WAUPACA POST

August 4, 1887

 

Headquarters J.B. Steadman Post, G.A.R.

 

                        Manawa, Wis., July 1887

            ED. WAUPACA POST: - Will you kindly allow the members of this post space in the columns of the POST to express their indignation for a wanton, gross, and uncalled for insult, offered to this Post by some of Manawa’s citizens.  Persons of whom would be expected common decency.  A few merchants, a couple of M.D.s, and some henchmen, gathered themselves in a band of fraternal braves, under the leadership of a truly Christian psalms singing merchant, and for a purpose requiring physical courage of a superior order.  One evening when this Post was in session, this undaunted and invincible band, with heroic valor, assailed the Post windows with large fire crackers. So long and incessant did it continue this fusillade that no doubt was left of its object being to annoy and insult the Post. Some of those braves were asked if the Post ever injured or insulted the citizens of Manawa collectively or individually.  The answers were invariably, no, but the lion hearted chief boldly proclaimed “they wanted fun”.  Fun, fun, just reflect a moment on the quality of this fun. Those braves being in the prime of life and calling themselves men, ought to be truly grateful to nature for endowing them with the nobleness of feeling, the refinement of mind and the fine sensitive instincts, which crave for the fun of abusing and insulting a handful of broken down old soldiers, broken down in the service of their country, in defense of their national flag and in assisting to save the government that those braves might be free, free to form in a midnight rabble to harass and insult old veterans when their work was done.  No doubt this species of fun is richly gratifying to such natures as crave it, but to a person possessed of a manly heart, a manly taste and common decency it is revolting, it is loathsome.  This Post holds this action and the actors up to the contempt and execration of all honorable American citizens.  Some of those braves are loudmouthed in denouncing the Pres. of the U.S. for what they style going back on the Soldiers.  O consistency! This act was at least constitutional.  He did not in cover of darkness gather about him a group of rowdies to visit contempt and scorn on Grand Army Posts.  This post ventures the opinion that if some of those M.D.s would give their talents more to their practice of surgery, and less to the art of aiming fire-crackers at Grand Army Post windows, it might be better for their patients.

            The foregoing is approved by committee of the whole.                                VETERAN.