davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
PENSIONS FOR PRISONERS OF WAR.


There Is no class of soldiers of the
Union that deserve more of the generous
consideration of Congress- than those who
suffered Imprisonment in the slaughter
pens of the South. In spite of all that
has been said or written on the subject
the tenth part has not been told of the awful
hardships which they endured. Nothing
can ever be written or painted that will ap-
proach giving an adequate idea of the hor-
rors of Andersonville, Salisbury, Florence
and Camp Ford, from June, 1864. to April.
1865.
Even the records of the War Department
completely fail in giving any idea Of the
terrible mortality. The number of graves
in certain National Cemeteries afford the
readiest means of showing how grossly i'm
perfect the War Departments rolls are. For
example, the War Departments figures show
that 29,725 prisoners died while in captivity.
When we look over the table of graves IN
the different National Cemeteries we find
the following reports from those where pris-
ons existed:
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

THE rumor that Minister Pendleton and
his wife are much dissatisfied with Berlin
has a deeper significance than any mere
personal tastes of our amiable Minister and
his cultivated wife. The underlying fact is
that the German Government envies and
hates this country, and neglects no oppor-
tunity to snub and affront US. 1t made
things so unpleasant that Minister Sargent,
who preceded Mr.. Pendleton, had to ask to
be recalled, and Mr.. PendletOn will doubt
less have to do the same thing. The question
is, how long our Government will continue
to submit tameiy to this studied incivility.
Many Government has gone to war for less
reason than was given us by the exclusion
of our hog products, but we pocketed the
insult without protest. We hope that Mr..
Cleveland's Administration will not be so
meek
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
A MUGwUMP OPINION.

The Boston Advertiser is another one of
those papers which claim to exclusively
represent the "culchah" of the "uppah
classes" and regards the workingmen, SOL
diers and such as merely existing for the
comfort and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the aforesaid
"uppah classes" This is what it had to say
in reference to Secretary Lamar's report:
Secretary Lamar's declaration in favor of liberal
pensions to the veterans of the Union army, which
we have already quoted, is more creditable to his
heart and his patriotism than to his intelligence
and good Judgment. He says that, as long as the
annual payments of interest on the National debt
exceed the payments for pensions, the country
could not complain that too much is done for those
who fought Last year the payments of interest
on the public debt were S5l,O00,000. and the pay
ments for pensions $50 100000. 1t would appear
that his rule had already ceased to apply In fact,
there IS nothing IN common between the two kinds
of payment which makes such comparison of any
value. The Nation must pay the interest on its
debt or be forever dishonOred IL is contract en-
gagement. The Nation paid the soldiers their
wages according to the terms of enlistment. Pen
sions are a generous gratuty and the iberality of
the Nation in this particular has been munfcent
beyond anything before known in the history of
the world.
The AdCertiser convicts itself. The posi-
tion of Secretary Lamar rests on the sound
est basis of justice. The pension money
paid the men who saved the Nations life is
a debt of even more sacredness than the ill.,
terest upon the money lent to sustain the
Nation in the same trOublOus times. 1t is
a debt that cannot be repudiated without
deepest dishonor. If it had not been for
the self-sacrifice and patriotism of the men
who are receiving the PENSIONS the prop
erty of the bondholders would not be worth
the paper it is printed on, and instead of
their having got S2205, ,O19, 1919 in inter-
est, they would not have got any more than
did the holders of those Confederate bonds
which are used to paper the walls of South
ern houses.
In no sense are the pensions "a generous
gratuity." The assumption that such is the
case is an insult. 1t is humiliating pa
trOnization from an aristocrat, who assumes
that everything that those less richer than
himself get is a largess from his own purse.
Pensions to disabled soldiers were as much
a part of the contract as interest to the bond
holders, and it is downright dishonesty to
deny them.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
ESTABLISHED 1879
PUB LIS H ED EEKLY.
One Dollar per Year,
Invariably i'm Advance.
eix months, s5 cents. No subscription for q
less period received.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
1879

