The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-09-05
ONE TO OPEN THE EYES,
Why These Lugubri0us Tears for the
Soldier, Which Athert0n is Shedding.
1t is the Bright Day that Brings
Forth the Adder.

in your issue Of August 9th an article
signed by "Those who have worn the Blue"
appeared, which needs rebuke from the
soldiers who have suered flor the good of
our country. It is surprising how adroit he
thinks lodging the whole question at issue.
The subject discussed in the former article
was not the doings of President Grants
Administration with respect to the rebels;
or the makeup of President Hays Cabinet;
nor even the prospective candidates for
the Vice Presidency, but the question at
issue was Mr.. Atherton's claims upon the
soldiers vote of the Fourteenth District
and to this question desire to hold the
writer of said article.
What then are these claims? Intense love
for the soldier; great. sorrow that his boun-
ties and pensions have not been equalized.
Is this profession sincere one? We can
only judge of men by what they have done
and are doing. AS to what Mr.. Atherton
has done in opposition to the draft, and in
denunciation of the soldiers, has been fully
charged, and 30 far rs l can learn has
never been denied. This was his friendship
for the soldier when friendship could avail
something for him. When he stood before
rebel cannon aud in the presence Of super
ior numbers of the enemies, he called for
help and het Government called for volun-
teers to go to his aid, ,ebut these quondam
friends of his did all in their power to dis
courage enlisments, and when the Govern
ment was compelled, to protect the soldier
in his peril, to levy draft for men, these
same Vallanbingham friends of his encour-
aged resistance to the draft, in order that
he might be slaughtered in the field, or
driven home in disgrace This was Mr.
Atherton's friendship for the soldier when
the soldier needed friend But now it
seems that he has been SO very soundly
converted to frindship for the soldier that
his feelings swell up in great torrents, and
we'll nigh overcome him, as he whittles his
store box and talks of it II therefore be-
comes us TO inquire the reason for this con-
version. Is he FREUD to the soldier because
as such, he is in need of friend? This can
not be for he is no longer a soldier but a
citizen, following the advocations of peace
Ia it because Mr.. Atherton has seen the
error and folly of his former course? He
has never made any such profession. What
then?
There is but one solution to the question
Mr. Atherton is now in need of friends
himself. There are not enough of his owr
type of Democrats in the Fourteenth Dis.
trio to send him to Congress, and therefore
he needs the votes of the soldiers; hence the
lugubrious professions of friendship fol-
them. This is the question at issue, and
one that behoves all soldiere to conside,
WE'LL
The article also charges the writer of the
former with dragging the dead issue of the
"bloody shirt" into this discussion This is
surly not true, for Mr.. Atherton himself
by his intense interest in the soldier drags
in that question, for what soldier can hear
such professions and not remember the bit
er hatred of these Vallandigham Demo.
Gratis 1t is surely asking much of us tc
forget the dark, bloody years of the past
while the mounds over our fallen soldiers
are yet 30 fresh.
Can we fail to recognize the empty sleeves
that we still meet? The time will soon come
when we will not have these reminders OF
Democratic rebellion before us, for death
is rapidly doing its work with these Grip.
pied heroes. They are becomeing scarce
and ere long they will all rest in theil
graves, and until they are all gone, at least
give lis the right to remember those who
have been the cause of their misfortunes
and when soldiers vote let them remember
| who were friends in need, rather than those
who. need friends. Let him remember that
death bed repentances are always unsafe.
As to the inequalities of bounties, the
Government was not to blame. What she
paid to her soldiers was always equal. But
localities who were unwilling to have drafts
either yprivate subscription or by county
or township tax, made the large bount-
les. II my county was stingy II was moi
my misfortune, vnd not the fault of the
Government, nor is it fair 80 to charge.
ZanespilJe Times.
.Bis,,