The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-07-23

publican Success in 1883, in the Cleve-
land Leader, Writes Very Interesting
Letter to the Colonel Of His Old Regi-
ment.
Yesterday the editor of the NEWS
DEMOCRAT received the following letter
from Washington, from J. Fraise Rich
ard, late of Co. B. 1l1th o. V. 1. The
letter is evidently intended for publica-
tion, although there is no private word
enclosed. General Sherwood parted
with j. Fraise Richard at the close of
the war, and this is the first word he has
ever received from him since. That
seems long time ago-some 26 years.
Why Comrade Richard should
now address his old Colonel with such a
letter seems strange. Comrade Richard
served through the war and was in
many battles. BY referring to our
official roster of the 111th o. V. l. we
find Comrade Richard was member of
Co. B. from Wood county, Ohio; that he
participated in many battles, and that
he was mustered out at Louisville, KY,
June 9th, 1860, Here is the letter,
printed without alteration or abridg-
ment:
WASHINGTON, d. c., July 20, 1891.
GEN, l. r. SHERWOOD, Canton, o.,
My Dear Sir and Comrade:-I am
now and have been a Republican ever
since cast my first ballot. You re-
member that our Ohio soldiers were
permitted to vote in the field. AS a
member of your regiment, the 11lth
Ohio Infantry, voted first at Knox
vile, East Tennessee, on the Sth of
l,n I,oN
of Lincoln aud johnson, as against Nc
Clellan. The regiment was with Scho-
field in Middle Tennessee, retreating be-
fore Hood until Franklin was reached,
where was fought one of the most terri.
iic battles of the war. On the day re-
ferred to, Department Headquarters
then under command of Major General
Stoueman, were removed from Knox
vile, where they were established by
Burnside, the autumn previous, to
Louisville. In all national matters
since that date have voted and work
ed with the Republican party, because,
in the main, it represented my princi-
ples.
In the campaign of 1888 / was an ear.
nest advocate Of the protective policy of
the party. In fact, if the CleVe-
land Leader of March Sth of that year
is examined, it will be found that in
an article entitled, "The Future of the
| Republican Party" not only predicted
the success of the party that year, but
outlined, substantially, the Chicago
| platform, three months in advance of
the convention. l gave to Major Nc
Kinley, who was chairman of the com.
mittee on resolutions, the substance of
the platform adopted. In that plat
form the cardinal point was: Protec'
ton to American Industry. 1t was the
rallying cry of the campaign, and over.
shadowed all issues.
When came to Washington in Jan
uary, 1890, supposed should see the
principle practically exemplified in the
government. l discovered, however
that 1t was simply campaign Shibb0-
leth, and had no practical significance
whatever. AS brother of Nasty once
said in my presence, when asked %heth
er he was a temperance man: "Well
yes, theoretically / am, but practically
drink" There is a theoretical Pro
lection for campaign purposes. and 6
| Protection, both theoretical and prac-
tical, for manufacturers and those who
do not need it; but there is none wortl
|
general. 1t is, as exempted, sort ot
special class Protection. A close mo
nopoly of the good things.
Now l am an American in the fulles
sense of the term. l believe in protec-
ton to all American persons as we'll a.
| American property-to American minC
products, as well as American min,
products. Not only do l believe will
Harrison's ante-election platitude, fol
which he was so highly commended
that "the gates of Castle Garden swinI
inward" but that the gates ought to bl
bolted against an indiscriminate influ1
of criminal and pauper labor. In othel
words, want to see our people protect
ed, in deed and in truth, and not hum.
bugged during political campaigns by
professional politicians.
| 1t is lamentably true that govern.
ment departments here are filled will
aliens to the exclusion of bona fide ma
| tive Americans, and that, too, often by
Republican officials who are loud il
their theoretical professions of Pro
lection. The hypocrisy of their plea
will, hereafter, be thoroughly tested.
| Victims are not caught a second time
| by such thin professions. The large
number of Republicans discharged
from the Census Office to give way fol
ex.rebels or non-yoters, from the Dis
trict of Columbia, will have its effect
upon the campaign in Ohio this fall
| Union soldiers and Republicans are moi
intending to be deceived longer by such
claptrap. They will remember these
professional protectionists In a way
that will teach them practical lesson
for the future. Political platforms are
like car platforms, not intended to be
stood upon by passengers. The people
however, will have something to say
in future, as to the policies they will
have. Mere Senatorial, Congressional
or Gubernatorial dictation will not suf
fee.
Judging from what / hear in this
city, Ohio and Iowa will be interesting
battlefelds this fall, and some startling
surprises may be expected
Jn oil And 4.