The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-09-27

We have made diligcnt inquiries about
Ben Wiley. that ponderous military and
political fraud. Occasionally we hear OF
him in the rural districts, firing the Re-
publican heart 10y INDUCING in their corn
Juice and barhecued meats. During the
canvass he has made hut two speeches
0that We have heard Oh, one in Cairo, an
effort that should commend him To the
exuberant and loyal Republican heart for
its depth and ingenious construction. and
the other the annexed brilliant defense @
his war record. delivered recently at Me-
tropols
Fellow citizens of Massnc county: !
appear before YOU to-day to discuss the
issues that divide the two political par
ties of this great country but before !
enter upon that discussion beg to say a
few words that are personal tn myself
It is charged against me that ! fled
from an Arkansas battle field aud
was dismissed from the army OF this
great country in disgrace. This charge
is false; and that you may be able to
meet the SANDERS OF my foes Will relate
the story concerning my dismissal.
When with my command in Mississippi,
VAS informed by letter from home
that both of my sons had become afflicted
with the sore eyes. Far away from
home and i'm the tace of the enemy what
fathers heart would not yearn for his
sore eyed boys; lapplied to my superior
tor leave of absence that | might come
and minister to my afflicted sons; but
leave of absence was refused me. Hence,
I deemed it advisable to hand in my res
ignation. believing that when | had
visited my sore-eyed children | could
return and rc-cnter the service. l acted
upon this determination and returned
home, where found that the afiliction
of my children had not been over-stated.
They were suffering from violent at
tack of sore Cyes-needing in that trOub-
lous time the care and sympathy Of
father. After the lapse of months |
heard nothing from my resignation. l
wrote hither and tbither. TO this man and
that man. but could get no satisfaction.
Finally made up my mind to go back to
my regiment and again take up my sword
against the defiant enemies of my eoun-
try. I did so. and then tor the first time
was informed that | had been dismissed
from the army of the United States.
Now. gentlemen. in all | did l had the
approval OF my own conscience. and that
consider better than the applause of
thousand men.
And again gentlemen. it is charged
against me that do not pay my debts.
in the year 1857 | entered into speclila-
ton that resulted SO unfortunately that 1
was compelled thereafter to make an as
signment of my property. Me and my
assignee applied the proceeds IN the
best way we knew how, and since then
| have been doing my best to get ont of
debt, and if | live long enough | shall
nav every dollar | owe in the world. i
never took the benefit OF the bankrupt
law. thank God. and never shall I: and
now gentlemen. with these remarks l
shall close. Ii | REMAIN on THE TRACK
UNTIL November shall see you several
times. when | shall expect to discuss
more fully the great questions which di-
vide the parties of this great country"
A reader of classic fiction would hardly
sAudder at it; but the fact that man OF
such meager ability is the nominee Of
any party for the position OF congress-
man, is enough to inspire disgust sufii-
Gent to last until after the coming cleo
ton. In all seriousness. Colonel Ben l..
Wiley, nominee OF the Republican party,
is the most unfit man for the high place
of congressman that ever foisted himself
on any party since the days of Washing
ton. lie lacks ability in every essential,
left the front when his command was be-
fore the enemy, will not pay his debts,
and wilIiully sacrificed a security, thereby
the sale of an old mans home
stead.
While we know that Colonel Ben l..
Wiley is tit nominee of the managers
Of a corrupt party, possessing. in an IN
finite way. all the qualities that are COM
mendable In Republican candidate, VIC
ire compelled to acknowledge him to be
he intellectual Lilliput of the Republican
political field. lie has ambition with |
only cunning to assist him forward he |
has cheek, without ability: and in commu-
mites where men are treated with less |
torbearance than they are among our |
clever people, he would he rated an eyre
gious ass.