had talk with the new Superin-
tendent about the matter.
He told me that he wanted me to
remain at my desk, but that he could
not reappoint me without the indorse-
ment Of Samuel J. Tilden, then
Chairman of the State Central Dem
ocratic Committee. He gave me
letter Of introduction to Tilden, stat
ing my qualifications, experience, ETC.,
for the place.
l called on the"great reformer'' (?)
at his office in Nassau street Il
think. Mr.. Tilden read the letter,
and then asked me if l were Dem
ocrat. Ireplied in the negative. He
enquired again, evil you vote the
Democratic ticket this fall, and work
in your District for that party?" l
answered that l could not.
In sneering kind OF a tone he
asked me what claim l had on him
for the place.
| stated in reply that had acquir-
ed considerable valuable experience
in my particular branch of the Civil
Service; that l had been instrument
tai in detecting, in more than one
instance, attempted frauds on the
government, thereby saving the gov
eminent several thousands of dollars,
and that my work had been done in
a satisfactory manner. Added to
this l said: 81 fought to sustain the
government under which you renow
living in peace and prosperity, and
suffered the loss of a leg, as you can
see. Il was then on crutches.) Ger
tainly | might have a chance of earn
ing my living in the civil service
after this
Mr.. Iilden flew into a violent pas
sion; 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 legs!-
He insulted the memory of the hero.
ic dead who have fallen on our bat
tie fields; he cursed the living witness
ses and actors in that terrible strug
gle.
Can any man who has a spark of
patriotism in him vote to place such
a heartless "Copperhead" in the Pres
idential chair of our glorious Union,
cemented together by blood and I'M
faltering devotion?
Yours truly,
r. " FI o1vUp