The National tribune., 1884-04-17
measures in the interest of ex-soldiers, which
by united action our veterans may be able
to induce Congress to enact.
wanted-A Little Common Sense.

I
been brought to our notice where Post has
repudiated the action of the committee. 1t
is undeniable, however, that an effort has
been made in certain quarters to stir up
dissatisfaction in the Order in regard to the
committees recommendations and to make
it appear that they do not fairly represent
the prevailing sentiment OF its members,
and we propose, therefore, to state as con-
eisely and clearly as possible the reasons
why, in our judgment, the action of the
committee ought to be sustained, and what
effect division of opinion in regard to it
would have upon the interests of our ex-
soldiers at the present iuncture
In the first place, If ought to be borne in
mind who the comrades are who compose
the committee and how they came to be
charged with the responsibility of represent
ing the Grand Army before Congress. This
committee was created by the last National
Encampment of the Grand Army, and its
members were selected from those of its
number who by reason of their long and
faithful service, their intimate acquaintance
with the interests of our ex-soldiers, and
their personal reputation as comrades of ex-
perience and sound judgment, were best
fitted for such an important mission. 1t
was within the power of the Eneampment
to have instructed this committee as to pre-
cisely what measures it should advocate and
what should be the limit of its recommends
tons, but it did not choose to do So 1t
recognized the fact that necessarily the
action of the committee would depend in
some degree, at least, upon what should ap-
pear to be the prevailing sentiment of Con-
gress-it had not yet convened-in regard
to pension legislation and the character of
the measures pending before it, and Tor that
reason left it entirely to the discretion of
the members to determine the policy that
should be pursued. If it was the opinion of
the Encampment that the committee, with
the knowledge that it was impossible to
secure their favorable consideration, should
nevertheless urge the adoption of such
measures as the land warrant bill and that
10 make good to the soldier the difference
between the nominal and actual value of
his pay in gold, it should have so in
structed; Ealing TO do so, it left the COM
mittee free and, indeed, with no other
alternative but to take such action as in its
Judgment was calculated to be productive
Of the greatest practicaE benefit to our ex-
soldiers.
Now. what was the condition Of things
when the members of this committee assem-
bled in this city? They found in the first
place, that ian immense number of pension
and bounty measures had been introduced in
Congress aIt were awaiting action by Senate
and House committees. They found, in the
second placl. that while there was strong
sentiment il Congress IN favor of Iibcralizing
the pension flaws, the effect of the introduc-
tion Of such Ia multiplicity of bills had been
TO create thd impression that cur ex-soldiers
were unreasonable in their demands and
would not BE- satisfied with anything. They
therefore SET to work to extricate from this
mass Of proposed legislation such bills as
were obviously Of the first importance, and
in making this discrimination they were
actuated by the conviction that the interests
ofsuch of our ex-soldiers as were actually dis
abled, and moi in receipt of pensions, or in re-
ceipt ofinadequatep pensions, ought to be cared
for first Of all. That they were consistent
in their application of that policy the recon-
mendations upon which they finally agreed
ahundantly show. No one certainly can
deny that they cover the ground fully, nor
on the other hand can it be urged against
them that they demand anything unreason-
able Of the Government Unless, therefore,
those who hold that the committee did not
60 far enough in their recommendations are
prepared to maintain the position that sol
diers who are not suffering from disability
have as strong claims to the consideration of
Congress as those who are, they must con-
cede that the committee we're faithful to
their trust.
And now let US consider for a moment
what would be the consequence of a failure
on the part Of the rank and file of the Grand
Army to sustain these recommendation. In
the first place, ii would discredit them in
the eyes of Congress 1t would be said by
their Senators and Representatives awhy.
it's ofno use to try to satisfy these men. any
way they are not agreed upon anything.
They ask us to pursue certain line of
action, and before we can formulate it, they
disclaim all responsibility for it. If be-
cause we are not disposed at the present
time TO grant everything they demand, they
are not willing to snstain rs in what we
are willing TO DO. we may as well consult
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