The National tribune., 1884-05-29
country than that the name of his disability
had six Latin syllables instead of five.
The Soldier at Chicago.

Inc S0lu1er at SncasO.
The national convention of the Republic.
can party will convene at Chicago next
week, and that of the Democratic party the
fifth week following. In the action that
may be taken by these conventions our
veterans, aside from all considerations of
party feeling, have q common interest. 1t
is of the utmost consequence to them that
shall be men of loyalty, patriotism, unques-
toned integrity and assured devotion to the
soldiers cause, and, constituting as they
do most considerable element in our voting
population, they have right to demand of
both parties that in the choice of these can
didates their wishes shall be consulted. And
these wishes, we submit do not exceed the
bounds Of reason or of justice. Our veterans
do not ask that any particular candidate in
either party shall receive the nomination,
but simply that the nominee shall be a man
distinguished not only for his acquaintance
with public affairs, for executive ability and
personal integrity, but for his appreciation
Of the services of the soldier and his deter
mination to see that these services are
requited in accordance with the plain spirit
aud intent of the Governments own pledges.
AS between candidates who possess the
ordinary qualifications required in an aspir-
ant to the Presidency and candidates who
can show by an unimpeachable record that,
in addition, they thoroughly comprehend the
character Of the Republics obligations to the
soldier and have ever been jealous in de
handing their discharge, it is the wish Of
our veterans that the choice Of the conyen-
tons should be made from the latter, among
whom, as every one must admit, there is no
lack of available material. Can it be said
that they ask too much? Oaght they to
demand less?
Leaving ont of the question their import
ance as political factor, is there any body
of voters in this country which has so just a
claim to recognition in the deliberations of
these conventions, as well as the active
administration Of the affairs Of the Nation /?
TO them the Republic owes its very exist
ence. But for their yalor, who can tell what
misfortunes would have overtalen it?
In the triumph of secession the very
form of republican government might
have persisted and anarchy succeeded.
These United States, now one and indi-
visible in sentiment as well as in political
relations, might have fallen apart and some
daring adventurer set up an empire on the
ruins. Anything is supposable as the outcome
of the establishment of the Confederacy and
the perpetuation of slavery. As it is. our
veterans have not only preserved the form
Of the American Union, but they have made
it, what it never was before, a harmonious
and homogeneous Union. Is it unnatural or
unreasonable, then, that these sayiors Of the
Republic should resent the disposition of
political parties to deny them their just
share in the administration of its affairs or
that stung by neglect, they should at last
demand that their wishes be consulted
Surely not; on the contrary, that is precisely
what they ought to do and what we hope
they viii do at the coming Chicago conven-
tions. Let them make their influence felt
there. Let the announcement go forth that
they viii accept nothing short of an out
and-out. true blue, soldiers candidate! And
finally, let them take the field in person and
be on hand at Chicago to compel the conven.
tons to face the issue.