The National tribune., 1884-07-24
GEN. BEATH,s ADDRESS.

leroSy. IL not only presents coInpiete Spitomc
Of the growth and progress of the Order during
the past year but is full of wise and sagacious
counsel. It is not remarkable simply for its
polished diction. but for the candor and vigor
with which it discusses questions which virtu-
ally concern the welfare OF the Order. In
this admirable address the Commander-in-
Chief presents some terse and cogent argu-
ments IN favor Of exercising the influence Of
the Grand Army as a unit; and in regard to
the various pension measures proposed he is
at once explicit and emphatic. He very prop
erly defends and sustains the recommendations
| OF the Pension Committee of the Grand Army
to Congress, and ascribes the failure of Con-
! gress to adopt the recommendations of the
| Committee TO the unauthorized interference
of John A. Andrew Post, No Is, of Boston,
and others who have united with them in de-
manding the passage Of bill to pension all
soldiers without regard to whether or not they
are disabled and in need. Gen. Beath deals
with this violation Of the rules Of the Order
with becoming dignity and in calm dispassion-
ate manner, and takes care to point out the
| grieyousness of the error into which our COM
rades were thus led
In his treatment Of the pension question he
takes care to separate it into its component
parts, enumerating specifically those measures
of Justice which our soldiers and sailors, as
matter Of contract, have right to demand of
Congress, and those which, although in the
nature Of gratuities, it is sound policy on the
part of the Government to enact. He includes
among the former the arrears OF pensions bill,
equalization of bounty bill, the Cullom BILL and
the Robinson pension bill, each of which is
based, as he clearly shows upon contract OBJ
legation Of the Government. BE points out
too, that the payment Of these just claims viii
not, as many wild calculators have asserted,
bankrupt the Treasury or add to the burdens
of taxation He gives it as his opinion, on the
contrary, that these settlements, extending, as
they necessarily must, over series of years,
viii simply insure % the devotion Of part of
the surplus revenues to the payment of honest
debts long overdue" FavorinG service pen
sions as be does, as matter of public policy,
he frankly declares " it does not become those
who are suffering from 10 disability, and are
able to earn liying-those Of US whose proud
boast has always been that in raIlying to the
defense of our beloved country we were ami
mated by patriotic motives soleiy-tO demand
service pensions 50 long as any Of our COM
rades are in actual need by reason Of old age or
physical disability and are not in receipt of a
pension"
This is precisely the ground which THE
TRIBUxE from the first has held, and the only
one that was safe and sound. We believe, with
Gen. Beath, that before pensions are granted to
survivors Of the Union Army and Navy by
reason Of their service solely, the claims Of
those OF cur comrades who are actually in need
Of support should be fully satisfied.
We are glad also to note his earnest and fear
less assertion of the right of the members o.
the Grand Army as citizens to think and vote
as they please. He well says that the Grand
Army cannot be responsible for every indis
Greet utterance in the convention or on the
! stump.
As for the condition Of the Grand army al
the present time, as exhibited in his address i
? is clear that it was never in so fourishini
f q state before Il now numbers fully
$4,000 members, and while the gain during
the past year has not been as large as last year
( it has been substantial and satisfactory.
t As Cor the rumor that has been circulated
: concerning some iEregularity in regard to tht
: manufacture Of Grand Army badges. he set
that completely at rest by the statement of TIL
circumstances under which the necessary ma
terial has been secured for their manufacture
u We are glad TO observe, also, that be favor
: extending to our er-sailors equally with on
ex-soIdiers the benefits of all Soldiers Home.
and heartily approves and appreciates til
. work Of Wonans Relief Corps.
= His suggestion, too, that in every conn1unit
: the citizens generally should be frequentl
= invited to attend the Csmp-fres or open meet
ings is one Of great Importance and ought {
. be universally adopted.
In regard 70 Sons of Veterans, his position
q substantially that which The TRIBUNE la
= already taken, and we trust that steps wiz b
= taken by the Encampment to withhold il
'e approval from both Branches Of the Orde
miles, harmonious settlement of ezistin
. difficulties is speedily effected.
g As whole, the address is a most able expt
y sision Of the true principles upon which IL
N existence Of the Grand Army depends, an
70 thoroughly in accord, as we believe, with til
o. opinions and sentiments Of our comrades gen
= orally.
- During the past year Gen. Beath has lahore
10 faithfully and diligently TO increase IL
- strength and enlarge the Orders innuenc
and his efforts have been crowned with success
His successor, whoever be may be, win I'm
w. 1t difficult to surpass the record of this admin
a. tration, and Gen. Beath viii carry with bi1
l's upon retiring from the proud position whic
-e- he occupies, the gratitude Of the entire orde
SO because Of the brave. frank and outspok.
e. Manner in which he has maintained the JUST
al Of oar veterans claims upon the COVERINGS