MONEY sent sIs otertciSe than by registered letter
postal notes, postal money order, draft on Ner
York, 'riu be at The risk Of The sender.
AGENTS-He employ agents. THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE has many volunteer cunrdSsers, and they
are generally honest and faithful but persons scho
cofde their subscriptions TO them must be their ocn
Judges Of their responsibility The paper sp:H be sent
only on receipt Of the subscription price.
ADDRESSES RENEWALS. Ec-Addresses triH
be changed often desired, bat each subscriber
should an euery girc the Old tceu address
In rene,ring. subscribers should be cdref send the
label on the last paper receiued and specify any
Tections changes they desire made iis dd-
dress
CORRESPONDENCE.-COr IS solicited
from, eUery section in regard TO Grand ArD1y. PEN
sion, Military, Agricultural Industrial and Household
matters. and letters to the Editor tcu GltUdyS receiue
prompt attention. Write on ONE SIDE fthe paper
only We do not return communications manu-
scripts unless they accompanied 6y request 10
that effect and the necessary postage, and Snder
circumstances guarantee their publication a! any
special date.
Address all communications TO
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
Washington, ID. C.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
DO NOT

Let your subscription expire. Examine the
number on the address with your name, and
compare it with the Whole No." in the date
line of the paper. This will show you how
near your time is to being out. For example,
the "Whole No" of this issue is 227. If the
number on your address slip is 240 you have
three months to go yet, but if it is 226 your
time will be out next week. 1t is very neces-
sary in this case that you renew at once,
so that you do not miss any of the important
matters which the coming issues will con-
tain. The near approach of the opening of
Congress makes it doubly important that you
do not miss single number.
The National Tribune Costs Only 7too Cents
Q Week.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
A CHANCE TO MAKE MONEY

Requests are coming in so rapidly for
agencies to sell that thrilling war romance,
Capturing Locomotive" that ere long all
the territory will be taken up. so those wish
ing to engage in the work had better not de-
lay. Any energetic person can make hand
some profit by engaging in the work of can
wasting for the book, as it finds ready sale
wherever it is introduced. Send to The
NATIONAL TRIBUNE Publishing Co. for
terms to agents
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
THE RED ACORN.

The unlocked for demand for Mr. John
McElroy's charming war romance, "The Red
Acorn" has entirely exhausted the edition, but
another is now in preparation, and will be ready
for distribution by the time this paper reaches
the subscribers. We shall then be enabled to
fill the many orders now waiting. The price
OF the book, which every veteran should have, is
only 81. We should advise those desiring a copy
TO send at once, as from our experience with
the last edition we predict rapid sale for the
following one.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

The number of pension certificates issued
during the week ending Dec. IA, 1885, was
as follows: Original, 500; increase, 722
reissue, 81 !; restoration, 8; duplicate, 81
accrued, g. Act of March 8, 1888, 4; Order
April 3, 1884, Is; Act of March 3, 1886, Is;
total, ], ,723
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
MRS. sHERwoOD,s POEMS.

This collection of war poetry would certainly
prove most acceptable Christmas gift for an
old veteran, and those contemplating sending
a souvenir to a friend could hardly find more
elegant one, especially when the low price is
considered. The price of the book neatly
bound in cloth is 81 or handsomely bound in
cloth and gold 81 80
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
GEN. GRANTS NEW BOOK.

We have secured few copies of the first
volume of Gen. Grants Personal History"
written by himself, which we will send to
any address, postage paid, on receipt Of $3.50.
This will accommodate those who are out
of reach of the canvassers, or desire the book
before canvasser can reach them.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
TO CLUE RAISERS.

We allow those who are raising clubs,
with the view Of obtaining a premium, to
send on the names as fast as they secure
them; but they will save US much incon-
venience if they will say in each letter that
they desire the names they send to be cred
tied to them, so that when they get the re-
quired number they can obtain a premium.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
"FAGOTs FROM THE CAMPFIRE

The Charleston NeWs and Courier says of this
book:
Its description of scenery and people and modes
of life in East Tennessee. Northern Georgia and
Alabama, and of the morals and manner OF think
ing of the people and soldiers of the South and of
the relations of these to the negroes indescrlb
ably attractive The adventures and desperate
deeds of rebel scouts and bushwhackers (native
fighting ioyalisS) constitute fascinating chapters in
this unique volume.
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE PUBLISHING Co.
will send the book to any address, postage paid,
on receipt OF so cents.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
OPINIONS ON GRAND ARMY RULES.

