Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-10-04
THE BOYS IN BLUE.
THE DEMOCRATIC VETERANS AWAKE TO THE ISSUE.

Comrade Amos J. Cummings' Experiences in the Great Grand Army Review-Bri- gade Upon Brigade of Democratic Vet erans-AH Shouting for Cleveland. No sensible man will take any stock in the assertions that the bulk of the
 Grand Army vote will be boiled against
 Cleveland and Stevenson. The man
 who makes this assertion does not know
 the composition of the Grand Army.
 Without the muskets of the Demo-
 cratic soldiers from the north the Union
 could not have been preserved. The
 Democratic veterans are still in line.
 They are as devoted to Democratic prin-
 ciples now as they have been in years
 past. The allegation that either MT.
 Cleveland or the Democratic house has
 been opposed to pension legislation is
 untrue. The record shows it. Mir.
 Cleveland vetoed about 300 private pen
 sion bills while he was president. His
 veto messages are on record. They speak for themselves. Deserters and
 those unworthy of pensions alone can take exceptions to them. He signed moro pension bills during his term of office than MT. Harrison has signed.
 Honor is the heart of the Grand Army organization. MT. Cleveland's pension vetoes appeal directly to its spirit of honor. Grand Army veterans recognize this and will reward it. The Republic ans have dared to pass only fifty of the 300 and odd pension bills vetoed by Mr.
 Cleveland, and no more.
 A majority of the Democrats in tie Fifty-hrst congress voted for a service pension bill. These votes are on record. If they had been sustained in their ac- tion by the Republican members of Tom Reeds congress, service pension bill would have been passed, and this is what the Grand Army has asked.
 l attended the Grand Army encamp- ment at Washington as B member of Horace Greeley post, New York. Imet old army comrades from nearly every state in the Union. I saw no Democrat among them who was not heartily in favor of the national Democratic ticket. Thon- sands of Cleveland buttons were worn by those in the parade, and there seemed to be as many Democratic veterans in line as there were Republicans.
 General Daniel B. Sickles, the hero of Gettysburg, was among them. Maimed for life, he was cheered to the echo by his army comrades. All knew that he had repudiated the falsehoods concern ing his opposition to the Democratic ticket, and that he was heartily in line among it's supporters. No Grand Army veteran has brighter record and is more devoted to Democratic principles. He is true Democrat. His fight against MT. Cleveland ended when MT. Cleve- land was nominated, and like a true Democrat he heartily supports the ticket. He was the orator of the day when the veil was drawn from the monu- ment to the Tammany regiment at Get tysburg; he has presided at meetings of the Tammany Hall organization in New York, and his voice will be heard in Tammany meetings in advocacy of Dem cratic principles and of the Democrat ticket hereafter.
 Another Democratic veteran in line was General Henry w. Slocum. He commanded corps in the Army of the Potomac and led one of the armies of the west to victory. No man has ever questioned his devotion to Democratic principles. With the Brooklyn Democ- racy today he stands at the side of Hugh Mclaughlin, battling nobly for the Democratic cause. His example alone will inspire every Democratic veteran throughout New York.
 Another Democratic hero in the pa rade was General William s. Rosecrans. He won his straps early in the war in the campaign in West Virginia. At Iuka, Corinth, Stone River and on many another battlefield did he prove his de votion to the Union. Democracy means home rule, and William S. Rosecrans will never be found among those who advocate the force bill and the central ization of power
 And gallant General John M, Palmer was among the Democratic veterans. It IS absurd to question his fealty to the Democratic ticket. He is an enthusi- astic supporter of Cleveland and Steven son. In days past he has struck many a sturdy blow for the cause of Democracy, and in days to come these blows will be repeated. It was John M. Palmer who carried Illinois for the Democracy two years ago, and John M. Palmer, ven ture to say, with the aid of the Demo- cratic veterans in Illinois, will carry 0AdO 6CdCc 1OI Cu0 DGLlOcrdCy GllS fall. | He expresses the utmost confidence ill | Democratic success there.
 There were two Democratic soldiers | in Washington unable to participate in l the parade. One was the heroic General | Joseph J. Bartlett, of the Army of the | Potomac, and the other that brilliant | trooper, General William w. Averill. | Both were on sick beds. General Bart | lett was minister to Stockholm under i President Grant. General John c. Black | made him chief of division in the pen sion office. After the election of Presi- | lent Harrison he was turned out of his | place because he was a Democrat. The | blow was cruel one. He had a par alytic stroke soon afterward and was left with very little resources. Today ne is living upon pension granted by | 5he government. General Averill was more fortunate. In his old age congress placed him upon the retired list and he was saved from want. Both these ger erals are enthusiastic supporters of Cleveland and Stevenson.
 General John c. Black is also among he Democratic veterans. Crippled and