The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-11-03
General silas M. Bailey.

J.. N. Craft, Cashier Of the Ex-
change Bank, franklin, Pa, con-
tributes the following letter to the
Vcnango Cftizcn with reference to
Gen. Silas NJ. Bsily, Republican can
didate for State Treasurer. 1t Is All
eloquent tribute of an intimate friend,
aud Is worthy of repetition:
Twenty years ago saw him start
fron Waynesburg, Green county,
with the first company organized in
that county for the war. He was then
in the vigor and strength of early
manhood, full of zeal and enthusiasm
for the Union cause. An election for
officers of the company had been held
and although there were older men in
the company than Silas NJ. Baily and
some who were trained to arms, yet so
great was their con n6dence In his in
telligence, discretion and bravery, that
he was chosen as captain, and amidst
the prayers and tears of this dear ones
left behind he started with his cons-
mand for camp. On the organization
of the Pennsylvania Reserve Carps he
was placed in the Eighth Rcgt. and
his history is closely linked with that
gallant command all through the war.
From the time the army of the Poto-
mac under Gen. Mcclellan, left the
vicinity Of Washington, until the ex-
piration of his term of service-on the
Peninsula of Virginia, at Anti etam,
fredericksburg, charlottesville, Get
tysburg, and the series of battles from
that of the Wilderness to Petersburg
General Baily performed his duty
most gallantly and won by hard and
efficient service promotion to the rank
of Colonel, and after the troops were
mustered out was brevetted Brigadier
General by President johnson. He
returned to his home, again resumed
his place in business and is respected
by all who know him, regardless OF
party lines.
General Baily is a batchelor, and
this brings up in memory a sweet face
which grew sadder and thinner
through the long weary years of the
war, and form that became more
fragile, as time passed, until it was at
last laid to rest on the hill side, and
the Celeste OF earth was trans.
planted to the celestial home in the
skies; and tbis, perhaps explains why
General Baily never married.
A great many newspapers have seeI
fit to find fault with General Baily fol
being one of the 1906" at Chicago, but
| when We take into consideration thai
he was elected "a delegate, on that very
issue, ard over man of great ability
Hon. John II. Ewing who was u pro
nounced Blaine man, we see at once
that he could not have acted other
wise than he did. He followed Gran
nj Chicago as he followed him from
the Wilderness to Petersburg, and he
was as true TO his country and his con
science In the one case as the other.
The objection is urged against Gen
eral Bai!y that lie is the crndidate o! {
"Ring," but this one thing / believ
to be most emphatically true, that he
cannot be used by any man or ring
He is thoroughly honest and straight
70, ward, aud does his own thinking
He has brains enough to know hi
duty and, rest assured, nothing vii
prevent him doing it. While he j
modest and unassuming he IS as firm
as rock and brave as q lion. Hi
whole life will bear the closest scru
tiny, and in view of his fitness an
great service to the country he is ell
titled to the vote of every man VIII
calls himself Republican.
He will be triumphantly elected.
trust, and in his election the part
! will honor itself, for no officer eve
brought to the discharge of the dutie
, of his office, any more purity an
ability than will Gen. Silas NJ. Baily