The National tribune., 1884-05-15
Tie way TO Do lido It.

physically from the effects Of their military
service; many more are in destitute cir
cumstancss, and still larger number, per-
haps, are just able to earn livelihood, and
no more; but, whatever their condition,
they all have votes. 1t is true, also, that
they are not generally regarded as an i'm
portant factor of our voting population, and
that phrase has even become current
among the politicians to the effect that the
soldier is played out" Yet the fact still
remains that at the election for President
next November it win be within their power
to cast one million votes enough if coneen-
trated on one candidate to control the re-
suit of the balloting. In other words, our
ex-soldiers hold the balance of power.
So long as they hold that balance of power
it is possible for them to exact that recogni-
ton of their rights at the hands Of Congress
and the Government to which their sery-
ices in behalf of the Union entitle them.
1t is their own fault if they do not WELD it.
Railroad, banking, and manufacturing in
terests never hesitate to sacrifice allegiance
to party whenever it is to their advantage
to do so, and our ex-soldiers could long ago
have secured the enjoyment of all their
rights under their contract with the Gov
eminent had they been shrewd enough to
enter into a political combination for that
purpose. They are wiser now. They real
ize that they have been duped by the delu-
siye promises of politicians and misled by
the empty phrases Of party platforms, and
we dare say that if it were within their
power to turn back the hands of time they
But the past cannot be recalled, and the
question for orr ex-soIdiers at the present
day to consider is how they can exercise to
the best advantage the influence which they
still possess. Now, we take it for granted
the head of this Government man who,
whatever his politics, viii see to it that in
nation is made against the soldier; that sec
ton 1854 of the Revised Statutes, which
prefers him in appointments to civil Office,
is rigidly enforced and that the execution
of the pension laws is confded to some one
hon ho fo1 10 !,
intent and purpose 4 harsh experience
has demonstrated the fact that upright, pa
triotic men are needed in the executive as
well as the legislative branch of the Gov
eminent How are such men to be had?
Clearly the first thing to do is to insure the
nomination by both parties of candidates
who will truly and faithfully represent the
soldiers interests. Both political parties
viii soon hold their nominating conven-
tions at Chicago. The delegates to these
conventions. many of whom have already
been chosen, will determine the character of
the tickets to be put before the voters It
is plain, therefore, that upon them our ex-
soldiers must bring their influence to bear
to procure the desired result They should
be made to understand that our veterans do
not propose to vote blindly this year, and that
to make sure of the latter's support they must
consult the latters wishes. There is scarcely
congressional district in the whole North
where the soldier vote is not an important
| factor in the balloting, and if the delegates
from each district to the Chicago conven-
tions are brought TO realize that this vote
is an uncertain quantity in their calcu-
! lations they viii not fail to heed its admo-
nitions. Moreover, our ex-soIdiers should
make point of attending these conventions
| in person, so far as possible, in order by
their presence to show that they are deter
mined not to be ignored. They have right
| to be heard there, and they should refuse to
be put off again with promises. Let once
the idea get abroad that our veterans axe
determined to make this soldiers year.
and Will not be SATISFIED with aught save
soldiers candidate, and the politicians who
now affect indifference viii be quick to ac-
commodate themselves to the situation.
As for candidates, there is no lack of good
material in either party. Among Republi-
cans the soldiers will instinctiyely turn to
such men as Logan, Sherman and Manderson,
as to whose fidelity to the interests of our
veterans there is no more question than as
to their political faith; while as for Demo-
cratic candidates any soldier would be salts
fed with such man as Rosecrans, Sloeum,
or Rice, of Ohio, OF many others that We
might name. The fact is that there is plenty
of sound and available presidential timber
in both parties without going outside of the