The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-10-18
A Veterans Request.

The following article from the Nc
Pherson Independent is published in this
paper at the request of an old soldier:
"There has been much said of late
that has been anything but compliment
tary to those who are called Independ-
ent Republicans, those who choose to
differ from the party and as occasion
serves. vote against the nominees of its
conventions.
That there is a manifest disposition
on the part of this element to do SO
some mOre,'' as the saying is, therefore
It may not be out of place for one OF
them to speak out and tell the reason
why he chooses to wander in by and
forbidden paths. 1t may be safely said
that but a minority of the party to-day
were present and accounted for at
the time it came into existence, and
read and heard its doctrines eXpOunded
by Greeley, Seward, Weed, Sumner and
the rest of those worthless who have
gone over to the majority.
Those were times when it meant
something to be a republican. Then to
vote for John c. FreemOntW less than
treason.
1t goes then to show that to belong to
the party under such circumstances one
must have been actuated by something
more than mere eXpediency and greed
for office. He must have had prlncl-
pies rough hewn from the rock Of eter-
nal Justice. 1t follows, of course, that
every member of the party developed a
pronounced individuality if not indie
pendence. He was a creator Of pOlltl-
cal thought and necessarily a free
lance" who fought singly orin company
as occasion deserved. Is it any wonder
then that the seed sOwn away back in
the sos should bear fruit even in
our day? Greeley, Sumner, Sc
ward, Lincoln and many more who
are dead, yet speak, and OF whom
the world was not worthy. They
founded the doctrine that the unit was
the source of political strength, and the
individual must be satisfied that the
measure proposed was right, or the can
didate was honest or capable before he
was bound to vote for the one or vote
for the other. In other words, he had
the largest liberty; nay, it was his duty
to step right out of the ranks and de-
nounce any measure of his party that
did not commend itself to his judgment.
That this was practiced in the party for
many wears is well known to those old
men vet alive; who gave the flush OF
their manhood to the party, but who
are now roughly jOStled aside by the
young ande vigorous men who were In
their cradles OF in short clothes when
these veterans, thousands Of them, on
the battle field or in prison pens, max
ing republican party possible. Is it
any wonder then, that these old soldiers,
VictorS in numberleSS contests with
bayonet and ballot, should resent such
treatment? Time and again the party
has said the soldier deserved well of his
country, but how often has it stopped
short at promise. At last the bitter
truth is manifest everywhere that the
party has no further use for the men
who created it. That this is not mere
fancy, look about and see who is an In
dependent Republican, and who is work
ing might and main, tearing down the
work of a lifetime. Do yOuremOnStrate:
He will bitterly retOrt that ian empty
house is better than bad tenant" that
when the hive becomes infested with
moths and creeping things, the sooner
the bees find another shelter the better
for all concerned, and moreover, he viii
tell you that if the republican fathers
were alive to-day, they would lend {
hand in the sorrowful, yet necessary
work.
Sacred history relates how the Baby
lonish King, with wild wassail, profaneC
the sacred vessels of the temple while {
spectre hand traced his death warrant
on the wall of his palace. 1t needs III
prophetic eye to see the same fateful flu
ture sharply outlined on the nearfuturt
of any party who will cOntemptuOusly
ignore those who, with courageous
hearts and strong arms made our cOun
try great, powerful and free.
INDEPENDENT REPUBLICAN.