The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-10-19
VOICE OFA TRUE MAN.
Gen. ". +. Bartlett, Of AEnss0ct'bsett0' De-
cJ0Tes for ridden and Reform
Rnstnn Pilot.


cIaTes for ridden and Reform
Boston Pilot.
Among the people of Berkshire county,
there is perhaps no one whose sentiments
on political topics are entitled to greater
weight than those otGen. Bartlett. His
gallant services during the war, and his
wide reputation as an able, conscientious
and upright citizen since the surrender
at Appomattox, have secured for him
warm place in the hearts of his country
men. Gen. Bartlett has been well known
hitherto as belonging to that large class
of Independent voters, and that these
people may know the sentiments of 50
distinguished a number of their ranks, l
am kindly permitted to make public the
substance of brief interview which l
had with the general to-day:
II have no hesitation in saying that l
am earnestly and heartily in favor of the
election of Tilden and Hendricks" said
Gen. Bartlett in answer to a question as
to his position in the present campaign.
II think the early prosperity and welfare
of the country are entirely dependent on
their success"
"Then you have no faith in the prom
ises made by Gov. Hayes in his letter o
acceptance?
"Gov. Hayes may mean we'll enough,
but look at the men who are supporting
him! Does anybody suppose that in the
event of his election Gov. Hayes is going
to say to Mr.. Blaine, Mr.. Chandler, Mr..
Morton, Mr.. Conkling, Gen. Butler, and
the rest of them, You are the men who
have brought the country into disgrace,
and then turn his back upon them?
Such supposition is absurd upon the
face of it. Look at Gen. Kilpatrick's
letter to Gov. Hayes. That shows the
kind of men who are supporting the re-
publican candidates. regard that let
ter as simply infamous, and if it can be
shown that Gov. Hayes received the let
ter without denouncing its author openly
at once, it ought to defeat him by itself"
"Being a soldier yourself, general,
what is your opinion Of Gen. Dix's cir
cular calling for the organization of the
Boys in Blue to aid in the election Of
Gov. Hayes" That circular" replied
the general, forcibly, "is simplyinfamous,
and it will hurt Gov. Hayes and his
cause far more than it can help him. I
am confident that the soldiers who car
ried a musket in the army will not be
influenced by any such appeals. The
war is over, and what the country wants
is peace and good feeling throughout all
sections. notice, by the way" con-
tinued Gen. Bartlett, chat some Of my
independent friends, including Carl
Schurz, who joined the liberal party in
1872 and cordially supported Mr.. Greeley,
now attempt to explain their opposition
to Mr.. Tilden by stating that they fear
the influence of the ex-confederates in
case Mr.. Tilden is elected. Now the
absurdity Of this excuse appears when it
is suggested that they did not entertain
those tears in 1872, when they obtained
in ten-fold proportion to what they do
now."
Gen. BartIett's long silence on the
political questions ofthe day, it should
be stated, are entirely due to his i'll
health. The terrible wounds he re-
ceived in the war, which left him with
but one leg, shattered his healthy greatly,
and latterly by over-exertion in business
he has brought himself down to a sick
bed. He is now able to take a short ride
during each day, and he is allowed to
converse few moments with visitors.
Gen. Bartlett hopes to be able to write a
letter more fully defining his position
shortly.