The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1876-10-27
TILDEN,s VENOM.
How he Denounced the Union
Soldiers.
An Authentic and Astounding
Statement by a Detroit
Clergyman.

he most sensational feature OF the
grand reunion of the Boys in Blue at
indianapolis, Indiana, in September last,
was the exposure by Rev. E. W. Flow
er, Episcopal minister of Detroit, OF
Sam Tilden's hatred for Union Soldiers.
Rev. f. w. Flower served during the
war as soldier in the Eighth Michi-
gan Infantry. At Spottsylyania Court
House, Virginia, his left leg was shot
off by the rebels. In 1865 he was dis
charged from the U. s. volunteer army,
and the same year was appointed to
clerkship in the internal revenue service
at New York. and afterwards transfer
re / to the customs service. In 1867,
Andy johnson, having accidentally be-
come President of the United States,
turned over to Smuel J. Tiiden, then
chairman of the New York Democratic
State committee, the Government pat
ronage, and that great ''reformer" at
once removed all of Mr.. Lincoln's ap-
pointees, and replaced them with sound,
reform Democrats. Among others re-
moved was Mr. Flower Mr. Flower
gives his experience with Mr.. Tiiden in
the following letter to Mr.. Samuel
Post, pension agent at Detroit, which
was read at the reunion of the Boys in
Blue at Indianapolis, Indiana, on the
evening of September Goth, 1876, from
the balcony of the Bates House, by Sen-
ator Logan, of Illinois. Mr.. Flower
was present during the reading of the
letter, and when Senator Logan had
concluded his remarks, verified its con-
tents. Subsequently Mr. Flower was
voucled for by Hon. S. d. Bingham,
Chairman of the Michigan Republican
State Committe, and Gen. Trowbrilge,
collector of the port at Detroit The
reading of the letter created the most
intense excitement among the veterans
present. Following is copy OF the
letter III question, the original of which
is in possession of Col. William A
Gavitt, of the [. s. Treasury Depart
ment
DETROIT. Mich, Aug. 10, 1876.
SAMUEL Posi-. ESQ. 1Ly Dem Sir
Press of other matters demanding my at
tention has caused me TO delay putting in
writing, as you desired. the story related
to you of ali interview once had with Sam
uel J. Til'len. the Democratic candidate for
the Presidency.
The facts are as follows In February
1855, was discharged from the United
States volunteer army on account of having
lost q leg in the line of duty during the war
of the rebellion. | was in TIE city of New
York. and in March of the same year |
was appointed to a temporary G1erkship in
the internal revenue service. In June, 1875,
the Office of superintendent of export% and
drawbacks for the port of New York was
created. l was endorsed for an appoint
ment iii this office by the Hon. Zach Cham
dier and the late Judge Longyear, who
knew me personally.
l continued TO perform the duties assign
ed me in this Office till October. 1867
About that time Mr.. w. F. Warren. the
superintendent than whom Il more I'M
flinching Republican,, or man Of more un-
impeacfable integrity and business capacity
never held oHce1, WAS removed by the late
Andrew johnson TO make way for q DEM
ocrat. suspected there would be difficulty
in retaining my place, and had a talk with
the new superintendent about the matter.
He told me that he wanted me to remain
at my desk, but that he could not reappoinr
me without the endorsement of Samuel J.
Tilden, then Chairman of the State Central
Democratic committee. He gave me q let
ter OF introduction to Tildlen, stating my
qualifications, experience. ETC., for the place.
l called on the great ''Reformer" at his
Office in Nassau street II think. Mr.. Til
den read the letter, and then asked me if
were Democrat. replied in the mega
tive. He inquired again. Twill you vote
the Democratic ticket this fall. and will
you work in your district for that party ?''
| answered that could not. In a sneering
kind of tone he asked me what claim / had
on him for the place.
stated in reply that l had acquired con-
siderable valuable experience in my partie-
ular branch of the civil service. that / had
been Instrumental in detecting on more
than one occasion. attempted frauds on the
| government, thereby saving the govern
ment several thousands of dollars. and that
my work had been done IN satisfactory
| manner. Added to this said II sought
| to sustain the government ssltler wisieh you
| are now living in peace and prosperity,
! and sufe the loss of n leg. as yoTt can
| see-4I was there on erutelIes1. Certainly
| might have chance of earning my living
| in the eiyil service after this -
Mr.. Tilden flew into n violent passion.
| and with the most terrible profanity lie
cursed me for having gone inso the war
said It served me right. and it was pity
hadn't lost both legs He tnsu!ted the
| memory Of the heroic dead who had fallen
OH our battletields-he cursed the living
| witnesses and the actors IN that terrible
| struggle.
Can any man who has spark of patri-
otism in him vote to place stseh a besirtIess
| ''copperhead'' In the Presidential chair of
| our glorious Union. cemenfed together by
blood aud nnhaitering devotion
Yours rraly, E. w. FLOWER.