The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-12-06
The Soldier. Friends and Foes.


series of papers on the friends and foes of the
soldier now in Congress or occupying re-
sponsible public or official positions 1t is
high time that our veterans were fully ac-
quainted with the character of the men upon
whose influence in public affairs, the recog-
milton of their rights at the hands of Congress,
aud the enforcement of the statutes affirming
the obligation on the part of the Govern
ment to prefer them in the appointment to
civil Offices depends,-for, unless they are SO
acquainted, it is impossible for them to fix
the responsibility for acts inimical to their
interests, or hold to account at the polls such
of their representatives as have proved faith
less in the discharge of their duties Moth
ing is more certain than that, if every soldier,
being fully informed in advance of the char
acter of rival candidates for Congress, and
their views as to legislation affecting the
welfare of the Nations defenders, was indie
pendent and courageous enough TO vote, in
the light of this information, in favor only of
candidates friendly to the soldiers cause,
the election would be insured of Congress
that would respect the rights Of our yeter-
ans and provide for the payment of their
claims
So far, of course as the present Congress
is concerned, it is too late for such action !;
but study of the character of the members
composing it, and careful scrutiny of their
acts during the session now beginning, can
not but help our veterans to form just and
intelligent opinion of their ability and pa
triotism, so that in the case of those who
may be candidates for reelection in thenext
Congressional canvass, they viii know which
of them deserves reelection and which
should be remanded to obscurity.
In selecting the career of Senator John A.
Logan as the subject for the first of this
series of papers, we have been influenced by
several considerations In the first place,
General Logan carried with him from the
scene OF his brilliant military achievements,
not simply great reputation for personal
gallantry and those qualities which make a
great commander Of armies, but-what
doubtless was still more precious to him-the
sincere admiration, affection and friendship
of the rank and file, and it may Faithfully
be said, indeed, that this attachment on the
part of our veterans has rather increased
than diminished since the war.
He displayed upon his return to civil life
the same profound and active interest in the
soldier that was characteristic of him in the
field Although not the immediate organizer,
| he was thesecond COMMANDMENTS hiefof the
Grand Army, and issued its first Memorial
Day order, and he is to-day the same
/ helpful, devoted and faithful comTade that
| he was at the birth of the Order. Bat, mere
than that, it is largely due to his persist
ence and elOquence as a member of Congress
and Senator from the State of Illinois that
the need of justice to the soldier which
Congress has, up to the present time, been
prevailed upon to grant. has been Sc
cured He has been most ardent and
able advocate of every pension measure
of merit that has had the consideration OF
the National Legislature, and but for his
untiring and unhesitating advocacy Of the
rights of the soldier before both branches OF
Congress, the friends oS justice must long
ago have dcspaired of the final recognition
of the soldiers rights But John A. Logan is
lion-hearted, and has always planted him
self on the color line. Many and many q
time he has carried the fight into the enemy's
ranks, and his voice wiz again be heard in the
Senate this winter demanding the payment
by this great and generous Government
of every cent that is due the soldier; and
our veterans may be assured that, whoever
else may prove false, Logan will be true tC
them aud himself