The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-07
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
Proof Positive that the Democrats Intend to
Pension Rebel Soldiers.

Proof Positive that the Democrats Intend to
Pension Rebel Soldiers.
Extract from speech of Charles L. Holstein.
If evidence and logic have not lost their force,
the intention of the Democratic party, If sue
cessful, to pension rebel soldiers is manifest.
1t is the policy and purpose of that party to put
rebel soldiers and their widows and orphans on
the pension list. The Democracy intends to add
3OO 600 rebel soldiers to the pension rolls. 1t in
tends to put the boys in gray in respect to
bounties, pensions and land warrants, upon per-
feet equality with the boys in blue. 1t means
to compel the Union soldier to divide with the
rebel soldier. This is no idle assertion, made
only for campaign purposes. l make it only
after the most careful Investigations and with
absolute faith in its truth. Are you ready for
the question: Ii is an issue in this canvass
You will vote upon it this fall vote for the
Democratic party is vote in favor of pension
ing rebel soldiers Do you want the proofsl
The proofs are so strong and abundant that any
one will be convinced whose mind is open to
conviction Let us reason together. Our enemy
the public enemy, has written a bo0ll-a book
of platforms. Facts are stubborn things. and
there is nothing like documentary evidence.
First, let us read the Democratic national plat
form. Here it is;
The system of direct taxation, known as the "iu-
continues the money derived therefrom should be
sacredy devoted to the relief of the people from the
remaining burdens of the war, and be made fund to
deay the expenses of and comfort of worthy
soldiers disabled in the line of duty in the of the
Republic, and for the payment of such pensions as
Congress may, from time to time, grant to such sol
diers-a like fund for the sailors having already been
provided-and any surplus should be paid into the
Treasury.
Mark the phraseology we'll. It is carefully
drawn, and most cautiously worded You will
that made Of
Union soldier the Union army, or the war of the
rebellion. Upon these subjects it is silent as
the Sphinx. All reference to them is studiously
avoided. Whyl 1t requires no little art and
skill to write such resolution, cleverlv omitting
such references Why, Republican couldn't
do it to save his life. A Republican wouldn't
know how to ignore the gallant and loyal soldiery
of that grand army that put down the most gi-
gantic and wicked rebellion of history, ancient
or modern If the Democratic platform doesn't
mean what say, what does it meant Why was
the matter left open to doubt and interpretation
1t would have been an easy matter to mention
the Union soldier Just once, wouldn't it, That
resolution was written with purpose afore-
thought and the real meaning is hidden between
the lines
Do you want more proof Let us read in this
connection, the Indiana Democratic State plat
form:
7. The Democratic party is the faithful friend of
the soldiers, their widows and orphans. We are in
favor of the granting of pensions to all soldiers su
army of granting pensions to the soldiers of the
Mexican of equalizng bounties and pensions to
soldiers and pensioners without limitation as to time
and of providing for the widows of all soldiers.
The national and SJate platforms are alike as
two peas in the same pod. They are made upon
the same model. One is a plagiarism of the
other The State platform also wholly fails to
mention the Union soldier, the Union
army or the war of the rebellion. These
omissions are significant The State plat
form refers to the Mexican war, but the late
war seems to be forbidden subject to the De
mocracy Do you want more proofl l find, upon
examination, that the Ohio and Illinois Demo
cratic platforms are built exactly upon the same
plan. Neither OF them refers TO the late war or
the boys who fought it to a successful issue.
All of these Democratic platforms, national
and State, are significantly and precisely alike
in stuiiously avoiding any mention of or refer
ence to the Union soldier or the war for the
Union. None of them makes any discrimina-
ton between Union soldiers and rebel soldiers
The language of all of them is broad and gen
eral enough to include the boys in gray. There