Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-20
NEW CHAMPIONS.

! Why, asks the Cincinnati Commercial
| Gazette, should Senators Voorhees, and Black
/ burn put themselves forward as superfiu-
Gus defenders of the fidelity of Generals
! Mcclellan and Hancock to the National
I Union! Were these Senators faithful 10
/ the Union. Can their oficious champion
ship be a testimony TO the loyalty of any
manf Rather does it not render suspicious
that upon which Senator ingalls, cast no i'm
putatiOn!
Senator Morgan interrupted Senator II
gals observations that the Southern oppo-
sition to the pension bill was because 1.-The
South does not like the Union soldiers" to
say that 1.-The South like General Hancock
very well, and voted for him" Mr.. Ingalls,
retorted that they voted for him under COM
pulsion, meaning to fool the Northern peo-
pie by voting for Union soldier.
1--WE know why Hancock was nominated,
We know why that other ally of the Confed-
eracy, George B. Mcclellan. was nom
mated, who had just declared that the war
was failure, after he had been trying for
two years to make it so.'
What if Nr. Ingalls, had said all that their
back-lappng strains at-What if, instead of
retorting that these Generals served the
Confederate purposes politically, he had
/ retorted to this dishonoring Confederate
patronage that it was becau they were
traitors to the flag in the war, what would
it be to thema How could they defend the
Generals from this perfidy without selfcOn-
dennationa
We're these Senators loyal to the National
Union, to the constitution, to the flag of
their country, or even to the States of which
they We're citizens. What were they that
they should rant with theatrical passion
over their constructive irnputation OF diSl0y-
atty upon others!
Did not Blackburn enlist in the Confeder-
ate army TO break up tho Nation of which he
was q citizen? He had not even the thin
disguise of loyalty to his State; for he en-
listed in war LEVIED against his State and
Nation
The constitution defines this to be treason
and calls him who does it traitor. Is there
no such sentiment as honor in civil life1
Has the citizen who turns traitor to his
country any standing from which he can de-
fend soldierif his loyalty to his flag should
be accused9
Did not Voorhees,, while living under the
protection of the laws of the United States
and of the State of Indiana, do all he could
to give aid and comfort ~ the Confederate
enemy! Did he not necessarily accuse the
motives of the Administration IN the war, as
not to restore the Union, but to destroy
slavery and the constitution
Was not all his course as q public man
and party leader calculated TO create disaf-
fcctlon toward the National cause and the
army, to dissuade volunteering, to promote
sedltion. and give countenance to traitorous
secret organization at home, and to send an
influence to the army which tended to eX-
cite dtsafectlon and desertionl
Did he lift up his voice to denounce the
organized and armed conspiracy whose
dark-lantern councils mined the State OF
Indiana, plotting to RE, hberete and arm
the Confederate prisoners OF war. seize the
State and invite IN the Confederate srnyl
Did he not, while a member of the L. S.
House Of Representatives, sworn 10 Sup
port the constitution, oppose the measures
to raise and support the army. and 90 all he
could, by means OF his legislative Office, to
disarm the Nation before the Confederate
arrniesl
Giving aid and comfort TO the enemy Is
called treason By the constitution. DID this
give ard and comfortl In the Confederate
ranks Mr.. Voorhees, would have been only
food for powder. i bullet would have
paid no more respect 70 him than to the
most illiterate Butternut But IN Congress,
holding the high trust OF legislator for the
Nation in civil war in which its existence
wes at issue. be was worth more 10 the
Confederacy Than regiment-s brigads--a
division Of men as good IS he-could be IN
the Geld
Is there 70 treason. 10 trcache-y, no dis
loyalty, no dlshonor by betrayal OF public
trusts, save IL the armyi IS there no seltl-
Inent or rule of honor outside the military
servicei Is every man except the soldier
exempt from the honorable obligation OF
loyalty 20 his countSys Tag and gwen hon
orab.e immunity TO disloyslty, treachsry and
treasoni Is not the legislators oath 10
support the constitution Is much al obliga-
ton Of honor as the oath Of the sosdierl
What is the measure OF difference II honor
aud disaonor II the legislator and N the
sol5leri
Mr. voorhees, was conspicuous leader N
the Democratic National convention when i
declared the war 70 restore the Union
failure and nominated for is candidate a
displaced General whose only qualification
that attracted Democratic support was his
military failure. The platform and the can
didste were designed 20 give notice 20 the
Coufede-acy Of the withdrawal OF ths Ma
ticnal armies, and OF submission 70 such
terms as the Confederacy might dictate
Was -h2. tie giving Of aid and comfort 70
the enemyt Democrats must think thai the
people have short memories when tEey pose
as defenders OF TIE honor Of the soldiers,
and try 70 spread tbs oaac.ous defense ever
the jreasonao.e and treachcr0ns course Of
their party through al TIE agony Of tie
National struggle, when the Democrat who
woald De loyal 10 his country lad - ca.
loose from his party. and wnen the Demo
Gratis who volunteered 10 SgE. fer tAsiS
cenn.ry were read ont Of lie party.