The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-03-19
ArrENr1oN SOLDIERS AND PATRI.
OTIS.
The Hero Of Allatoona Pass and President
Harrison---Oapt. Alfred II. Lee, a Vet
eran Republican ard Veteran Soldier,
Gives His Views on the Situation.


eran Republican ard Veteran Soldier
Gives His Views on the Situation.
(Fiom the Columbus Post)
The unspeakable littleness, meannesi
and hypocrisy of the Harrison ADMIN
istratjon have an appropriate ilIustra
ton i'm the removal of General John M
Corse from the postmastership at Bos'
ton.
No braver or better soldier drew
sword during the late war than Corse
There are probably several others IN the
city besides the writer, who remember
seeing him borne to the rear desperate.
ly wounded during Sherman's battle at
the Tunnel on Missionary Ridge. None
who witnessed that incident will ever
| forget 1t.
hut it was not at Missionary Ridge
| that General Corse won his proudest
| distinction. When Hood turned north
wi h his whole army after the fall of
| Atlanta. he struck the railway In the
rear of Sherman's army, tore up ten
miles of 1t, and sent Rrench's Division,
five thousand strong, to seize the
mountain pass at Allatoona, where a
large quantity of army supplies was
stored, gua;ded by three small regi-
ments.
General Corse's division was then at
Rome, about thirty miles west of the
pass. Deeply anxious General Sher-
man, while hurrying on from Atlanta,
signaled from one mountain to
another across the country, over the
rebel army, to Rome, calling Corse to
the relief of the Allatoona garrison.
AS soon as he could make up train
General Corse set forth by rail with one
brigade, leaving orders for the rest to
follow. He reached Allatoona just be-
fore French did, and had in all less than
1000 men with which to make the de-
fense. French demanded his immedi-
ate and unconditional Surrender and
gave him but five minutes to make up
his mind, adding that he was anxious
"to avoid a needless effusion of blood"
Corse rephed. ave are prepared for
the needless effusion of blood when
ever it's agreeable TO you"
French thereupon moved his whole
force to the assault and the battle ragged
all the afternoon. In the midst OF the
engagement Corse was shot through the
face and fell inseDsible, but as soon as
he revived he resumed his command,
and continued to cheer his men. He
was obliged to abandon his intrench-
ments, but held the fort and repelled
every assault About shutdown French
drew off, leaving behind him three hun
dred dead, besides four hundred prison.
ers, and Corse sent his famous dispatch
to Sherman.
81 am short cheek bone and an ear,
but am able to whip all HI yetW
In contrast with this, the cowardly
commandant at Dalton, another point
on the railway further north, surren-
dered that post without blow. He is
probably holding an office somewhere
in the truly good Wanamaker's Depart
ment.
There was no more heroic exploit in
the entire course of the war than the
defense of Allatoona. The whole Ma.
tion was thrilled by it, and out of it
grew the popular proveIb Hold the
Fort" which has even gotten into the
hymn books.
But while the brave Corse could hold
the fort against the rebels, he couldn't
hold the Boston post Office against the
greedy and selfish partisans of the Har-
rison school. His wounds, his brave
deeds, his brilliant services availed
nothing against the crime of disbeliev.
ing in McKinleyism ana HarrisoIism -
in monopoly and cattle hair clothes.
When his removal was first demand
ed, both the Republican Senators from
misunderstanding partisans as
they are-advised his retention, admit
ting that he was the best postmaster
Boston had ever had. The evidence is
overwhelming that he had discharged
his official duties with most admirable
efficiency. But no matter; some OBJ.
scure partisan nincOmpoop of the Wan
amalSer type wanted his place, and got
it.
The only protext given for the out
rage is that General Corse was Dem
Ocrat. He had the misfortune to be
appointed by President Cleveland, and
that was sin enough in the eyes of
President who is capable of preaching
one thing to catch votes, and practiciDg
directly The opposite thing after he gets
them.
When the good Mr.. Harrison penned
his letter of acceptance as candidate
for the Presidency he put into it these
words: "Fitues and not party service
should De the essential and discrimi- |
mating test in appointments to every |
grade, and fidelity and efficiency the |
only sure tenure of Office" But never |
was political pledge more flagrantly
and brazenIy violated than this one has |
been. Under the Harrison administra-
tion, as the Corse case well illustrates, |
fitness is of no consequence against
party service, nor does anything fur
nish a more worthless tenure of Office |
than fidelity or efficiency. Whoever
wants to be sure of retaining official |
position under such regime should
prepare to surrender his manhood, |
play the licksplittle to the trust lords,
and throw fitness. and efficiency to the
winds. Heroes of the Corse type are
not wanted. They are not considered
fit for postmasters or any thing else,
unless they join the cattle. hair school
of political economy.
ALFRED e. LEE.