Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-06
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUB-
 LIC.


 LIC.
 WE are to have guests-honored guests in our city this week. A contingent of the Grand Army of the Republic will be here for social intercourse-in renewal of the associations of the battle scenes to fight their fights over again land show how fields were won;" and what if there should be mixed up with the reunion of the vet erans some political projects and purposes: who shall say that men who so boldly took sides as soldiers are not at liberty to take sides in the civil warfare of the ballot box We claim this privilege for the Democratic soldiers of the war; why should we deny it to their Republican brothers; we profess honesty of connection in res pect of the party to be most safely entrust- ed with the government of the Country; the others have an indisputable right to judge for themselves. We should of course be glad to find that men who were ranged under the one flag in the struggle for the nations life were still under the one guld- ance in respect of the preservation of the nations prosperity. This, however, can not be just yet; and the philosophy of the thing is to accept the situation and forget political feuds in memory of the soldiers brotherhood. Should a Grand Army vet eran meet casually with Democratic hero of his regiment, think you the hand shake will be less stirring or the words of greet ing less outspoken because in political af- fairs they have drifted from the old com radeship in arms. No, no. The esprit du corps of Bull Run or Gettysburg or Antie- tam will be reproduced no matter for the abomination of the bloody shirt Or the party cries at the other side which mark each succeeding election. It is said that hundreds of the Grand Army men would be with us and in our ranks to-day were 1t not for the glalnor of the name and the influence of old Commanding Officers. We care not for the truth of this save that it would indicate conversion at no remote period. Indeed, we expect to see the in telligence and bravery, the mind and the majesty of the whole country concentred in the one great party of political pride and progress-though we cannot say that that is a consummation devoutedly to be wished. The existence of political parties s the ins and the outs-the government and the opposition is nece ssary to the pur- ity of administration, just as necessary for Democrats as for Republicans
 Governor Lounsbury and his staff will be here at their fine suite of rooms at the Scovill House, and doubtless he will do the honors of Connecticut to visiting brothers from the outside. The City will do it's part in cordial and courteous welcome to the the heroes of our civil war-the men who, at the call of duty, surrendered their civic avocation and appointment; and the duty performed-save for those who died on the field of honor-went back again to every day work without parade or pretense. To be sure we had myriad of generals and colonels and majors and other officers of rank as commanders, that one wondered where the commanded came in. But it was pardonable pride paying deference to the war idea and, if it gratifed the dignitaries it did not harm the public. We believe that Governor Lounsbury's reception, so- cially and officially, will be genial and generous; and that if the political com plexion of which we have spoken should present itself, he will, as high-minded gentleman, know how to temper his zeal with courtesy. Indeed, we cannot see why in any station, military or civil, po- litical differences should promote personal disunion. The feuds should begin and end with the day of fight; that is assuming that party zeal need ever degenerate into indi- vidual animosity.
 Once more we say to the citizens of Wa terbury, do honor to yourselves by honoring the veterans who fought and bled and would have died for you as their brothers did. The contest of the ballot box in Mo- vember will be one thing; the duty of hos pitality in the present is another.