BY PAST CoNMANDER-IS-CH n. B. BEATH
tNoTIcE-Inquiries on Grand Army matters Of
general interest and proper for publication will be
answered in this column by Past COmmandeT-in-
Chief Beath. 1t will be of course understood that
such answers are simply personal or in the way Of
advice which one eomrade may properly give an
other. Questions requiring official answers must
be submitted to the proper authorities.
Is DISCRETION 4 BAR TO MEMBERSHIP
Comrade Fenian asks if a soldier who enlisted in
1861 re-enlisted in 1853 received tine veteran bounty
and deserted in 1864, not afterwards returning to
duty. Is eligible to membership; and if such a one
is already member, should he be dropped from
the rolls.
In the case stated the person is clearly ineligible
to membership in the Grand Army of the Republic
Ii such one has been admitted to membership
the Post must have been grossly negligent of the
requirements of the Rules. His muster-in is void
and the facts should be at laid before the De-
partment Commander for the necessary orders in
his case
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

THE friends of soldiers in Congress have
opened the campaign admirably, with a
number of excellent pension bills, which
are enumerated in our Congressional report.
We shall discuss these at length in next
weeks paper.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
81 AND TBE DOCTORS.
He Joins the Pale Procession at Sick
Call.

81 Klegg was a good specimen Of healthy,
robust HOosier lad-for he could scarcely be
called man yet. Since he lay in his cradle
and was dosed with paregoric and catnip tea
like other babies, he had never seen sick day,
except when he had the mumps on both
sides" at once He had done all he could to
starve the doctors
When the 200th Ind. took the field it had
the usual outfit of men who wrote their names
sandwiched between a military title in front
and IN. D." behind, big hospital tent and
an apothecary shop on wheels, loaded to the
guards with guinine, blue mass, castor oil, ep-
som salts, and all other devices to assuage the
sufIerings of humanity.
The boys all started out in good shape. and
there had been hardly time for them TO get
sick much yet. So up to this stage of the regi-
ment's history the doctors had found little to do
but issue arnca and salve for lame legs and
bistered feet, and strut around in their shiny
uniforms
But there came day when they had all they
could attend to. On going into camp one after
noon the regiment being well in advance
struck big leld of green corn and an orchard
of half-ripe apples. Of course the boys sailed
in, and natural consequences followed
Now this is somethn' like!" said ST. as he
squatted on the ground along with Shorty and
half n dozen messmates. They surrounded a
camp-kettle full of steaming ears. and half .
bushel or so of apples heaped on a poncho.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
THE GAR. WATCH.

THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE will send free
to every person sending 10 new subscribers
an elegant nickel, stem-winding watch in
closed in neat satin-lined case. This watch
is thoroughly reliable timepiece, and will
give as much satisfaction as one costing many
times the money.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
CLUB RAISERS.

The good friends of THE NATIONAL TRIB-
UNE in various parts of the country who
have made little effort to extend the
papers circulation, and SO increase its USE
fulness to the soldier, have had good luck.
They are sending in clubs gratifying in
numbers and size. The list of yesterday
is headed by II. A. Folk, of Altoona, Pa,
who sends in 40 new subscribers. In the
accompanying note he says:
/ got the first number of your paper about a
month ago 1t pleased me much that de-
termned to get you what subscribers l could.
The club send you is smaller than hoped for,
but have been SO busy that could not get around
among the boys much.
Comrade Folk was one of three brothers
who were in the army. They were all
wounded. He and one brother We're in Co.
d. 45th Pa, and the other was in the 14Sth
Pa.
Next in order comes Comrade Charles M.
Short, of Rossville, Ind, who sends us 10
subscribers, and says he will send more in a
few days
Comrade A. Davis, of Astoria, Ore, fol-
lows with II new subscribers, whom he Sc
cured in three days.
Other successful club-raisers for the week
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
A DICTIONARY FOR A NEW sUBsCRIBER.

We have received small let of a very neat
and handy little pocket dictionary CWorces-
ter's). 1t is just the thing for child to take
to school or for a clerk, teacher or letter writer
to have lying on his desk. We will send one
postpaid TO any subscriber who is now on our
books who shall send us a new subscriber.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

So FAR, the money returns from the Ger
man Colonial policy have been discourag-
ingly small. The only things that the Ger
mans have been able to sell in Africa are
brandy and gunpowder, and there are no
signs of any increase in this trade.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

THE reception Of the Presidents Message
by the press of the country was unusually
fattering. The ones who complain most
about it are the woman suffragists, whom it
never mentions
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
ALWAYS MENTION.

