The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-07

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journnl
There seems to be a disposition on the
part of some of the old soldiers to vote the
Democratic ticket. There seems no we'll de-
fined reason why they should do so, but ev-
cry reason why they should not. The Demo-
cratic party is and always has been a ma
ligner of the old soldier, from 1861 to 1898.
The Democratic party has never been the
originator of any legislation for the soldiers
benefit. Not one of the general pension
laws has ever been introduced or passed by
a Democratic Congress; no general pension
law ever had the support of the Democratic
party. But all of the party opposition to
the soldiers and the pension laws has come
from that party All attempts at disfran-
chsing the soldiers, both in the field and
at home, have been by that party. All
wholesale attempts to drop Old soldiers from
the pension rolls without cause or self-de~
Tense have been by that party; all vicious
assaults and maligning Of the old soldiers
have been by the Democratic press. There
is no home for the old soldiers in the Demo-
cratic camp, and no hope for justice by the
Democratic party. The isolated cases
where anything has been done has been in
dividual cases in close congressional dis
tricts, where great things have been prom
Used by some who knew the party would
fail to carry out the plans, and were used
think of substituting Leon Bailey for the
Hon. Jesse Oyerstreet. The bill for the
payment of soldiers pensions at home, OF
should cause every old soldier TO cast his
vote for him. Every old soldier should sup
port the congressional and legislative ticket,
not only because of the fact that 1t is only
to the Republican party that they must
look for such laws as may benefit them, but
even for higher and better reasons. No
higher eulogy was ever passed upon the
Republican party, nor a better reason why
we should support it than that given by
Judge Terhune at Noblesville, when he in
ra Ia that
1884, during Mr.. Clevelands administration,
"a gloom settled down over the country,
most appalling. The manufacturer was
without orders, the laboring man without
work the farmer without a market, the bank
er afraid to loan his money, men discour-
aged, and not knowing what to do; capital
and homes swept away, and the government
borrowing money to pay expenses in time Of
peace and plenty, despair on the face of all
"a picture most dark and forbidding. But
as the morning sun arose on the morning
of the election of Major Mckinley il bore
upon it's face a smile of happiness and joy;
prosperity came to the merchant, labor to
the wage Garner and good markets and good
prices to the farmer; money became plenty
and prosperity reigned over the land, and
all wore a happy face" Such a eulogy
from a lifelong Democrat Is worth listen
ing to. Yet, all cannot but recognize the
picture. Comrades, we have not so soon
forgotten the few years preceding Presi-
dent McKinley's election as to go back TO
our degradation and misery. No. let US vote
for prosperity and the maintenance of the
party that gives us as soldiers all we have.
and the only one thai promises prosperity
and good times. Do not vote against Jesse
Overstreet, nor any other Republican con-
gresham, unless you Wdn to go down also.
To confront President Mckinley with a
Democratic Congress means a turning back
to disaster and discomfort The grand sue
cesses of our army AM navy, and the great
and important questions that must be set
tied in the next Congress demand at our
hands a continuance and a hearty indorse-
ment of the present administration. To do
otherwise means disturbance of all business
relations, which means hard times. Our
duty is plain; let US not court disaster.
Don't let any old soldier go back on the
party and principles for which he fought.
E. Fl. WILLIAMS,
Company l, Thirteenth Indiana Vols.
Noblesville, Ind, Nov. 4.