The National tribune., 1881-08-20
WASHINGTON, D. c., AUGUST 20, 1881.
Our Platform.

THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE Will not be politi-
cal sheet, in the sense in which the term is gen
orally used; nor viii it be partisan journal
except in so far as it advocates and defends the
interests of those who have worn or now wear
the Army OF Navy Blue, and of those who have
been or are dependent upon them.
In this latter sense we confess to our strong
partisanship-a partisanship, however, that is
national in its character believing that even
those who differ with us upon questions of party
policy will agree touching the duty of the Gov
ernment to care for those who maintained its
integrity-their widows and orphans.
There are three principal planks in our plat
form, viz:
1. That loyalty is the first duty of every
citizen.
2. That those who have served the country
faithfully, either in the Army or Navy, shall
not be forgotten, now that the danger which
called them from their homes has passed away.
g. That the Nation shall keep its pledges to
the soldiers and Sailors their widows and Or
phans as sacredly as those made to the bond
holder shall insist upon the legislation neces-
sary to an equalization of bOunties-and the full
payment of arrears of pension to those who have
not already received the same, and, in addition,
the enforcement of the law already upon the
statute book, which provides that, "Persons
honorably discharged from the Military or Naval
service by reason of disability resulting from
wounds or sickness incurred in the line of duty,
shall be preferred for appointment to civil office,
provided they found to possess the business
capacity necessary for the proper discharge of the
duties of said Offices"
In bringing about these results, those whose
cause we advocate can effect much If the ex-
soldiers of the country were to agree not TO sup
port for Office any man. no matter by what party
name known who is not in favor of such legis-
lation, it will not be long before Congress
will feel the power of their united strength
In this respect we may learn from the South,
which has since the war sent few representatives
to either House of the National Legislature who
were not at one time arrayed in arms against the
General Government Let the great North and
West adopt the same course-send their soldiers
to Congress and laws viii become more liberal,
and the bOndhoder will not hold the purse
strings of the Nation as at the present and in the
past, at least for a number of years. Then the
the pensioner will no longer be considered an
alms-taker, but just creditor of the Nation.
He who applies for an equalization of bounty
will not be looked upon a mendicant, nor will
the applicants for Office, because of services faith
fully rendered in the face of danger be set aside
for others who, at home, helped by their votes
and influence to advance the political fortunes of
other stay y-at-homes like themselves.
We do not wish by this to be understood as
Military or Naval service of the United States
during the late war-far from it; but we do mean
that, their patriotism being the same, those who
risked life upon land or sea- all things being
equal, are entitled to preference over those who
remained behind from either choice or necessity,
and should have it; and that those who lost limbs
O. health in the service of their country enti-
lied to first consideration where office is con-
cerned 1t is the duty of the Government to
care for them, so far as possible, in manner that
shall relieve them from the feeling of being mere
paupers kept at the national expense. If they
are able to work let the Nation and Government
give them work TO do