The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-16
A Democratic Soldiers Warning.

In your Issue of Dec. Ii / notice an arti-
Gle under the head, The War Is Oyer"
which sets forth the articles of incorpora-
ton of the National Brotherhood of Old
Soldiers, the object of the association be-
ing to eradicate sectional feeling and to
make war on the G. A. +. in case that
body goes into politics. The last clause is
certainly anu ing 1t reminds one of the
story OF the old gentlemen who was found
on the streets of his village armed to the
teeth, and who, when questioned as to his
great preparation for conflict, explained
that he did not know but be might meet a
bear. and he thought he would be prepared.
why" said q neighbOr. there are no
bears here now" II know that" an
swered tho old gentleman. but they was
here once, and they mought come agin."
Now the originators or this visionary
move know full well that the Grand Army
Is not now nor has not been a political
body. and in their articles admit as much
when they say in case that body goes into
politics." They thereby confess the alb
surdity of the charge, and also of the origI-
nation OF their brotherhood, as they term il.
The fact Is that in the ranks of the Grand
Army are found members OF all political
parties and of oil Christian denominations.
and at no time has there ever been one
effort made as an organization TO COM
promise or In any way jeOpardize the rights
of any member IN exercising his political
n religious rights. In the post of the
o.. A. K. at this place are many mem
bers. active workers.. and among our
best citizens, who are and have al.
ways been active and uncompromis-
ing Democrats. It is, perhaps, true
that in many localities the majority of the
members of the q. A. II. are Republicans;
but il would be Just as reasonable to as
sert that every member OF a church was q
SAINT as 10 charge that the G. A. r., or. Tor
that matter, any other organization, was q
nautical marry aftpnly haPansa fhn mann.
bers In a majority belonged Go one particu-
lar political party. The soldier Is q poll
tician. and VITO has q better right to BET
This Is his country In q stronger sense than
can be said of any other body, polite or
individual. He spent the best part of his
life in defense of his country and brought
it ont of the baptism of fire. unscathed and
unbroken. to hand down to poster
ity as the home of the brave and
tho free. Do the gentlemen who CON-
pose this glorious brotherhood propose
TO dictate to tho soldiers of this fair land
what their politics. their religion and their
privileges shall be? 1t might be well for
them to offer a bill of fare tor their use. 1t
should be of better quality and greater
quantity than was given many OF the old
soldiers by some of the gentlemen who pro-
pose to form q part OF this great brother
hood.
The war Is over. No one appreciates that
fact more that the veteran who carried
the musket from Washington to Apo
mattox, from the Ohio river TO the sea.
And 10 one was more ready than he. when
the last gun had been fired. to extend with
open arms n welcome TO our Southern
brothers. The war was not one of politics
nor for political or personal a~ggrandize-
ment. Democrats. Republicans and Know
nothings were unknown In the great strife.
And it Is now high time that the cross
roads politician and his political claquers
of either or any party learn that the men
who carried the stars and stripes from At
lanta TO the sea. from ocean 70 ocean, are
still able 10 think and act for themselves.
and that they are Just rs loyal To the old
Hay znd their country as in 1851 no mat
ter what their political or religions belief
may now be.
There is one way By which all sectional
feeling can be eradicated. and that is fer
our frienes of the South, who carried arms
against their country and flag. to pat q
veto on the lirade of abuse of those who
upheld the lag of the Union, by their
orators and journals, and. for once and all,
admit that they were in rebellion and that
they arc now marching under the ST. rs and
stripes and not the stars and bars. Do the
patriotic gentlemen who comprise tho
Grand Brotherhood demand of Ms TO say
that we were w~ropg-that the war was a
f~ailure7 Must we disband our organize
tion of the G. A. RI Must those of us who
believe in the principles of the Democratic
party on present lssues-not In rebellion.
as these gentlemen would wish us to stand
leave the ranks of the g.. A.. X. because,
as they affirm. il might become n political
oryaniznEonf Why is it the posts of ex-
confederates all through the South 30 not
open their doors and clamOr tor union OF
the survivors of the two great armies!
Why Is IL that the q. A. X. has not
bounded and abused these e~x-confeder
nIes because OF their organization? Becnnse
we can sec no objection TO their posts
keeping alive their feelings of friendship
and comradeship. They were brave sol