The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-31
KEYS SILLY THREAE
Whs IL Going 20 Wage n bloody War against
the People

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN--Sir. In n
published letter, signed by ono who IL called
tho Hon. ID. NJ. Key. read these words. No
man need hope that tho schemes Of tho men
who have engineered tho movement to unseat
President Hayes can DO carried out without n
bloody civil war" I write to you to ask what
this bombastc. silly wanton, and indecent
threat really means.
Is this ID. VI. Key speaking by authority OF the
gang ofthevcs now controlling tho Presidency ?
Is he silly enough to bolieve that sensible mon
will shoulder guns to shoot down a lawfully
elected Congress- or any other supporters VI
law. in order to keep him or any Of his confcd-
crates in their stolen offices. after a thorough
and fair investigation shall have shown that
they obtained those positions through fraud
and forgerles
/ was a Union soldier during the late war
which believe il distinguishing difference
between this ID. VI. Key and myself-and am
ready to take up arms again at any time 10 help
preserve our common country IL necessary.
But repudatc with contemptuous scorn tho
idea OF a willingness on the part of any mum
Der OF my late comrades to shoulder even u
pop-gun to sustain this gang of usurpcrs
against IA legal writ Of rjcctmcnt if tho fucts
shown by the proposed investigation shall war
rant the issuance Of such writ by tho proper
authorities. From numerous conversations
with other Union soldiers since the promugu-
ton Of that silly letter. | am persuaded that
ID. VI. Key couldn't raise Il pismire's guard out
side Of the actual bencn'aries Of the Fraud 10
sustain either himself or any one of his guilty
associates in any position clearly belonging to
another. who. then. IL going TO make this
bloody civil war possible? Which one Of the
fraudulent SOUND Is going to declare 1t or lend
in the attack on the millions who believe that
votes should determine who shall possess our
Offices?
Let Key show tho man whom he proposes to
send out as n leader We would like to SEQ him.
He might be interesting as n curiosity but as
for lighting to redeem Keys loolhardy throat
imagine that nothing less than Deputy Sheriff
could induce him to come to the front
Docs this u. VI. Key after tratorously aban-
doning his own party and accepting a stolen
position on the other side. now have the efIront-
cryto officially threaten to convuse the swindlcd
country with bloody war rather than give up
the stolen goods2 So wild threat might suit
the purposes of rioters and brigands. but ST.
riously doubt IL official thieves have sufficient
courage TO even attempt such an absurdty.
ask again. which one Of tho gang OF thieves
proposes % lead the van In carrying ont this
prcposterously reckless threat Of civil war
Please let us know who is going to begin II.
Clearly enough. the Democratic party or it,
leaders have no such intention. for they simply
ask a sensible regard for and obedience to con-
stitutional law. and If a thief stands In tho way
of It's enforcement remove the thief. but lot the
law remain unimparcd and sacred Is there
anything revolutionary I'm that?
III these political pirates are not guilty OF the
frauds charged against them. they clearly have
nothing TO fear; but II they are guilty. they will
probably learn later on that idle threats don't
benefit their case. As well might pickpockct
or horse thief threaten TO shoot the Judge and
jury who had tried and convicted him.
earnestly hope that we have heard tho last OF
such sonseless menaces. A UNION SOLDIER.
New YORK. May 20.