The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-10-04


Army reunion. That was in the effort
made by the Democrats to capture SOL
dier votes One would scarcely expect
that the Democratic party would think
gathering of old soldiers sufficiently
fertile field for Democratic work to
make it even worth while attempting to
make converts to the Democratic cause
in it. But the situation is such des-
perate one that the Democrats have
stopped at nothing.
Wolves in Sleeps Clothing.
The result was that documents. espe-
cially prepared to influence the soldiers,
were sent over here from the Democratic
headquarters in New York in great
quantities, and men employed to wear
the Grand Ar1ny badge and distribute
Them broad cast among the old soldiers.
1t need scarcely be said that this fact
when it became known created the
greatest inc grafton among the veter-
ans gathered here. 1t was also discov-
cred that the Democrats have adopted
form OF campaign badge which SO close
ly resem bles the Grand Army button
that II can scarcely be detected as
counterfeit. This fact added to the in
dignation on the part of the old soldiers,
who saw in 1t an attempt to make use of
their nonpartisan organization for purti
san purposes, after the Democrats had
even refused to 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 to use this gathering for po-
Itic;il purposes.
Comparing Party Records.
One of the. most conspicuous failures
was the attempt made by Democratic
emissaries to show that the Democratic
party has been friendly to tho 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-
lation favorable to the veterans of the
late war originated with the Repu blican
party, and that on almost every bill
passed for the benefit of soldiers in the
war of the rebellion a majority Of the
Democrats voted against tho measure,
and that every Republican voted fer it.
1t 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, aud
that out OF the 1900 Republican votes
cast in the house upon these bills only
two votes were against them.
Records of Presidential Candidates.
One thing that has come to the minds
of the old soldiers gathered here in COM
pairing the attitude of the two parties
toward them has been the fact that
every Republican president elected since
the war has been distinguished soldier;
on the other hand, the only Democratic
president served his country by substi-
tute, and of the entire list of Demo
cratic nominees since the war only one
has been soldier.
One interesting feature of the occx-
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 to 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 "Assistant Democratic Party"
The farmers and others interested in
the progress of the great northwest are
evidently becoming rapidly awake to the
fact that the third party is attempting
to use them for the benefit Of the De-
mocracy. They see that vote with the
third party simply means 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
orado see that a vote in any of those
vote with the 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 the Democratic party. 1t would
mean the destruction of reciprocity,
which has added millions of dollars to
the sales of farm products and is open
ing markets for our grain and flour and
meat, and absolutely driving British and
German goods out of those markets and
admitting our own in their place.
No ''Tildcats" Need Apply.
Another thing which the farmers Of
the northwest are rapidly discovering is
that cooperation with the third party
means a return to wildcat money, which
caused the farmers such great losses |
when state banks were in operation be-
fore the war. The third party is as
much in favor of return to this sort of
currency as are the Democrats, bat /
whether it is or not makes little differ
ence. for the people now understand |
that in voting with the third people they
ocratic control of house, senate and
presidency.
.'Landslide'' In Manufacturing States.
Those coming from the manufactur- |
ing sections report LAND slide" IN !
favor Of the Republicans. Many man
ufacturers who have formerly been /
Democrats are now openly announcing |
their determination TO cooperate with /
the Republicans. IL the belief that the
ABSOLUTE free trade principles OF the
Democratic platform would when car I!
RED ont destroy manufacturing indus
tries and throw millions OF people ont of /
employment and millions OF dollars of I
invested cap,Laa would be made value |