The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-11-27
DEMOCRATIC SOLDIERS.
Gov. Gray Speaks in Praise of Their Service
i'm War.

i'm War.
There was a large attendance OF the members
of camp Gray. Union soldiers and sailors
veteran association, Thursday at the Hendricks
club rooms, 10 hear an address by eX-Gov.
Isaac p Gray, in whose honor the camp has
been named.
Col. II. J. Robinson presided, and after the
formal opening of the session OF the camp,
announced the first thing in order 10 be the
appointment OF a committee 70 escort Gov.
Gray TO the hall. Dr.. W. c. Thompson ana
Gen. KoOntz were selected to perform that
duty. When they reappeared with the COVER
nor the entire audience rose and repeatedly
cheered the late chief executive Of Indiana.
As as quiet was restored, Mr.. Isaac y.
Bradwell delivered brief but eloquent
address on the history of the organization, and
the adoption by this camp of the name
which, he said, lit is proud 10 bear"
Gov. Gray expressed his gratitude for the
warm welcome he had received. The honor
conferred upon him by this organization is one
that the most exalted citizen in the land would
feel proud Of He thought il was time for or
CARNATIONS OF democratic soldiers to come into
existence No democratic organization has
ever spoken i'll of any soldier for being repub-
lican. But on the other hand, you, comrades,
have not been treated by republicans with this
NNnsiuCidl4pus DChttCA. ulNtAiuE VI iNpAt-
lican soldiers has ever been held at which dem
ocratic soldiers have not been insulted be-
cause they were democrats. lt has been said
that few soldiers that we're democrats were in
the army. These organizations Will demon
strate the fact that there were democratic sol
diers-tens of thousands of them IN the Union
army.
THE democratic soldier is the equal and is en-
titled TO as much consideration as is any other
soldier. II any one deserves credit for pure
and unseldsh devotion to country, that one Is
the democratic soldier. de knew when he en-
listed that his political adyersaries we're in
power; that they would claim all the glory for
the successful prosecution of the war, and that
there was no chance OF political preterment for
him; yet he did not hesitate on that account.
After the war these anEcipations were fully real
ized He was visited with political ostracism. For
twenty-four years no democratic soldier had re-
ceived any place under the government lie
might have left leg an arm upon some
bloody field while upholding the honor OF the
flag, but it made no difference to the republican
party.
II said in speech in Jay county at the close
of the wa- that to say the democratic party was
disIoyal and in favor of disrupting the Union,
was absurd and shameless"
The governor rapidly sketched the origin
and rise of the democratic party under Jeter-
son and brought its history down TO the acqui-
sition of Louisiana, the Mexican war snd the
vast empire accruing to us as consequence OF
that war.
"The party that has done oil this" said he,
Cannot truthfully be charged with attempting
TO dismember the Union"
He then spoke of slavery as the sole
cause OF the war. at was" said be, 'Older
than the Declaration of Independence, older
than the constitution. The people OF the
South were therefore not responsible for slay-
cry. can remember when there was no anti
slavery sentiment in the North. But slavery
did not justify the rebellion. That was great
wrong. In this country there can never be an
appeal from the ballot to the bullet.
"The people of the South glad that slav-
cry is gone. Judge Howe of Alabama said
publicly. we did not deserve 10 succeed.
We did not realize what curse slavery was to
u.s. The republican party has sought to main
tain itself by perpetuating the memories of the
war. They have held up the bloody shroud as
Mark Antony did that of Caesar, to influence
the passions of the people. 1t is time
ali this should cease. Governor
Foraker did not think so, and would not quit
fighting the battles OF the war until the people
over there quilted him.
"Why is the South democratic? The repub-
lican party made it so. The South was cOnsid-
cred legitimate prey. The earpet-bagcers were
supported in their rObbing and plundering OF
the southern people"
The governor then went on to congratulate
his hearers upon the organization they had.
In conclusion the governor said: II believe
the triumph of the democratic party viii yet
be as complete as was that of the armies of
the United States. They talk of defeating this
great party. Just think of it, For quarter
of century it was out of power, stgmatized.
denounced and often so nearly overwhelmed
that it seemed as if final extinction were at
hand. IL did not die. Why did 1t live? Be
cause it was founded on principle. 1t did not
live upon the spols of Office. 1t is the only
party capable of administering the government
in a national spirit. That OF the republicans is
narrow and sectional. The administration of
Grover Cleveland was the first and only one to
stand for the rights of the people against
monopolies. We went down, but we will not
stay down. Republicans will be hurled from
power in 1892 The result in state next
year is foreshadowed by the recent city cleo
ton. Gen. Harrison's administration has been
but a sorry imitation OF that of Grover Cleve-
land. l don't want TO say anything about Har-
rison's administration. The republicans are
saying enough. If every democrat does his
duty depend upon il, success is assured"
At the conclusion of the governors speech,
three cheers were given with will for Cleve-
land and Gray the next president and vice
president of the United States.