The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-06-12
A Soldiers Ticket.

National Republican convention at Chicago,
and it is now in order to con slider to what
extent the action of that body reflects
the wishes of our veterans. In the first
place, let rs glance at the platform adopted.
What it most concerns our ex-soldiers
and sailors to know is whether or not it
contains plain, unequivocal, and emphatic
recognition of the rights to which their
services in the late war entitle them at the
hands of Government and people. In COM
parison with this, all other questions of
national policy sink into significance. How
ever they may differ on other points of
craftsmanship, the survivors of our armies
are agresd upon this, that no party or can
didate is worthy of support that does not
regard the execution Of the Governments
contract with the soldier as an obligation of
the highest sanctity, or lacks the patriotism
and courage to so declare. Does the senti-
ment embodied in the platform adopted by
the Republican convention fulfill that essen
tial condition? Let out veterans judge for
themselves It declares:
The grateful thanks of the American people are
due TO the Union soldiers of the late war and the
Republican party stands pledged to suitable pen
sions TO all who were disabled, and for the orphans
and widows of those who died in the war. The
Republican party pledges itself TO the repeal of the
limitation contained in the arrears of 1879,
that ell invalid soldiers shall share alike and their
pensions shall begin with the date of disability
discharge and not with the date OF the application
Here is not only broad and generous
affirmation of the true principle upon which
our pension laws are based, but distinct
and positive declaration that this principle
win hereafter be faithfully applied in the
recognition Of every soldiers right to pen
sion from the time when, under his con-
tract with the Government, he became epti-
tied to 1.-THE date of his discharge from its
service by reason of disability Of
merely from the time that he chose to de-
mand of the Government the fulflIment Of
/ its promise. This touches the very root of
the injustice to which our veterans have so
long been subjected. 1t raises them to a
level with the boDdholders and reasserts the
obligation of the Government to carry out
its contract with them IN accordance with
its original letter and spirit. 1t is just, it is
| patriotic, and we believe it will command
the approval not only of our veterans, but
the whole American people 1t is return
to the principles of Lincoln and his times
that crisis in the history of the Republic
when the injunction to care for him who
hath borne the battle and for widows and
and orphans was first laid upon the Nation.
But what guarantee have our veterans
that this pledge viii be carried out? For
that they must look to the character of the
nominees and the forces that were potential
In efecting their nomination. If the names
of James G. Blaine and John A. Logan ap-
pear in this happy conjunction to-day, it is
because oGr ex-soldiers themselves have
brought it about. 1t was their influence
which dominated at Chicago, and when they
foresaw that there was but one combination
which would prevent the nomination OF
candidates whose lukewarmness in their
cause was not longer matter Of question
they hesitated no longer, but enthusiastically
agreed upon this alliance of statesman
with a statesman, who was also soldier
That Mr.. Blaine and General Logan ara
thoroughly in accord as to the principle
enunciated in that plank In the platform
which guarantees justice to our veterans
we are well satisfied. i am proud and
honored by being associated with You in the
campaign" Mr.. Blaine telegraphed to Gen.
eral Logan on the night of his nomination
and the words have cordial, manly ring
Looking at the event purely from non
partisan standpoint, it must be conceded tha-
this association together on the same tickle
of a statesman, whose fame was won as the
leader of that great struggle to insure e
the Nation the fruits of its triumph owe
secession and slavery, and an equally illus
{ trious statesman and soldier, whose skill
and valor so largely served to make tina
triumph possible, is most auspicious cir
/ cumstance and calculated to fill the heart
Of our veterans with JOY and satisfaction.
? The name Of General John A. Logan i
/ indeed a sufficient pledge in itself that tn
2 guarantees of the convention that nominate,
him wiz be fulfilled. True to his country
: true to them, true to himself, his old sol
, diers win remember that he led them oftel
to victory, but never TO defeat AS he wa
proud Of their valor during the war, so ha
e he been solicitous for their ho1ior, welfar
: and happiness in peace Year after yea
: session after session, his voice has bee
heard IN the halls of Congress demandin
: justice for the soldier. He has been scoffe
at by the press, bis simple habits and IN
c compromising honesty have been ridiculed
and his very devotion TO the soldier be
: been ascribed to selfish motives; but i
spite of all, the name of John &. Logan i