The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-09
CALL FOR A MASS CONVENTION.
NEw YORK Cry. Oct. l.

NEW YORK CRY, Oct /, 1884.
To my comrades, the Union veterans of the late war:
In your behalf, authorized by the Boston vet
Grams committee, | have brought the subject Of
service pensions to the notice of the national
| committees of both of the great political parties.
Gen. Butler, the candidate of the Peoples
party, has already publicly expressed himself as
strongly favorable to a most generous policy in
this direction.
found the Democratic national committee
unwilling to make an official declaration on this
subject, although, bearing a very kind introduc-
tory letter from Gen. Collins. of Boston, | re
ceived the utmost personal courtesy.
have no doubt, however, that my brother
ar-Democrats of the Union forces, in whose
brave hands the flag was always safe, will speak
Us a unit on this subject, and to their especial
attention | address my words, asking their zeal
Gus cooperation in the work in hand.
The Republican national committee desired to
make an expression, and it is herewith presented
to you.
I place this correspondence and statement of
facts before my comrades, and address them not
as one in authority, but simply as a comrade,
exercising the unquestioned right which every
man has, to speak to his fellows upon subjects
of common concern.
knowing that every veteran in the land we
love and which we saved from disunion shares
with me the deepest solicitude for the best in
terests of our brother soldiers, and feeling that
this subject of just pensions to those who sorely
need and richly deserve them is to us a pfinci-
pie as far above and beyond partisan politics as
are the stars above the earth, l suggest that we
assemble together in mass convention at Indian
apolis, Ind, on Thursday, Oct. "a, at II o'clock,
NJ, and there discuss this question in a self-re.
s~peeting, temperate and patriotic spirit, and
choose a representative committee, into whose
hands may be authoritatively given the subject
of pensions, with instructions to urge before
Congress, by all honorable means, such meas
ures as may be deemed inst. Recognizing in
our deliberations the fact that all public meas
ures must depend for success upon a favorable
public opinion-it will be our duty TO present
our reasons and arguments, to listen thought
fully to suggestions from the press and people,
to weigh well all facts and take such action con
corning an amended pension law as will appeal
to the fair, candid and generous judgment of the
country at large, and secure for 1t popular sup
port. Let this convention be, IN the broadest
sense, representative of all Union veterans, re
gardiess of party, creed, color, rank or soldier
society organizations, none of which latter con
tain a majority of the Union soldiers and sailors.
To this meeting all comrades, whether mem
hers of the q. A. r., Union Veteran Army,
Boys in Blue, Loyal Legion, or other kindred
organizations, and those belonging to none, are
most fraternally invited.
Observation and experience has taught us
that at such a time as the p-resent-shortly be-
fore Important elections-the public sense is
alert. sympathetic and responsive. 1t is, of all
times, the fttest TO test the merits OF any public
measure.
1t has been usual for such a call as this to
bear the names of many distinguished generals,
but the present occasion seems so clearly to de-
mand an expression from the great body of vet
Grams themselves. not from a few leaders, that l
put forth this call, confident that my comrades,
Influenced by the idea involved more than by
the signatures of any men, however eminent.
will respond, and themselves direct and control
this. their own movement and their own eonven-
ton.
All who approve this movement are requested
to Immediately communicate the fact to me at
the Sturtevant House, New York city, that a roll
of names may be prepared and published which
shall command the respect Of the entire country.
Z w. HASKELL.