Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-06-13
A Democratic Veteran Soldier and
Office-HOlder RenOunces His


Party
The Madison (Wis.) State journal pub
fishes a very vigorous and remarkable letter
from a well.known veteran soldier of that
city. who has been lifelong democrat and
who holds well-psid position in the veteran
messenger corps of the House of Representa-
tives. OF the writer the State Journal says I:
Capt. Lewis is well liked by the democratic
party leaders in Wisconsin aud might have
his pick of many excellent offics. but his
principles ms n Union man have been so sad
ly shocked by democratic administration, that
he has Indignantly spurned all offers of ad-
vancement and come out under the banner of
true progress and reform. IL is a brave and
manly letter and well deserves the wide Pc
rusal which II will command.
We make the following extracts from this
letter.
The conduct and enuucistions of the demo-
cratic party have not always met nv approx
al. and have openly so declared, as occa
sion arose. Sometimes l had misgivings
concerning the sincerity of those who
assumed to be its oracles and high priests /;
and my faith in the ability of those whom
the world believed to be patriotic to cope
with those who cared nothing for principle or
country, was not always firm. Sometimes,
too, in spite of campaign enthusiasm aud the
rigor Of party ties, found myself debating
whether the democratic party, with so much
In 1t that l, a democrat, could not endorse,
was the one to be fully entrusted with the
control and guidance of the destinies of a
nation as mighty as ours. Although Hope
had these contentious with Doubt, vet the
name of democrat sounded sweet in my ears
and struggled on for success, really believ-
ing that after all victory would bring to the
front the Ablest and truest generals, the
wisest and most conscientious statesmen OF
our party--in whose hands public affairs
would be safe, the country prosperous, the
people contented and happy.
Last fall, that long-looked-for and long
fought-for victory came. The democracy,
chastened by many disasters, was placed at
the head of public affairs; the real trial of
its virtues and craftsmanship which had ex-
pected would wipe out all my doubts. had at
last come. Three months Of that trial are
now before us. and what miserable record
IL is! AZ "new broom always sweeps
clean" 90 the opening months of Cleveland
} administration must be accepted as more
cautious and conservative than any that will
follow.
Yet what do we seer Instead of broad,
progressive statesmanship instead Of an hon.
est, healthy reform of the civil service; in
stead Of guidance by men Of ripe attachments
aud fall experience; instead Of clean.cut
heightened administrative policy, We have .
long series Of false pre,ences, demoagoguery,
personality, and blunders.
We see appointed to high Offices drunkards.
social il not criminal outcasts and participate
ors in election hutcheries and frauds; enemies
Of fair and free elections: enemies of our be-
neficent public school system; former aud
present enemies Of the Uuion-men un-
cieansed of treason. unrepentent, unrecon-
structed and with their disabilities yet upon
them. Can soldiers who LEFT limbs on the
battlefield stand these thingsp If there be
any such, am not Of them. / want no more
democracy upon my plate. fought hard to
get the present administration in, and shall
fight still harder to get them out. They are