Year: 1876




The national convention of Boys in
Blue at Indianapolis last week was
a very notable occasion. Over ten thou
sand veterans were pres s9nt. There was
no attempt to conceal the politics of.
the gathering, and it is needless to say
that it was unanimous for Hayes and
Wheeler. The speeches by Morton,
Garfield, Logan. Noyes, Hartranft,
Burnside, Ingersoll and Others were all
in the same vein, denouncing the Demo
cratic party for its disloyal course dur
ing the war, and declaring that the gov,
ernmeut must never be allowed to pass
into the hands of those who sought to
destroy it. The dense mass of soldiers
listened to the appeals to them TO save,
the country by keeping the Rebel Demo-
Gratis out of power with just as much
relish apparently as they did to exactly
the same kind of talk in 1868. There is
no public question to which the loyal
volunteers are so much alive as the one
of giving the South controlling power
in national affairs. 1t is because Blaine
tore the mask off the Democrats
in the House last winter, and so gal.
lantly struck the note of the campaign.
with all loyal hearts in such close
sympathy that he is held in such affec.
tion by the Boys in Blue. Blaine was
their favorite candidate at Cincinnati,
and in this convention the mention Of
no other name awakened such enthrts-
iasm as his. With these men the " ar
issues are not dead Issues. They are he
most Inspiring of any in this campai. gn.
Hayes is more taking candidate fir ON
the fact that he has been soldier. He
sent model communication to the c on
vention, the reading of which was fol-
lowed with the most intense enthusiasm.
He said: 81 am grateful to my com
rades of the Union army, assembled az
indianapolis, for their hearty greeting
The men who maintained the cause OF
national unity and freedom on so many
battle fields are not willing to see the re-
suits of the war imperiled by neglect or
misconduct at the ballot box. Their
example will be very Influential with all
intelligent and patriotic people"


The speech of Bob Ingersoll was per-
haps the most characteristic feature of
the occasion. 1t was such a speech,
Gen. Garfield said. as no other man in
America could make if he would, or
would make if he could. His eulogy of
them and of the party of liberty were
said to have been of more power than
anything ever heard before even from
Iugersoll. There can be no question
that this convention will have good
effect in moving the spirit of patriotism
throughout the whole country.


The following letter of Gov. Dix stat
: ing the purposes of the Boys in Blue is
worthy of special attention:


COMRADES 1t was my purpose TO be
present, as chairman of your national
committee, at your convention on the
Goth inst. Causes unforeseen until the
last moment prevent my attendance.
1t is my sincere belief that
the tranquility of the country, purchas
ed by your hardships, your perils, your
endurance, and your valor, depends
on the election of Gov. Hayes, the gal
liant commander, who led many of you
to victory. Independently of ell party
considerations, believe it to be far bet
ter for the South, better for the North,
better for every portion of our vast Re-
public, that the executive power OF the
government should be confided to him
rather than his opponent.
Recent occurrences indicate, l regret to
say, that there are at the South individ-
uals who are intent on disturbing the
established order. While all such pur-
poses are to be resisted and foiled, If
need be by the whole legitimate power
OF the government, generous conf
dence and support should be extended
to those who sustain it in its mani
fest duty to enforce the requirements
of the constitution and the laws. Your
organization was formed in no spirit of
hostility to any portion Of your fellow :
cluzens. Il WAS formed 10 nDaiptaiD by
the ballot in the political field the prin-
cipies which you upheld by the bayonet