Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1892-12-08
WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE.
"Woodman, spare that tree,
Touch not a single bough;
In youth 1t sheltered me,
And I'LL nrotect IL nnw.n

Touch not a single bough;
In youth 1t sheltered me,
And I'll protect it now"
The tramp of the Office scalper will
soon be heard upon the steps of tn,
White House. The above sentiment
irrespective of politics, expresses tn,
feeling that the country at large hal
in regard to the removal at least of ole
soldiers from Office. Having sheltered
with protecting arms, the Government
itself in an hour of sorest need, il
makes the corresponding duty, theil
retention in Office, clear and obvious
The general law wisely provides thai
the old soldier shall be a preferred party
both in holding Office and obtaining it
The very recent utterances of Mr.
Cleveland, at the dinner given him in
New York, would seem to give assur
ance that this written and unwritten
law of the American people will be
observed. His words there were frank
and outspoken: IF we see nothing
In our victory" he says, ''but a IL
cense to revel in partisan spoils, we
shall fail at every point. If we merely
propose to enter upon our work, and il
we made the apparent endeavor to do
1T as a means for seeking partisan ad-
vantage, W shall invite contempt and
disgrace. If we attempt to discharge
our duty to the people without CON-
plete party harmony in patriotic action,
we shall demonstrate .our incompe-
tence."
These are brave, patriotic words, and
Republican as we are, we heartily APP
plaud them. patriotic action" means
a purpose to sustain patriotic senti-
ment; men who have made the patriot
ic, not a possibility but a reality, can
not be treated alphabetically if this
speech means what it says. We are
Americans first and party men secon d.
The matter of removal of soldiers
from Office whose commissions are I'M
expired, has a direct bearing upon our
own Congressional District. To speci-
fy particularly, there are four old sold
iers in the First District whose records
of honorable service entitle them to
serve out at least their commissions.
1t is easy to give many reasons for
their retention, but we prefer to rest
the whole case where it properly be-
longs-upon the right of a soldier who
has presented his own body in bloody
battle as a shield to the honor of the
country, not to be disturbed-"save for
cause" Any other action would vio-
late American traditions and American
sentiments.
The cases to which we refer are the
following postmasters !: Captain George
Mcpherson, Postmaster at Jonesboro,
was commissioned by President Harri-
son January II, 1899, for four years A;
his term of office expires January II,
1895. Captain Mcpherson served in the
war with Mexico, as a member of Co.
d, Fifth Tennessee Infantry. In the
war of the Rebellion he served his
country faithfully as Captain of Co.
D. Eighth Tennessee Cavalry.
Z Lieutenant A. j. Frazier, Postmaster
at Greeneville, was commissioned Post
master by President Harrison February
Is, 1890, for four years, his term expir-
ing February 18, 1894. Lieutenant
Frazier entered the military service of
the United States as a private in the
Fourth Tennessee Infantry, and was
mustered out as Lieutenant of Co. E of
that regiment, after more than two
year g service. Lieutenant Frazier was
appointed Postmaster to succeed Thorn
as j. Lane, Democrat, who was APP
pointed by President Cleveland. No
effort was made to remove Mr.. Lane
before his term expired.
Captain ]. A. Goddard, Postmaster
at Morristown, was commissioned by
President Harrison December 20, 1889
his term of four years will expire De-
cember 20, 1893. Captain Goddard en-
tered the service of the United States
November 6, 1869, as a private of Co.
A, Third Tennessee Cavalry. For gal.
liant and m~eritorious service he was
promoted to the Lieutenancy of Co.
X, and later, for same reason, was
made Captain of Co. H, Of same regi.
ment, serving three years. Sam. W.
Shields, his Democratic predecessor,
appointed by President Cleveland,
served within one month of the expira-
ton of his term, and resigned. No eff
fort was made to remove him.
Lieutenant s. H. Gault, Postmaster
at Rogersville, was commissioned by
President Harrison March 10, 1899 his
term of service will expire March IS,
1896. Lieutenant Gualt entered the
military service of the United States
February 10, 1869, as a private in Co.
A, Third Tennessee Infantry, was pro-
noted to a Lieutenancy of same Co.
for gallant and ~meritorious service.
The last year of the war he served as a
member on the Staff of Major General
Joseph A. Cooper, one of the most gal
liant officers of the war of the Rebel
lion, and was with General Sherman
in his celebrated march through Geor-
gia, TO the sea.
These are all Tennessee soldiers, men
of capacity and integrity +; identified
with the welfare Of their several com
munitias-