Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-09-19
A Prominent Member of the Grand
Army Resigns the Presidency ofa
Cleveland and Hendricks Club.


(Roohcstor Democrs, and Cnronlclo.)
Grand Army men are very much inter
ested In the following letter written by
Captain Frederick Whitaker, Of Port Ches-
ter, westchester county, coming out for
Blaine. The Captain was life long Dem
ocrat, and was president Of Cleveland and
Hendricks Club. He was commanding
officer Of one Of the best cavalry companies
that went from the State OF New York to
aid in the preservation Of the Union. His
comm and was Company A., Fifth New
York Volunteers. John II. Fellows, Dem
ocralic assistant district attorney, OF New
York, and a Colonel In the Rebel army,
was the "Chief Agent" referred TO IN his
letter and who was present at the meeting
and addressed II. The text Of his letter,
which 10 addressed to the Westchesler
Record, 10 az follows:
Editor Wesichcstcr County Record
SIR when nm honest man hnds him
| self deceived in his most cherished con-
victions, and compelled to change them in
his heart, he has but one course to pursue,
| II his actions affect others, however slightly.
| He must acknowledge his error publicly,
and take the consequences.
| have been n Democrat since / entered
the field of active politics. helped to or.
ganize the first Cleveland and Hendricks
| club in this town, and was invited to make
the opening speech of the campaign at the
ratification meeting held in this village on
the 28th OF July last.
The scene / witnessed at that meeting
hns made such an indelible impression on
my mind that I am compelled, after
pause for full and careful reflection TO
make the public declaration that, From
henceforth / leave the Democratic party,
as at present constituted, forever"
My reasons Tor this determination are
these:
/. At the frat meeting held in this town
in ,he interest of Mr.. Cleveland, Democrats
of this place publicly hissed, without rebmke
from the char or any one else, the sacred
name Of Abraham Lincoln, and united to
drive from the platform, with every mark
Of insult and contempt, n Union soldier
speaking Of the civil war, in order to dc
honor To n gentleman whose efforts were
directed, during that war, to the destruc-
ton of that Union.
IL, The chief agent in the nomination o
Mr.. Cleveland, Mt Chicago, now the chic
speaker in his canvass In this state, is q
prominent rebel agent, and every thiat
lends TO show that, In the event OF MIR
Clevelnnd's election, he will be surrounded
by rebel advisers and rebel influences.
Ill. One of the leading spirits in the or
gauization OF the "Independent Republican
club" IN this town is a rebel officer.
Nv. The chairman OF the Democratic
town committee, in this town, has publicl.
declared, without contradiction from Dem
ocrats, that "the Grand Army must take
a back seat, now the war is over.
In view Of these facts, and others thn
q will be made known II occasion arises, th
4: choice in the campaign appears to lie he
tween James u. Blainc-a Union man witt
all his fanlts-and a renewal of the spirit q
3 Jefferson Davis. who,with all his undonbt
Q ed personal honesty, is to-day AN nnrepent
ant rebel, who sought to destroy hi
country once, and would like 10 repeat til
attempt If he dared.
| For the personal discourtesy shown I
myself, on the occasion above referred tt
| cherish no resentment whatever. hav
: not met Democrat since that night VIII
IL has not expressed his sorrow and anger &
IA the outrage perpetrated at that meeting
:, as far as he was personally concerned.
Butt have not met one who was will
d ing to Join an attempt TO denaunce it pun
It licly in an official manuer. One and a
=, have asked that the matter be let drop VI
avoid bad feeling in the party" aud a
have been unable TO deny the fact tlla
e during the present campaign, Union sol
diers, known to be such, will be considere
:, as in the Democratic party nj the suf1e
u ance of the old rebel and cupperlIead elt