Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-05

The Vice President Elect Refutes Some
of the Slanders of the Recent Cam
paigD-OppOsition to the Draft BIZ
Admitted and Explained-He Voted
| for the War Appropriation.
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. A delegation
representing the Marion County Demo-
ocratic Soldiers and Sailors Veteran AS
sociation called on Vice President-elect
Hendricks this evening and rendered their
congratulations on the result of the re-
cent election. In response, addressing
the spokesman of the party, Mr.. Hendricks
said:
am very much gratifed that you have
been the medium OF your comrades in ex-
pressing to me the sentiments OF your own
speech and of the address of your association,
You would distrust my sincerity did | saw
that am not grateful at the honor YOU have
done me, and the congratulations from YOU
and your comrades are specially gratifying
when consider the fact that You and I shared
in the contest of last summer, the greatest
political contest ever known in our country.
With success we have come from that field of
contest sharing IN Its responsibilities and
its glories. You have referred to
one Characteristic of the contest which
/ hope never to see repeated in our country.
The personal attacks and slander that have
been INDUCED in, are unworthy of American
politics. l have not troubled myself to an
swer misrepresentation to which have been
subjected. Four times these fabrications
have been before the public of Indiana, and
four times they have given them the lie. AS
to these fabrIcatiOns, have not turned to the
right nor to the left, and will now but briefly
repeat them. During the first month of the
war found it necessary to correct one of
these misrepresentation.
HIS WAR TALK.
At that time l used the following language:
''Since the war commenced | have uniformly
hat fI,s fErr rr,F
the United States is not questioned in Indiana.
and | regard it as the duty of the citizens of
Indiana to respect and maintain that authori-
ty, and to give to the government honest and
earnest support In the prosecution of the war
until, in the providence of God, it may be
brought to an honorable conclusion and the
blessings OF peace be restored to our country,
postponlng till that time all controversies IN
relation to the causes and responsibilities of
the war. NOman will feel deeper solicltude
in the welfare and proud bearing of Indiana's
soldiery in the conflict of arms to which they
are called than myself" The sentiments
thus expressed guidedmy conduct throughout
the war. One of the political leaders of
the times has charged that 1 failed in my
duty In opposing the law for the draft. To
opposing the draft | plead guilty. | found
army volunteers encouraged by suitable
bOunties, and during the first month of my
service in the United States Senate l said:
Il desire to express the opinion that Congress
ought to encourage volunteering rather than
rely upon what of necessity must be an un-
popular measure ike a government QratJ.'
did not regard the draft as reliable support
for the army. Prior to that time 900 men
had been drafted. 6,00O entered the service
under the draft, 10000 substitutes were fur
nished and 10000 were induced to volunteer
by bOunties.
QUARTER PUT IN THE FIELD.
The draft of l25,000 resulted in $4,000 SOL
diers being put in the field. [ believed then,
and l have believed ever SINCE that vOlun-
teers, encouraged by suitable bounties, re-
lieVlng them from anXleties about prOVia iaiOn
for their homes, was the best assurance of
support to the army. The same politicians to
whom have referred speaking of myself,
said that he did not vote IN favor of any meas
ure that looked to carrying on the war.
will refer to but two acts in the Senate in
answer:
On April %, 1864, offered an amendment to
the army appropriation bill to increase the
pay of soldiers and nOn-cOmmis-
stoned officers reasonably in pro-
portion to the then deprecated condition
of the currency. l thought that the proper
tiOn was an encouragement to the army to
enlist men. My colleague, Col. Lane, voted
with me on that subject. On the same day
voted for the government Appropriation bill
for the army for the coming year. / believe
that it was the largest appropriation bill ever
passed by this government. Five hundred
and thirty million dollars | believe it was,
and 1t was that appropriation that carried
the army to the close of the war, under which
many battles were fought, under which
sherman marched to the sea and Lees sur
render was made to Grant.
Mr.. Hendricks closed by returning his
thanks for the call. The delegation, then
shook hands with the Vice President-elect
and social cOurtesies were exchanged.