Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-12-25

merely excite their contempt. A few
words OF blarney are accorded us in
their published speeches, vague and
meaningless. Nobody is deceived
these things mean nothing-we all un
derstand that.
In congress hundred soldiers bills
are introduced" every winter. sent to
committees, and ''sleep the sleep that
knows no waking" Yet they do not
openly sheer at us-not at all If ques.
toned closely, they all reply that they
are our friends. An open avOwal to the
contrary would be the death of them,
and they know it.
| am speaking, of course, of republi-
can politicians for of the democrats
we expect nothing. We are generally
republicans, and as such look almost
exclusively to our own party for favors.
They, one and all, regard us as little
better than brute beasts. They claim
to own the soldier vote. Why, then,
should they take pains to please us Z
What difference can it make how they
treat us2 We may be depended upon
to vote the republican ticket all the
same. We make no noise. Our pro-
tests are not audible. Why Because
we own no newspapers, attend no con-
ventlons and make no speeches. Our
voices are not heard in the land. We
hold no Office. The rank and file are fit
TO vote, but not to hold Office.
Isthat not a hard thing to say? 1t
ls-but 1T is true. Name one private
soldier whom Harrison has appointed
to office You can't do it! "1annerY''
Yes, that IS one, the only one; bnt he
was promptly bounced. No, sir; none
but millionaires, brigadiers and blue
bloods are in Office, and no others can
get there.
And we are expected to endorse this
at the polls. We are expected, like
dumb, driven CATTLE" to bow our necks
to the yoke laid upon US by our masters,
the .brigadiers and blue blOoded mil
lionaires. These are hard things to
write. But they are true as any word
in the four gospels, and no man dare
deny them.
And do the soldiers not know and feel
all these insultsp Yes; well do they
understand; keenly do they feel them.
What do they say Ask the poor pri-
Yates in the mills, mines and fields. but
for Gods sake don't ask the politicians.
The soldiers can speak for themselves,
but onlv in private. They are not priv
ileged to utter their complaints in the
press. 1t closes its columns on them
the moment they protest about it.
Even L, myself, an old hand at this
business, a republican from my child
hood. cannot get word of truth in any
republican paper, and am forced to ask
the democrats to publish the truth of
this matter. No one replies to my
statements in the republican papers ex-
cept to call me hard names. No one
disputes what say. And this is the
way our complaints are suppressed and
the reading public are never permitted
to know what the private soldiers are
saying-nOt a word of it!
Once in while they hear from us in
the silent ballot-as in this fall of 1889
and of the republican party. Then they
know what we think, quite as well as if
their papers published our speeches.
President Harrison heard from these
poor. quiet boys in their patches and
rags this fall, and next year, unless pen
sion matters change NIGHTLY, every
northern state will go democratic.
predicted this last summer.
Anyone can write it now.
We have stood this fOolishnes long
enough. 1t begins to thunder In the
mountains. The first faint notes of the
coming storm were heard this month.
Next year it will thunder all around the
sky if these insults are repeated, the
old soldiers still neglected, their PEN
sions still denied, their feelings still
outraged, and their complaints still
Knocked and jeered at
We will not turn democrats-We will
stay at home. If we can't hold Office
we won't vote, and how can you make
uSF Laugh at us for fools, treat US
like dogs, ostracize US like slaves, but
don't do all that and expect us to en-
dorse it at the polls in 1890, for we will
not. One-tenth of us at home on cleo
ton day, and every state north is dem
ocratc. Do you hear that, you gentry
that will take your seats in congress in
fortnight? Think of it and tremble.
You have our interests in your hands.
Beware! Your lives are in our hands.
and every man of you will be damned
to political infamy who fails to shovel
out the surplus according to contract,
1t was for that, and that alone, we sent
you to Washington, and we will DESTROY
you one and all If you fail to perform
your contract. PRIVATE DALzELL.
White Caps are still getting in their