The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-13

To My Comrades the Union yetrans of the late ar:
New YORK CITY Oct l. 1884

To My Comrades the Union yetrans of the late war:
New YORK CITY, Oct l, 1884.
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
I found the Democratic national committee
unwilling to make an official declaration on this
subject, although, bearing very kind introduce
tory letter from Gen. Collins, of Boston, | re-
ceived the utmost personal courtesy.
1 have no doubt, however, that my brother
war-D Democrats of the Union forces in whose
brave hands the flag was always safe will speak
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 All expression aud it is herewith presented
to you
/ 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 solcitude 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 princi-
are the stars above the eartL L suggest that we
assemble together in mass convention at Indian
apolis Ind, Thursday, Oct. "a, at II O'clock
NJ, and there discuss this question in a selfre
specting temperate and patriotic spirit, and
choose q 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 may be deemed just. 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 amended pension law as will appeal
to the fair, candid and generous judgment of the
country at large, and secure for it popular sup
port. Let this convention be, in the broadcast
sense, representative of all Union veterans re-
gardess of party, creed, color. rank or soldier
society organizations, none of which latter con-
tain ajority of the Union soldiers and sailors.
To this meeting all comrades, whether mem
bers Of the G. 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 O time as the present-shortly be-
fore important elections-the public sense is
alert, sympathetic and responsive. 1t is, of all
times, the fittest to test the merits of any public
measure.
1t has been usual for such call as this to
bear the names of many distinguished generals,
but the present occasion seems so clearly to de-
mand expression from the great body of vet
Grams themselves, not from few leaders, that
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 conven-
ton.
All who approve this movement are requested
to Immediately communicate the fact to me at
the Sturtevant House, New York city, that roll
of names may DO prepared and published which
shall command the respect Of the entire country.
f. w HASKELL.