The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-06-26
THE SOLDIERS q PARTY.

We are not of those who believe that
because the Democratic party las run
away from its leaders, and upon the
demagoguish ground of eNpcdicncy has
nominated a military man rs its candi-
date for the Presidency, that therefore
the intelligent voters Of the country will
lose their wits and make Gen. Hancock
the figure head of a national administra
ton, to furnish the motive force of which
he possesses neither the civic ability nor
experience. With its usual fatality, the
Democratic party has again Numbered,
and that at vital moment i'll its history.
At time when serious questions of civil
and governmental policy that concern so
intimately the material and commercial
interests of the nation, require the ablest
craftsmanship, the despairing Bourhons
attempt to revive the prestige of mill
tary record. Did this same plea of dis
tinguished military service avail General
Grant aught at Chicago? The splendor
of individual military service is a reced-
ing glory. If it availed not for General
Grant, it can scarcely avail for his sub
ordinate in rank and achievement.
Not that the nation will ever forget the
debt OF gratitude it owes its heroes, but
it has lost its freshness as political in
spiration. The "military'' claim is
made too late to inspire popular enthusi-
asm for soldier in ''blue," particularly
when o'ershadowed by the dominating
gray" If it availed not for General
Grant, it can scarcely avail for his sub
ordinate in rank, genius and achieve
ment-General Hancock. The Demo-
cratic party, then, in the motive that in
spired General Hancock's nomination,
has again mistaken the temper of the
country. The military prefix, however
honorably acquired, will not strengthen
of the measure of personal popularity
that his character as q man has achieved
for him. The idea is admirably conveyed
in the language of Il prominent Demo-
GRAFT at ClnClnnaJ1.
"Wcll, I've been a Democrat ever since
was a voter. and have never known
the party to fail to commit some Internal
diocy at critical points in it's history. 1t
has done one sensible thing in it's career
when it nominated Tilden, and it is my
opinion that there never has been a time
when it might not have succeeded by
doing something equally sensible; but it
would be just like the Democratic party
to nominate General Hancock, just when
the soldier is played out, when the coun-
| try has grown sick of military Presidents
rs such and when the whole thing has
been spewed out Of its stomach; and
for the Democratic party to come up
fifteen years behind time and try to set
up in business as soldiers party"
When, therefore. the Democratic party
! ignoring its recognized leaders, sets up
| the claim that it is IL soldiers CD party,
it will be ANONYMOUSLY defeated, simply
for the reason that the claim is dishonest.
The Democratic party is not in any sense
Il soldiers party. Not at least the Union
soldiers. The base record of its history
| towards the "boys in blue is too fresh
i'll the mind of every man who bore a
musket in defence of his government to
be deceived by any such shallow pre-
tence. The head of this political monde
script may be that of an honored Union
general, but behind him trails the Shiny
/ coils of the secession serpent.