The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-04-25
GENERAL SHIELDS.

The Republican organs throughout the
country are bending their energies to-
ward making political capital out Of the
preference shown by the House for the
Confederate Field for the position of
doorkeeper. Had the respective claims
of Gen. Shields and Gen. Field rested
solely on their services to the country,
the rejection of Shields would have
been an act of ingratitude so vile as to
merit the severest condemnation. Even
the circumstances connected with the
selection, which democratic con ressmen,
as members of party, may urge in ex-
tenuation of their slight, can not divest
their acts of blame. Shields is needy,
honest and patiotic. His patriotism was
demonstrated OH the bloody fields iii
Mexico and in the historic valley of the
Shenandoah. His honesty is shown by
his poverty. That the claims of such a
man should be ignored for those of one
who does not deserve so well of his
country would naturally arouse honest
indignation. Though the concern of
the Republicans is feigned and their in
dignation in bad taste in view of Sar-
gant's maneuver to head off a pension,
the democratic House deserves the lash,
applied with all the vigor of partisanship.
But the virtuous indignation of the
republicans is not justified by the cir
cumstances. The people might reproach
the democratic House, but the republi-
can party is not in a condition to do so.
While the republicans were in power
they were extremely jealous of dictation.
No matter what the antecedents of man
put forward by the democrats while in
the minority, he was not at all likely to
receive the support of republicans.
They always managed their own caucus
es and interference from the democrats
was rebuked as impertinence. Ben But
Ter who SO warmly advocated the ap-
pointment of Gen. Shields by democrat
ic congressman, voted, when the repub-
lican party was dominant, to exclude
this same gallant soldier from a seat to
which he was legally elected. This as
tute champion excuses that act by saying
that in disputed election matters he is a
republican. True, but his republican,
ism did not prevent him from voting, to
unseat republican from Massachusetts.
Buffers sympathy is affected, his indig-
nation assumed. If the republican par
ty were in power to day the claims OF
the old soldier which now appeal SO
strongly to republican patriotism, would
not be deemed worthy of recognition.
The party to which he belongs would
counteract his merits.
To save appearances, after their spec
ious support of Shields, the republicans
were forced to vote for placing him Oh
the retired list, but the republican sen.
ate had made no professions and no;
| having committed themselves were in 6
| position to withhold the aid which the
republicans in the House were forced tc
proffer. The object of placing men such
Grant and Logan on the retired list was
so apparent that it drew forth manly
letter of remonstrance from Gen. Logan,
Sargent knew that the additional names
placed upon the bill would secure its de.
feat. 1t was for this purpose they were
placed there, and Logan charges him
openly with this intention. 1t is pal
pable outrage on Gen. Shields by par.
ty who are loud in denouncing democrats
for their slight to the gallant old soldier.