Those who desire premiums should not
fail to mention the fact, with every list
of names they send in. This will prevent
mistakes and aid us in keeping the account.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
COUNTERSIGN.

Conrnde o. G. B. proposes the following: Is il
proper Tor a Post Commander 10 communicate the
countersign to any eomrade not a member of his
Post. upon a letter from the Commander of the
comrades Post, stating that he is in good Standing
There is no authority in the Rules and ReguIa-
tions, or any decision thereon, which covers this
point. l should say that no Commander would be
justified in so communicating the eountersign to
any one not y member of his Post Provision is
made for reobigatng eomrade on reinstatement,
who may reside at distance from his Post but
even this requires special detail from Department
Headquarters.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

100000 people, all told, in Cuba and Porto
Rico. These are generally exceedingly poor,
more than half being ex-slaves. They have
few wants, and if they bought from US every
yard of cloth, every gallon of oil, and every
pound of food they consume their trade
would still be of less importance than that
of an average New York or Pennsylvania
County. Therefore it would be the hight of
unwisdom to sacrifice all that was proposed
to be sacrificed by the treaty to get results SO
insignificant.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
MRS. sHERWOOD'S POEMS.

Every member of the WOman's Relief
Corps should have copy of Mrs. Sherwood's
poems as Christmas present from her best
friend
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

PAST CONIMANDER-IN-CHI KoUNTZ's
OPINION.
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE is the best SOL
dier paper published, and l would rejoice to
see its circulation reach alf.millon.
JOHN S. KoUNTz.
Toledo o., Oct IL, 1885,
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
FINE PICTURES
OF
GRANT, SHERMAN, AND SHERIDAN,
For Subscribers to The National
Tribune.

We have received so many inquiries from
our readers as to where they could obtain
good portraits of the old commanders for
their parlors or Post rooms, that we have
decided to publish some fine portraits that
would be artistically equal to the finest
pictures made by any one, and yet sell at
price which would place them within the
reach of all. We have Published three so
tar-Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan. They
are all magnificent likenesses, and have re-
ceived the most emphatic Endorsement of the
families and intimate friends. Weguarantee
them to give entire satisfaction to every ad-
mirer of those distinguished soldiers They
are full size-19x24 inches-and printed on
fine plate paper. Very much inferior pic
lures have usually sold at 81, and it is very
rare indeed that anything approaching them
In goodness has been offered to the people as
low as 75 cents. But we will furnish them
to subscribers to The NATIONAL TRIBUNE
at the following very low figures:
ANY one of the portraits % cents.
ANY one of the portraits and THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE for one year $1.15
All three of the pictures and THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE for one year S1.40
We pay postage and all expenses on the
pictures at this Office, so their net cost to the
subscriber will be the figures given above
The pictures will be sent inclosed in
heavy paste-board tube, so that they will
reach the subscriber in the best condition.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

stir themselves to build up the papers cir
culation it can be placed in a position where
soldier
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
STILL ANOTHER OFFER.

Anyone who is at present a subscriber to
the paper and will send US new subscriber
will receive postage-paid anyone of the pic
lures that he may choose. If he sends two
subscribers we will send him any two of the
pictures he may choose, and for three new
subscribers we will send all three of the pic
lures to the old subscriber who secures them
for us. This is chance of getting these fine
pictures by merely asking ones neighbors
to subscribe for The NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
The National tribune., 1885-12-17
The NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. DECEMBER IL, 1855.
General Sherman on The Tribune.

