The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-08
LOOK ON THIS PICTURE, THEN ON THIS

4
LOOK ON THIS PICTURE, THEN ON THIS.
The relation of the Republican and Demo
cratic parties to the Union soldiers is plainly
seen in a comparison of their State platforms,
The Republican platform, in the most direct and
emphatic way, recognizes, with gratitude, the
services of the Union soldier, fayors the equal
ization of pensions and bounties and a liberal
construction and application Of all pension
laws. 1t recognizes the fact that it was the
Union soldier who defended the government
against armed rebellion. 1t fayors an APP
preparation by the State for the erection of a
monument to the memory of the loyal and
brave sons Of Indiana who gave their lives to
save the republic. The Republican party is
no new, cently-found friend of the Union
soldier. 1t has Away been his friend alike in
war and in peace, in sunshine and in storm
1t has never faltered in its love. It has stood
with him in success and through defeat
1t has stood by him in all times past stands
with him to-day, and will be found standing
by him at all times in the future. 1t cannot
do otherwise. Its love is inborn, natural
pure and unselfsh. It is a matter of course.
1t is above suspicion or doubt. 1t follows
that the ring of the Republican platform,
upon this subject-matter, is true and resonant.
1t gives forth no uncertain sound. Its tones
are full, rich and sweet.
Ill., 40 ,1o
on the contrary, most lame and impotent 1t
is so weak and piping that it at once provokes
comparison. The careful reader will fail to
find any reference, expressly and in terms, to
the Union soldier or the Union army. He
will not find any words of praise for the Union
soldier, nor any recognition of his bravery and
loyalty. He viii not find the word rebellion"
in the whole of that lengthy Democratic plat
form, however long and faithfully he may
search He will find, however, that the Indi-
ana Democracy has been most careful not to
offend the representative feelings of the solid
South by any reference to the late war. No
reference is made to any war other than. the
Mexican war, Choice words have been picked
out lest ofense might be given to somebody.
All illusions that in any way might call to
mind the late war of the rebellion have been
most assiduously omitted. So carefully and
cautiously has this work been done that the
reader may well indulge in doubt as to what
soldiers or as to what army reference is made
It is remembered that Gov. Thomas A. Hem
bricks (yet possible Democratic presidential
candidate)in his prepared address, at the lay
house, with Indiana as his subject, studi-
ously omitted all reference to the war and the
glorious part Indiana soldiers took in it. This
address, we believe, was delivered in a presi-
Dental year, and prior to the nominations for
President. Can it be that the Indiana De-
mocracy, having at this time candidate to
present to the Chicago convention the next
week, hesitated and failed to speak in fit and
glowing terms of the Union soldiers, fearing
to offend the Southern brethren and the ma
jority they control9 Has it come to thisG
| Must the Indiana Democracy bow down in hui
mility before the solid South, and speak with
bated breath and in frightened whispers of.
Union soldiers and the war for the UnionY
| It would seem so. The Democratic State
platform reads 50. No doubt this explains its
most significant omission to favor State APP
preparation for soldiers monument The
Indiana Democracy does not favor the build
ing of soldiers monument. These things
cannot escape public attention. The people
are able to read between the lines. The cry
of shame, shame, shame viii go up against
the cowardlY and disloyal action of the Indi-
ana Democracy, in this matter, from every
living soldier, and from the widows and or
phans of dead soldiers, and from their friends.
Whatever the Democracy may say or do, or
omit to say or do, Indiana is proud Of her
soldiers, and is itself greater Tor their glory
and their patriotism. And, oppose it who
may, they shall have monument sky
crowned and beautiful, on which shall be
written, in frightening letters this
truth: Indiana's chiefest glory is the fame
her soldiers made and left to the State.