Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-12-11
THE NEW GRAND ARMY


 THE NEW GRAND ARMY.
 It is to be regretted that there should be any split in the Grand Army, but the persistent determination of certain republican leaders who were high in the counsels of the organization to subor- dinate it to political aims has forced a breach. Self-respecting democrats have been repeatedly made to feel that frater- nity and friendship were secondary to politics, and that none but republicans should be put on guard. Especially has this been the case in national encamp- ments where democratic veterans like General Slocum have been forced to stand aside on account of their political affiliations. It is hardly to be wondered at that the continued contemptible action of the Forakers and Fairchilds should have compelled democratic veterans eventually to cut loose and start rival organization.
 From Indianapolis comes news that | constitution has been adopted for the new organization, which is to be com posed exclusively of democratic ex-sol- diers, the keynote of which is ito foster | and maintain democratic principles in | the administration of the affairs of the government, both state and national; 1 to make constant and unceasing war on corruption to work for purity, sim plicity and efficiency in all the depart ments of government to use our infiu- l ence and to oppose with all our might the encroachments of political and mon- eyed monopolies upon the liberties and freedom of the people," This, it will be noticed, is pretty good democratic doc Urine, and expresses pretty completely the principles and purpose of the party. ] And yet for all that it is to be regretted, for many reasons, that there should be any extended revolt in the Grand Army. It certainly was not supposed, when that organization was founded, that it would be made political machine, and if some l of the rabid partisans at its head who have brought it into politics could be | disciplined perhaps the main intent of 1 the organization might be preserved. It | is sad and humiliating to think that men l who stood shoulder to shoulder in the jaws of death, who shared the burdens | and the bitterness of grim-visaged war should learn to distrust and hate each | other in the quietude of peace simply to appease the arrogant partisanship of unprincipled. partisans. The Forakers and Fairchilds who have sown the seeds of disruption have little to be proud of as they contemplate the revolt in the ranks of these men who of all men should be bound together in the l indissoluble bonds of fraternity. If the Indiana revolt should spread throughout the country, as General Koontz and other leading democratic veterans maintain it will, if it should gather to itself all or nearly all the vet erans of democratic affiliation, it would at least give the lie to the industriously fostered calumny that the republicans saved the Union. It would show that there were few democrats at least who bore arms in the struggle to put down rebellion and make all men free. But those who have at heart the best interests of the men who stood in the gap will hope that the breach in the ranks of the Grand Army may be healed before it assumes such great proportions.
 One Grand Army, which shall be true to it's purpose and entirely separated from political influences, is more pleas f ing spectacle to American citizens thar two organizations of the kind built or
 lines of political aftiliation. If we must 2 have two, then let the men who have i prostituted the present one to politics bt , held responsible.
 :. Florida oranges and lemons and nal