The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-17
SOLDIERS. CHOOSE,

Chicago Convention had completed its work,
we expressed the opinion that the association
together, on the same ticket, of the names of
Blaine and Logan was most anspicious cir
cumstance, and calculated to fill the hearts of
our veterans with joy and satisfaction, yet we
urged them, nevertheless, to at once "turn
their attention to the choice Of candidates by
the Democratic Convention" and especially to
see to it that the issue was as clearly present.
ed and as great an influence cxerted there to
compel the recognition of their rights"
That convention has now completed its la
bcrs, and as the record of its action is before
the country, the time has come, it seems to us,
when every veteran in the land should calmly,
dispassienstely, and in the light of the most
accurate information he can obtain. decide for
himself which of the several parties and nomi-
nees ii is 10 the interest of himself and his fell
low-soldieIs tosupport in the approaching cam
paign and vote for at the Presidential election.
For our OWE part we may say that the ncmi-
nation Of Cleveland and Hendricks by the
Democratic Convention has made it easy for
Us TO come to a conclusion, and while we do
not take it upon ourselves TO dictate how any
individual soldier OF sailor should vote, save
only that he should be able to Justify his action
10 his reason and his conscience, we shall not
hesitate to plainly state the grounds OF that
conclusion
Why should TIE NATIONAL TRIBUNE ad-
vocate the election of Blaine and Logan, rather
than that Of Cleveland and Hendricks?
Let US first consider the character of the can
didates and their records The Presidential
nominee Of the Democratic party is compare
lively an obscure and unknown man. 1t is
true that he was identified with the Citizens
Reform movement in Buffalo a few years ago.
and became Mayor and finally Governor in
some praiserorthy things, yet the fact still re-
mains that he knows nothing of national af-
fairs and has displayed none of the qualities
that are requisite TO the satisfactory discharge of
Presidents duties. Aside, however, from his
unftness in this respect he is unworthy to fill
the Presidential chair by reason of his attitude
towards our ex-soldiers and the laboring classes,
in which our veterans are not ashamed to be
included We do not propose TO make the point
against him that when the country's very life
was men2ced and the Nation called for her sons
this ambitious youth, then in the early flush
Of manhood, was content TO remain st home
and unconcernedly pursue those law studies
which presently led to his first political APP
pointment His reasons for not seizing the OPP
portunity, which SO many Of our youthful
have been entirely creditable to him, but il
should not be forgotten that he must necessar-
ily be lacking therefore, In that acquaintance
with the principles involved In the war, and
that personal sympathy and regard for the men
who brought it to q triumphant close, that are
essential TO the administration of the Affairs OF
this Government in spirit of justice to our
veterans. 1t is true that at the dedication OF
the Soldiers Monument at Buffalo, on the 18th
of July. he made patriotic speech but unhap.
PLY for him, the record shows that as Governor
be vetoed number Of meritorious bills in the
interest Of our ex-soldiers and the Grand Army
and did equal injustice 20 the laboring classe,
of New York by refusing his assent to measures
intended to deliver the people from the CLUTCHES
of the elevated railroad monopoly. SO stancE
Democrat as Mr. Tilden even has admittec
this 70 be the fact. and ironically observed tha
Z he is very popular outside of his own State
The Chicago delegate who said Mr. Cleve
lands nomination was like taking the chance
Of iottery-it might be Moses and it nigh
be false proPhet-exactly expressed the opin
ion Of all sensible men. The truth is, tina
even by his own party he is looked upon a
an experiment, and as an ardent supporter o
the soldiers cause THE NATIONAL TEIBUNl
man 70 the Presidency whose devotion to tn
interests of our veterans has not been attestet
by deeds as well as words.
A very different sort of man IL Mr.. Blaine
The brave stand he made in the halls of Con
gress, in behalf Of the Union and to conserv
the fruits Of the Nations triumph over seces
sion, did much to deepen and broaden the
gratitude Of the country towards our OK soldier
and sailors. 1t was the voice of Blaine recit
ing anew in the face Of the rehabilitated sout
the story Of Andcrsonvillc that recalled 70 tn
Nation the horrible reality Of. the war snd il
own still gaping wounds But between
novice like Cleveland and statesman lik
Blaine 1: is absurd to institute any comparison
Ii is enough that the latter has openly asscrte
il a. his belief that too liberal policy could "a,
be used toDards tie veferaHs By thc Go0erRmcat"
Equally striking e. the contrast betwee
ex-Gov. Hendricks the nominee Of the Dems
cratic Convention for Vice President, and Ger
John A. Logsn--the one bitter opponent I
the prosecution Of the war from the very frs
and the latter a typical patriot, voluntaril
relinquishing his seat in Congress TO raise
regiment Of volunteers and take the field /