Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-03
DECIDED FAILURES.

oDe cOGst &c uo1s failure duriu. the ofaud
Army reunion That MAS IN the effort
made by the Democrats 70 capture sol
der votes. One would scarcely expect
that the Democratic party would think
. gathering OF old soldiers sufficiently
fertile field for Democratic work 10
make il even worth while attempting 10
make converts to the Democratic cause
NJ IL Bur tho situation Is such des-
perate one that tho Democrats have
stopped al nothing.
Wolves ia Sleeps Clothing.
The result was that documents, espe-
cially prepared u infiasnce the soldiers,
we're sent over here from the Democratic
headquarters In New York In great
quantities, and men employed to wear
Tie Srand Army badge and distribute
them broad cast among the old soldiers.
lt need scarcely Do said that this fact
when IL became known created the
greatest Indignation among the veter-
ans gathered here. II was also discov-
cred that the Democrats have adopted a
form Of campaign badge which 50 close
ly resembles the Grand Army button
that 10 can scarcely be detected as .
counterfeit. This fact added TO the in-
dignation on the part Of the old soldiers.
who saw IN II an attempt 70 make use Of
their nonpartisan organization for parti-
ar purposes, after the Democrats had
even refused 10 appropriate penny in
congress for the entertainment Of the
old soldiers. The contrast between the
two parties was strongly marked in the
apparent absence OF efforts by the Re
publicans 10 use this gathering for po-
htical purposes
Comparing Party Records.
One Of the most conspicuous failures
was the attempt made by Democratic
enissaries 70 show that the Democratic
party has been friendly To the soldier
Those who are familiar with the work
OF congress quickly met and defeated
this effort. They showed from the records
OF congress that nine-tenths Of the legis-
iation favorable To the veterans of the
late war originated with the Republican
party, and that on almost every bill
passed for the benefit Of soldiers in the
war Of tho rebellion . majority Of the
Democrats voted against the measure,
and that every Republican voted for 1t.
IL was shown that IN the aggregate of
the votes upon the dozen or more great
pension bills that have been passed by
congress nearly two thirds Of the Demo
Gratis voted against the measures. and
that out Of the 1900 Republican votes
east in the house upon these bills only
two votes were against them
Records ~ Presidential Candidates.
One thing that has come to the minds
Of the old soldiers gathered here in COM
pairing tho attitude Of the two parties
toward them has been the fact that
every Republican president elected since
the war has been a distinguished soldier;
on the other hand. the only Democratic
president served his country by a substi-
tute. and OF the entire list Of Demo-
cratic nominees since the war only one
has been q soldier.
One interesting feature Of the occa-
sion was the opportunity it gave for
inquiry into the political prospects in
various parts Of the country. The gather
ing brought not only old soldiers of both
parties, but many others who were
drawn here 20 witness this great gather
ing OF veterans. Talks with men from
every part of the country show the Re
publican prospects to be extremely
bright
The "a ssissans Democratic Party"
The farmers and others Interested In
the progress OF the great northwest are
evidently becoming rapidly awake 10 the
fact that the third party Is attempting
90 use them for the benefit of the De-
mocracy. They see that a vote with tho
third party simply meaIs a vote for
Democratic success. The Democrats are
quietly working through and with the
third party to destroy the Republican
majority In those states which have
heretofore been safely Republican. The
thinking people of Illinois, Wisconsin,
the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas and Col
orsdo see that a vote in any Of those
states with the Peoples party is really
vote with she Democrats. The success
Of the Peoples party in any Of those
states they now readily understand
would mean not The success of any Of
the principles Of that party. but the sue
cess Of she Democratic party. IL would
mean the destruction Of reciprocity.
which has aided millions Of dollars 70
The sales Of farm products and is open
ing markets for our grain and -four and
meat. and absolutely driving British and
German goods out Of thoss markets and
admitting our own IN their place.
No '"wIlsests'' Need Apply.
Another thing which the farmers Of
she northwest are rapidly discovering IA
that cooperation with the third party
means a return TO wildcat money, which
caused the farmers such great losses
when state oanxs were in operation be
fore the war. The third party IS "a
much in favor OF return 10 this sort II
currency as are the Democrats. but
whether u IL OF not makes little differ
sncs FIR the people now understand
thas IN voting with fhe third people they
ere merely helping ~ bring shont Dem
scratic control OF house. senate and
presidency.