West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-08-22
A SOLDIER LETTER.

Farce Is eoded, and the result easily sumed
up. The Ring ticket nominated. The
soldier candidates slaughtered. and the
Republican party In Preston county bro
ken into thousand pieces Meeting the
veterans of hundred battles coming from
this political battle field, we inquire.
"whence those wounds In thine hands 2
they answer: They arc wounds received
10 the house of our friends."
-Four months ago the independent sol
der movement was frs, spoken OF. We
opposed IL al that time for the purpose of
giving the Republican party another
opportunity TO do justice t. the men who
made the party what Il was, on August
7th, 1884. in this county.
The result Is before the world. OF the
eight soldiers who were before the Con-
yention as candidates, only two received
nominations, aud 1t was not generally
known that they were soldiers, or perhaps
they would have been left. All the paying
offices were filed by political dudes who
were never heard OF in q camp iign excep,
when they were candidates for reelection.
Not only this but insult was added TO
injury by such rem axis 40 "BriDg on an
Other wounded soldier, Bring ON one with
both arms Off" The latter came from a
onc-horse professional who plead the
Baby Act when called upon TO volunteer
by the recruiting officer, and who Aaid
short time since that" "a man WIN had no
more sencs then TO place himself up as "A
tsrg:t for whole II bel army To shoot at
had not sense enough TO fill al ofi ,e' -
Such expressions as the above coming
from set of men whose patriotism In
never visible except on an occasion slmiL.r
to Fridays circus. is An insult to every
soldier and patriot IN the land.
We will not bear with 1t longer. We
will act independently, and as men. Let
Crane plead poverty in vain. Let Martin
harness his blcYcl; to the pillow. and if
1t won't work, let him exchange it for a
gentle horse aud earn his bread by the
sweat of his brow, as we saved his home
and Country by shedding our blood.
Had II not been for the soldiers they
would have had no home. no country, and
no Offices TO fill. Preston county would
have been on the bnTirr of Southern
Confed,r cy In possession of a standing
army, and where would orr dudes, both
old and young, have fount res Jog pl.c
They We're brave enough when danger
was afsr off. but as the sound of
muskeIry drew near, some hid their
precloDs bodies behind imaginary disabi.i-
ties, aud others plead the b by Act, and
when their country called they answered
not. But when the war ended and the
few sf US who were left Came nome how
they hOnnred us; how kindly they Der
United Us to vote for them when election
times Came around1 Way. we remem-
beI that in.1860 when we nominated MIR.
Crane for Circuit Clerk, ard the d m =
crate did not nominate candid ,te sg4iust
him but endorsed his nomination, it in
suited him. and in letter published 10
the Preston q unity Journal, lie plainly
told the Democratic party that he did not
thank them for their cnq rsem mt; tina, he
had Republic an votes enough t. elect
him, you see at once that he did not want
the honUrs divided bee use there were
Soldiers enGugh TO elect him.
But how IL 1t t"-dAy T~eoty wears
have pissed and very manV Uf our CON,
races have gune TO answer the finrl r. II
call. Or numbers are few aud our heads
are growing gray. There Is no farther
need Of our services. and IL we ask for a
position where we can earn livelihood.
we are It'd Ia stand b ok they can hon
OF US only by giving rs on.pnying offi ?es.
or by sending us ~ delegates to State
Convent. us where the tKpenas ARE more
then they size TO take from their rich
sal RVS
They have no Y grown rich enough 10
pack Conventions In their favor aud do
not care for honest votes.
81 comrades, We will not annoy fins
Ring party with cur suffrags, but 1t IA
meet ON the TuDneltOn Camp Ground ON
Tburedey. Sept. 49, aud hold Reunion
and map "ut a course Of action. for the
future. We nerd no Bosses. We will not
support Rings, sDd their IL no room for us
10 the so-called republican party Of Pres
ton county. We need reform IN loo, pol
itics' and We must not lonk To Rings and
professional politicians for reform. but
must act promptly aud sct a. men.
Let US hear from you, comrades. Ifue
time aboye named does not suit you. fix
an earlier date, hut let as hear from son
through the columns Of the Wpsr Va