Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-09-14

that will not burn with Indignation at the
news that comes from Columbus. The
country has anxiOusly watched the G. A.
K. eneampment. In time of political
excitement it was interesting to watch the
efforts of politicians to capture and control
a great and bepifcent organization; to see
if prominent members would be true 10
their non-partisan professions, or partisan
rsncor and partisan msligpity would tri-
umph. The latter has proven the case.
This latest exhibition was an insult to
the nations Chief Executive as unpatriotic
as it was despicable. 1t was q display of
the same character exhibited at the G. A.
X. reunion held here in the city CT Wheel
irg one year ago. 1t will be remembered
that the citizens of Wheeling opened their
doors to the organization. They bid IL
welcome. Democrats and Republicans
ioined in the greeting. They were re-
warded by display too coutemptib'e for
patriots, and worthy ooly of tbs few poll
tieians who engineered It aud hesitated a.
naught to gain their ends. The banner, 8
cot of which is reproduced above, was
swung over tue line Of march in front of the
RsGIsTER ofi;e. That, however, bore no
sentiment to which uo patriot could not
spoud with heartfelt sympathy. 1t vas
Inspired by q feeling rs honorable rs any
member Of the G.. A. dare
aspire to. Yet the msmbsrs OF that
organization IN the line of march sweryed
to the right aud LETT and trsiled the Amer
lean dag in ths dust when passiug il.
Such was the action Of the politicians in
the order. 1t would have seemed that the
national indignation that went up from
every corner of the land would have been
warning against a commission OF like
action. Ii would have seemed that the
honorable and brave sentiments o! true
manhood would have prevented it, aud if
these had failed, that the dictates OF pru-
dence, which role where honor and man.
hood were forgotten, would have prevented
iL Bat no. The politicians must rule.
They would be the railing spirits at Coluu-
bus. The Forakers, the Tutties, the Veg
uers, and their clsss were strangers TO
honor and shame and prudence alike. They
could not allow tns meeting to pass
without forcing their own base desires
and inclinatjon4 upon ii, and to thst end
they prOssitutsd An organization formed
for the noblest purposes to the qualification
of personal or political spite which no
broad or strong mind would hsrSor.
The President of the United States is
the President Of every member Of the G.
A. L. organization as well as every other
citizen Of the land. That message from
him, expressing sympathy and good will
should bs received with Kisses and
by any number of American citizsns, how
ever great their services and just their
claims is more than the. patriotic ssnti-
msnt of the nation will coadoae.
1t is hard to bslive that the masses Of
the Grand Army favor or approve Of such
demonstration aS greeted tbs reading of
President Cieyelsnd's courteous telegram.
IL is hard to believe that q body
that lays especial claims to patriot
ism should be guilty as su organization
of an uupasriotic sot. We do not believe
IT, We prefer to believe that it was the
work of few members who thrive of OF
politics and barter aud sell the influence
their position in the G. A. r. gives them.
They are the men who have lsbored in
dustriously 10 bring this great organization
into autagonism with the Democratic sd-
ministration and the Democratic party.
We believe that the public spirit Of the
country will rebaks them again as it fss
In the past. They deserve more than re-
buke. No pillory is too degrading to ex-
pose their infsmy upon. They should be
spswed forth-unworthy members of such
q body. They are enemies to fraternsl
feeling and good will, because they strive
TO keep alive sectional hatred, and they
are enemies TO the G. A. &. itself, for they
would bring upon il public opprobrium
and public contempt