The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-01-24
A Comrades Tribute to John F
Redmond.
To tho Editor nf Tho Too1or.

10 the Editor OF Inc Leader:
The Leader being the acknowledged or.
gan of the colored voters of this city, and a
reliable republican newspaper AS well,
IN its sprightly and newsy columns l ask a
small porpotion OF space for the purpose of
referring briefly to the merits of Mr.. John
F. Redmond's candidacy for republican
nomination for trustee of Center township.
Insincere and unkind persons may see fit
to attempt to injure Mr.. Redmond in the
estimation of colored voters-par ticularly
in the l4th ward, because of some differ.
ence of opinion he MAJ have had with
others in reference to political matters re.
lative 10 candidates and primary conven
tons. l know the more Mr. Redmond's
record as Union soldier and a republican
are examined the more every intelligent
and candid colored man will find him to
have been true and useful friend of their
race. ACTS speak louder than Words is
an old and true aphorism. Any smooth
tongued self seeker can say fine things to
tickle the ears of those whose political
support he desires. Now for few fac S
will not be denied, ] presume, that the
lib -ration of the colored man from slavery
was a great thing to his race, or that the
buICCSotul pObCCuttOh vi tliC VA iOT Tile
Union was the thing that secured freedom
TO them and their children, and their chill
dren's children down to the end of time.
The colored man owes his freedom to The
man who went down 10 shoot and be shot
at. These propositions are too simple to
need any ar ument Mr.. Redmond bore
an honorable part in the war. He was out
in the 18th Indiana regiment in the spring
of 1861, and when his term OF three years
was nearly out he re enlisted as veteran
for the remainder of the war. He served
in all for continuous period of more than
four years, and he faced the music like a
man, and smelt great deal OF burning
powder. He enlisted as high private"
and participated in more than 20 historic
battles and seiges. From private he was
promoted to the honorable and responsible
position of ensign of his regiment, and car
ried the American flag through the States
of Virginia North and South Carolina Geor-
gia, Florida and other parts of the Con-
federacy. He escaped Unframed during
the whole of his service until the 10Th
day of September 1864, when al the battle
of Chapin's farm, while charging upon
Font Gilmore, he fell a victim to rebel
bullet which he carries in his body to this
day, and the removal of which, according
to the opinion OF the most distinguis he'd
surgeons in the United States, would prove
instantly fatal, pressing as it does upon the
pinal cord. He is cripple for life, but
has still the same courageous head and
heart aud does not surrender to his disa-
bility. His record as republican since
the war is as unimpeachabl As his fdeli-
ty to his country during the war. A man
who can present such record both as a
soldier and republican is deserving of
the support of his fe low-citizens regardless
of color. We know the colored voter as
well as the white voter, can distinguish
between service that means something and
lip service. Ii Mr.. Redmond should Sc
cure the nomination, know he will run
shesd of his ticket, and being both quail
fed and familiar with the affairs Of the
Office, will make as good an officer as
Center township ever had.
e1s AN OLD SOLDIER.
And . voter of the Sth ward, ,st.s