Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-10-23
ANOTHER NUT FOR TILDEN.


The following letter was read by
Senator Logan in his speech from the
balcony Of the Bates House. II
may be well to preface it by saying
that the Rev. +. W. Flower, who writes
it. is an Episcopal clergyman now ofhci-
ating at Detroit. Mich, man Of unex-
ceptionable honor. and Christian gen.
tleman upon whose record there is no
breath Of reproach. Mr.. Flower has
hesitated to make public the facts stated
in this letter because he shrank from the
notoriety it would necessarily give him.
but, urged on BY friends who felt that
he owed il as a duty to give the state
ment to the world under his own sigma
ture, he at last consented Mr.. Flower,
it should be further remarked. served
during the war in the Eighth Michigan
Infantry, and had his leg shot away at
Spottsylvania Court House. He draws
pension. became thus acquainted with
the Pension Agent at Detroit, and hence
the address Of the letter Mr.. Flower
was on the stand at indianapolis. and
personally verified the facts read by
General Logan. But here is the letter;
DErRoIT. Mich. Aug. 10, 1876.
To Samuel Post. Esq.
MY DEAR SIR: Press of other matters
demanding my attention has caused my
delay putting in writing. as you desired.
the story related to you Of an interview
once had with Samuel ]. rilden. the
Democratic candidate for the Presidency.
The facts are as follows: In February,
1865, 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.
l was in the city Of New York. and
in March of the same year was ap-
pointed to temporary clerkship in the
internal revenue service. In June. 1860,
the Office Of Superintendent Of Exports
and Drawbacks was created. was in
dorsed for an appointment in this Office
by the Hon. Zach Chandler and the late
Judge Lonyear, who knew me person.
ally.
continued to perform the duties as
signed me in this Office till October,
1867. About that time Mr.. w. F.
Warren, the Superintendent (than whom
q more unfinching Republican. or man
Of more unimpeaehable integrity and
business capacity, never held Office, was
removed by the late Andrew johnson to
make way for Democrat. | suspected
there would be difficulty in retaining
my place, and had a talk with the new
Superintendent about the matter he
Uoid me that he wanted me 10 remain at
my desk. but that he could not re-appoint
me without the Endorsement of Samuel
]. Tilden. then Chairman Of the State
Central Democratic Committee. He
gave me letter of introduction to Til
den, stating my qualifications, experience,
ETC., for the place. called on the
great reformer" CD at his Office in
Nassau street Il think.) Mr.. Tilden
read the letter and then asked me if |
we're Democrat. replied in the neg
ative. He inquired again. "Will you
vote the Democratic ticket this fall. and
work in your district for the party 2"
/ answered that ] could not In sneer-
ing kind Of tone he asked what claim |
had on him for the place. | stated IN
reply that had acquired considerable
valuable experience in my particular
branch Of civil service-that | had been
instrumental in detecting. on more than
one occasion, attempted frauds on the
government. thereby saving the govern
nent several thousand dollars, and that
my work had been done in a satisfactory
manner. added to this, | said, al
fought TO sustain the government under
which you are now living in peace and
prosperity. and suffered the loss Of a
leg, as you can see, Il was then on
erutches.) Certainly ! might have
chance to earn my living in the civil
service after this"
Mr. Tilden few into a violent passion.
With the most terrific profanity be
cursed me for having gone 70 the war.
said it served me right and pity ! hadn't
lost both legs. He insulted the memory
of the heroic dead who had fallen on our
battle fields. he cursed the living witness
and actors in that terrible struggle. Can
any man who has spark Of patriotism
in him vote 70 place such heartless
J .-Copperhead" 10 the Presidential chair
Of our glorious union, cemented together
By blood and unfaltering devotion 2
Yours truly. i. W. FLOWER