The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-08-24
From the N. Y. World, 17th inst.
Gen. Hancock and the GAR.

TWO.Thirds of the Republican Mem.
bers Of Dahlgren Post Declare
Their Intention of Voting
For Him.
The Military Element Opposed to
Soldiers of the Garfield Stripe,
Who Fought Only for the
SpOils of Office.
Dah1gren Post. No 1l3, G. A. e., had
its annual campfire and picnic yesterday
at Bender's Schue,zan Park, SiS:y-third
street and First avenue. The grounds
were decorated with Chinese lanterns
and flags hearing the different corps
badges. Almost all the members Of the
post were present, hesides many repre-
sentatives from other posts. A shoot
ing gallery was opened where The men
shot for priz.s and in the evening the
large hall was used for dancing. Most
of the members OF the post merely wore
their corps badges and badges of dis
tinction. A few, however, appeared in
uniform. The ex-soldiers and their
families evidently enjoyed themselves,
for they did not leave the park until the
early hours of the morning
Politics and religion are said to he
forbidden topics of discussion in the
Grand Army. The memhe-s are Sup
posed TO think for themselves and act
as they please in such matters, Yet, fs
member Of Dalhgren Post said yes
terdav, "there has been good deal OF
politcsl discussion among the soldiers
since Hancock was nominated" The
commander of Dahlgren Post, Joseph
Hadfeld, is a Republican. Yesterday
when asked how he would vote in the
coming election he said be had always
voted the Republican ticket and intended
to vote for Garfield because he was a
Republican When asked why be
would not rather vote for so distinguish
ed soldier as Hancock Mr.. Had6eld
became quite angry without any appar-
ent reason. "There are plenty Of Han.
cock men in this post" he said when he
became calm again; "almost all the in
dependent soldiers will vote for Han.
cock. We have $40 members in our
post, and the majority Of them are Re-
publicans. Yet Hancock will get fully
200 votes from the post because he is q
great soldier. OF course, | vote a;
please, and | do not attemot TO il duence
the votes Of my friends wish to say
in defense of the Grand Army of the
Republic that il is not a partisan orea
nizatlon. Hancock will receive a heavy
vote among the soldiers throughout the
country. Why, here is a strong Han
cock man." Mr. Hadteld confined ,poin.
ting to Captain Nicholas Duffy, one oil
the most prominent men in the Dahlgren
Post
EYES," answered Captain Duffy, 81
am Hancock man."
"Whv?" asked the reporter.
"Because he is great soldier. Why
should soldiers vote for Garfield? He
never did anything. He stayed away
from the war while Hancock was fight
ing and he got elected to Congress
Hancock rsked his life and he was nearly
shot to death"
"Are you a Republican, Captain
Duffy ?" 6
"Certainly I am. l have invariably
voted the Republican ticket"
As Captain Duffy finished speaking 8
gentleman approached who vas intro.
dnced as ex-Commander William Mac.
Intie. He was Commander of Dahlgren
Post for many years and was always
known a, stanch Republican. IL will
certainly vote for Hancock" said Mr.
MacIntie. II cannot consistently vote
for Garfield. AS strong Republican
as | am, I must confess that / canno
vote against Hancock All my comrade;
are rallying around him. The news o
the nomination of Hancock stunned th,
soldiers. No one thought that the Dem
ocrats would have the good sense tt
nominate him The nomination OF Han
cock following so closely on the defea
Of Grant at Chicago acted like an elec
trio shock on the military element"
"How manv members Of Dahlgrel
Post voted for General Grant for Presi
dent p
"Grant commanded every vote IN ou
post, with half dozen exceptions. AL
together we have not more than tel
Democratic members"
Dennis Sullivan, another prominen
Republican member of the post, joine'
: the group around the reporter. "Why,
ne said, II fought in the Sixty.th'rd un
der Hancock for four years. will vot
for him and work for him. Never be
r fore was the Grand Army so divided
1t is not a partisan organization. for W
| are not allowed to discuss politics. Blu
how can any honest Union soldier refus
to vote for Hancock ?"
. "Then you are not afraid of the dc
g mination of the South in the affairs {
Il State ?"
: "With Hancock as President, section
: alism would be effaced and the Sout
would rally around the Union flag n
= piled Sullivan. II, for one, am tired c
: the bitter animosity against the South,
;, he continued. II fought the rebels
the hest of my strength and have uphel
|, the Republican organization ever sine
d I voted for Lincoln and for Grant and
e will vote for Hancock
n Elk Officer of the Day E. j, Buckle
said that he, too, was a Hancock MAJ
"Are you Democrat9" he ws
y asked.
# "No, sir, / am not Democrat, |
n replied. 81 am supporter Of Gener
+, Hancock. l will work for him to Il
best OF my ability and have no doul
!" of his election. None o: the soldie
l. like Garfield. When Hancock. W,
te fighting for the North he was ightir
,r for spoils."
"How will the soldiers vote gene
allyP"
"The majority Of the soldier vo
next fall will go to General Hancoc
n A large majority of the members of o.
! post have said privately that they inte
;, ded to vote for him."
~ u Colonel W. Brady said he would vo
- - for Hancock although he was Repu
L. - al