Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-12-20
PRIVATE DALZELL!
HE SAYS THE e.. A. r. Is BUT A
REPUBLICAN MACHINE.


HE SAYS THE q. A. r. Is BUT A
REPUBLICAN MACHINE.
He Writes an Interesting Letter
to the St. Louis Eepuonc
that Speaks Plainly.
To the Editor of the Republic:
CALDWELL. o., Dec. las the arti-
cles lately published in the Republic
over nv signature have awakened con-
siderable discussion throughout the
country, and some Of the statements
made by me. as mere matters OF fact,
have been seriously questioned, l pro-
pose now, leisurely and carefully calmly
and deliberately with your kind per-
mission, to set out plainly and at length
once for all, my version of the history
OF the Grand Army of the Republic, 80
far as that history throws any light up
on the question whether or not the
Grand Army of the Republic and the
republican party are i'll harmonious
union, in fact, one, in thought, feeling
and purpose.
Now, few words by way Of preface:
I am not antagonizing the interest OF
the Grand Army of the Republic. AS a
member of that great military society
from the beginning, 1 am devoted to its
peace and prosperity. Nor will 1 suf-
fer any man unchallenged to assert the
contrary. l know it is the conventional
style of answering my Statements to
;amake mouths at me, call me vile names
and denounce me as an enemy of the
Grand Army Of the Republic. 1 care
nothing for such invectlve calumny and
Salsehood. I keep right on, turning
n.either. to the right hand nor to the
lett, inspired only with lifelong pur-
pos>s to benefit my poor comrades, pro-
cure for them needed legislation in the
matters of pension and bounty, and to
make all things-even politics and pro-
prietiee-bend or break, SO be that pur-
pose shall meet it's full accomplishment
through thu, instrumentality of the re-
publican party, called now to the gov.
ernment for that purpose alone.
have devoted my whole public life
for this object, and spent fortune for
the benefit of my comrades of both par
ties. Who will deny that2 Is it not cor
oborated in the files Of every daily news
paper in the United States for the past
quarter OF a century? 1 have never re-
ceived so. much as one cent for this ser.
vice. AS Coleridge said of poetry, SO
say without fear: of contradiction of my
6lisinterested and unremunerated SER
vices for my comrades. the boys in blue
s'It has hfen to me its own exceeding
gr,sat reward
C'uly this; nothing more. Am [ hurt
ing tue cause of the soldiers, and OF
the noble party to which have belonged
from tue beginning, when l stumped
for Fremont, by stating boldly, openly
truthfuily, what more prudent men
decline to state from considerations OF
policy and supposed party interest
alone? Only crimes and conspiracies
against the peace and the welfare OF
society and Of individuals require the
concealment and preyarication with
which my critics think this subject
should be handled.
Ib,>lieve it will bear the light Of day
/ glory in the republican party because
it is friendly with the Grand Army OF
the Republic, its sworn ally and friend
glory in the Grand Army of the Re
public because It is devoted life, limb
and honor terrens," soul. mind, body
and estate to the A,rand interests OF
the great triumphant l>arty OF my coun
try, and party of mankin>1, the republi'
can party, that is, the govtrnment Of
the United States; for, in trulo aud II
fact, one is the other, the three are one
the trinity, the holy trinity, of the
Union! 1, therefore, cannot be made n
any wise to antagonize either of them!
My only object-and but for this not
one Of these articles, of which this il
neither the first, the longest nor the
last, would have been written-my ON.
ly object, to be blunt and plain, in all
Write on the subject, is to force the poll,
tisians to equalize our bounties anC
grant us all pensions back to 1865, al
312 per month uniformly. Will any
comrade, democrat, mugwump, prohi
bitionist or republican, find fault with
me for doing that? Will any Union
soldier ask me very nice questions abou,
how l accomplish it, SO be shall ge,
him his Inoney that is due. and lons