Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1887 — WHY HE WITHDREW. [ARTICLE]

WHY HE WITHDREW.

A. Grand Army Man’s Reasons for Quitting the Partisan Secret Order. (From the St. Louis Ropublloan.] Mr. W. Hayes, formerly a soldier in Hart’s Fifteenth New York battery and of Company C, Hancock’s United States veteran corps, is a resident of Hyer’s Corners, Wis. lie writes his reasons for withdrawing from the G. A. R.: 1 feel it a. duty to my country as an old soldier who served four years in the war of the rebellion, and who also was severely WQunded in that war, to give my reasons for withdrawing from the G. A. R., qf which I was a member (Post 25, Departs ment of Wisconsin) up to August 1, 1887. First reason, that the order has been turned from its fundamental principles to a selfish and unpatriotic purpose. Proof, its attempt to shape legislation in pension matters. Whenever a secret order attempts to shape legislation in its own interests, it becomes a dangerous thing to any nation, and therefore should be summarily suppressed. Second reason, that the G. A. R. has fallen into the hands of a powerful ring of claim agents, more corrupt than the Chicago “boodlers.” Proof, Gen. Lovering, at the last national encampment, charged the ring with using $40,000 in lobbying the claim agent fee bill through Congress. Third reason, that the order has become partisan. Proof, while commander of a post in this State, other members with myself received campaign documents from the Republican Congressmen entitled “Democratic Discrimination Against the Soldier.” Again, by the passing of resolutions denouncing those in authority for exercising their political and executive judgment in certain measures of a public nature, and also by abusing political opponents at nearly every soldiers’ gather.ng. Fourth reason, for flagrant violation of the rules and regulations of the order by publishing broadcast the proceedings of posts without proper authority. Fifth reason, the threat that certain leaders (as alleged) have made, that they propose at the next national encampment to denounce the President for daring to veto certain pension bills. I am convinced that I would do violence to my conscience, blacken the record that I made as a soldier, and commit a grierotis crims against my family, my country and myself to continue any longer, or lend my influence, with a secret order that attempts to shape legislation in its own interest. Washington warned his countrymen in his farewell address to beware of secret orders that would attempt to shape legislation. It would be well for us to listen to his words of wisdom. Our country has been very generous toward her defenders, and it seems to me to be inappropriate, as well as ungrateful, for us old soldiers to form ourselves into a secret combination and make demands on our country’s generosity, and, worst of all, to teach our posterity that instead of their sires being unselfish patriots they were but an army of hirelings. What, then, is the duty of every true soldier in the G. A. R.? Why, it is to come out from among them and show the world that it was patriotism that prompted them to go in defense of their country and not personal gain. The reasons which influenced Mr. Hayes ought to have weight with every patriotic citizen who has been induced to join the society. Good citizens, whether they are Republicans or Democrats, ought not to lend their countenance to a secret order which uses its whole influence to get money out of the treasury and proscribes those who oppose it. But they ought, at this time, to have special weight with Democrats, for the society is attempting to use Democrats to cover its partisan and mercenary aims. If it could induce some respectable and respected Democrat like Gen. Slocum, of New York, to become a figure-head for it, it would shield itself behind him and be safe in its attacks on the party andon the treasury. Its Republican managers are striving to secure countenance from Democrats, or, failing in that, what will pass for countenance, and if they succeed they will have the country by the throat. Alarmed pedestrian (picking up a painter at the foot of a ladder) —“My poor man, are you hurt much?” Painter—“ Only three ribs broken. But I went down with colors flying, didn’t I?”— Philadelphia Call.