Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-05
DEFENDS HIS PAST
From The Attacks Of the Vile
Accusers
WHO WOULD DISGRACE HIM.
Governor Hendricks Addresses an enthusi.
astic Crowd of Old Soldiers Who
Visit Him.
WHY He OPPOSED THE DRAFT.

4 INDIANAPOLIS, December A delega-
ton representing the Marion county Demo
cratic Soldiers and Sailors Veteran Asso-
citation called on Vice Presidentelect Hen
bricks this evening and rendered their con.
gratulat;ons on the result of the recent cleo
ton. In response to an address of the
spokesman of the party, Mr.. Hendricks said:
Tam very much gratfed ttat you have
been made the medium, by your comrades,
for expressing to me the address of your as
sociation. You would distrust my sincerity
did l say am not grateful at the honor you
have done me aud the congratulations
from you and your COM
rades are specially gratifying when
l consider the fact that you and | shared
in the contest Of last summer the greatest
political contest our country has ever
known. With success we have come from
that field of contest, sharing in all its re-
sponsibilities and its glories. You have
referred to one characteristic of the
contest, which / hope to never see
reI Gated in our country. The
personal attacks and ISLANDERS that have
been indulged in are unworthy American
politics. l have not troubled myself to an
swer the Misrepresentation to which | have
been subjected Four times these fabrica.
tons have been before the people Of
Indiana, and four times they
have given them the lie. As to
these labrications have not returned to the
right nor to the left and will now but briefly
refer 10 them. During the first month Of
the war found it necessary to correct one
OF these misrepresentation at the time, and
Il used the following language;
Since the war commenced
have uniformly said that the
authority of the Government Of the United
States is not questioned in Indiana, and
regard it as the duty of the citizens Of In
diana 10 respect and maintain that authori
", and to give to the Government honest
and earnest support in the prosecution o.
the war until, in tue providence of God, il
may be brought to an honorable conclusion
and the blessings of peace be restored 10 oul
country, postponing until that time all con
troversies in relation to the causes anC
responsibilities of war. No nan will feel 8
deeper solicitude In the welfare and proud
bearing of the Indiana soldiery in the con
| fict of arms 10 which they are called thar
myself" The sentiments thus expressed
guided my conduct throughout the war
One of the political leaders of the times
has charged that failed in my duty in op
posing tbe law for the draft, 10 opposition
to the draft
IPlead Guilty.
find that army volunteers are encouraged
bv suitable bounties and duringHthe frs
month of my service in the United State!
Senate | said: II desire to express tht
opinion that Congress ought to encourage
volunteering rather than rely 'upor
what of necessity must be an unpopular
measure of the gOvernment-the draft.
did not regard the draft as reliable
support for the army. Prior to that time
l25,OOO men had been drafted &c, 900 entered
service under the draft 10000 substitutes
we're furnished and 10000 we're induced tc
volunteer on bounties which combinations
enabled the departmest topay. A draft o.
l2j. 600 resulted in $4,000 soldiers in the
field | believed them, and have believed
ever since, that volunteers encouraged by
suitable bounties relieving them from anxi
cites about provisions for their home were
the best assurance of support to the army
Mr.. Hendricks closed by returning his
thanks for the call The delegation ther
shook hands with the Vice President elec
and social courtesies were exchanged.