The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-09-29
Tho Rebel Ambuscadc.
\ SOLDIERS LETTER To HANCOCK
THROUGH BARNCM.

I WASHINGTON. Sept. l6.-An inter
! csting correspondence has recently
taken place between an ex-Unior
soldier in this city and Chairman
Barnum of the Democratic National
Committee on the subject of th,
treatment which Union soldier
would receive in case Of Hancock S
election. 4 clerk in one Of the de-
parments who served in the Union
army wrote Barnum that he had
seen the statement III the papers. on
Senator Wallace's authority, that II
Hancock should be elected Union
soldiers would have the preference
in appointments here and elsewhere
and that such as now hold office, es-
pecially disabled veterans, would not
be removed. except for incapacity or
neglect of duty. The writer added
that if this could be assured, Han
cocks vote would undoubtedly be
increased among Union soldiers and
their friends, and asked whether
Barnum in his official capacity as
Chairman of the Democratic Com
mittec could give such assurance or
induce Hancock himself to do so. \
week later came this curtreply from
Barnum: Your letter has been re-
ceivcd and referred TO Major Gen.
Hancock. Over q fortnight having
elapsed without any furtherresponsc,
the Union soldier has continued and
ended the correspondence by a sec
ond letter to Barrum. Il have now
ceased" " he says, to expect a reply
from either yourselfor General Han
cock. because, since writing YOU, |
have ascertained certain facts that
prove the Democratic party 10 be
committed to a preference, not Tor
the Union veteran but against him,
and for the ex-rebel soldier instead
! find that since, by the solid South,
the Democrats secured control Of
Congress thev have removed about
eighty Union soldiers from Govern
lncnt positions at the Capitol and
appointed an equal number of eX-
rebel soldiers. Among Union sold
iers removed | find one that had
lost both legs, another the use of
both arms seven had lost one arm
each and seven one lee each !; others
had lost an eve, q jaw-bone, or some
other member, at least one half OF
those removed having been in some
way disabled in battle for the old
hag. There was no charge OF inet-
fcicncy or misconduct against them,
and vet they were summarily turned
into the street and like number of
ex-rebels were rewarded for their
service to the confederacy by being
appointed to places thus made va
can't. The Union wounded were
punished and those who helped TO
wound them were rewarded by the
Democratic Congress" The writer
SAYS he is not surprised at having
received no reply to his previous let
ter. III NitSN OF tllt liOt tilslL ltlC i(tlAA
ocratic party stands SO thoroughly
committed To the South, and says in
Say to Gen. Hancock,
if YOU please. Mr. Barnum, that !
and my friends find him in the
wrong army this time Every BIT
Ter reconstructed rebel is in that
army from jeff Davis down, but we
did not soldier in those ranks and
we never will while the solid South
menaces the safety OF the Republic.
If the Democratic party chooses to
homer traitors and dishonor the sa-
cred Union veterans, DO not. / am
rot willing vet to surrender the flag
md country for which | fought be-
cause rebels have been cunning
enough TO put one Of our late Gen
,rals at the head Of their column.
fhe ambuscade Is TOO thin.