General Sherman on The Tribune.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Z. s.,
WASHINGTON, ID. c.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE
From the nature of the articles published
in the numbers of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
sent me, i observe that it is published in the
interest of the soldiers of the civil war. In
this you have my hearty sympathy, and /
will enGeavor in my own sphere OF action to
cooperate with you in all practicable meas
ures to that end, without money and with
out price. With great respect,
Your obedient servant.
w. L. SHERMAN
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

This shows what can be done for The Ma
TIONAL TRIBUNE when an effort is made
Every friend of the paper can do as well as
these have if they will only try. If every
one who wishes the old soldier well would
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

ii. NJ. Field Brandon, Vt. 10
Alex Guyatt, Lycoming n. N.Y..................... IL
Mrs. Rebecca johnson, FELTON,, Cal............. 12
j. b. Niman, Mansfield 10
VIM. L. Rugg, Arena n. IL
A. Stanard Wellington, O-....................... 12
George W. Nash. Newark Ind.................... Ind 10
j. II. Whitaker, McConnesville, O................ IL
J. o. Burton, Flora IL
ii. IL. Hushench, Toronto O..................I IL
j. G. Version, Stanberry, Mo....................
August Kissell, Theresa, n. .Y...................
-. McCurtrie Amsterdam n Y 26
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

Git II long right smart, you'll be left be hind.
Fall in fer yer ipecac!" shouted the Or
derly of Co. Q. 81 joined the procession and
went wabbling up to the doctors" shop. He
The National tribune., 1885-12-17

Here we have absolute, unquestioned
graves of S,2s3 more dead prisoners than the
War Department has on its rolls, and yet
we have no report-nor has the War Depart
ment-of any deaths at the following i'm
Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-05-01

MANNED a sirl fer general koS.se work -
w IS ALs1 streeL. cor. ef Co1r stIest Ars- +
Il. oos-arlc1
w .I ;. fss ;s,. .ass l,ss ss, 70 49,. '-s .
FlrlitaFe ro9uls. Z. Asterioo ~. n A. berkes
MANNED Al ONCE w. r,ouas. fatussl.s.i
wv fsr as-tt hl.l.-e- as,f.Ils Ust q e. zl-d
llcaflen. Private resl 1esos pTefsErsso .Ad3Fves
haeaa- tsinsAtz 1naoe.
DOAkDIN1 -tso..l b..ard Aaa pleasant r,..aas
= furnlsl4es ~ unr1rul-h-d 18th isrsst cio1sL
T. q i.rlsals lsl4ug. Ao1rees =. care n tarrter
MANNED A gartHer IN Fognsirs 4nd
wv Aarhius SHOP A zone y VI iIG ~ Invest
I'D LhaI sind If fsls ue~s would DO seh fu csi. ou
rr.r N iii -eil aae half Interest cheap f0r par
ticaiars enquire ~ +. ". Toner. rouu q .
Ixombsg block uFaLd epld- Mich, or s3-
drezs A. A. Toner hoskfura Mica. l4
NlIAATED-A good girl Inquire 81 the Lunn
Wv HoGsss Monroe stre~si. lu4-z-
kAIANrED. A sober and intelligent man with
wv aDeut 80 capital % take sn interest. WITH
or ~lfhout sertlces. no q promising enteFprlss.
A practical printer preferred Address tioo1 IN
seetment. care Morning Telegram. lA
kAJANIED- A feW more bserisr- a. the Wind
wv s0r Dining Hall. IL M0nroe street Tue
only Monroe street restaurant ou the ground noor
kAIANrED- hai the lasiies of Grand Rapids
wv should know the bet place % get Spnng
suits cut aud made II al Mime. heloggt School
Of Dress Cutting. = Monroe street
Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-05-01

These Low Prices Tell the Story.
Good Calicoes, &c ana 4c.
Good Crash Toweing, &c and &c.
Good yard-wide Brown Cotton, 4c, &c,
&c, &c and Sc.
Good Bleach Cotton, &c, DC, &c, &c, sc,
&c and Zoe
Ginghams, 8, &c, Sc, and upward.
Wide and fine printed CanIbrics at Sc,
l0c and l215c.
Linen Lawns, l21sc, l5c, 20c and De.
Beautiful Satines, 25c.
Fine Scotch Ginghams, 2Oc
Brocade Dress Goods, &c, &c, &c and
121sc.
Table Linen, 15c, 19c, pc, 25c, 2Sc and
3Oc.
Linen Towels for &c, Sc, &c, lie, BE, I5c
lSc and bic.
White Dress Goods from &c, 7c, &c, Zoe
and upward
We are closing ont "a large lot OF fine
plaid Cambrics for ~ Sc, worth from Do
TO 35c. These are the cheapest We have
ever seen.
SPRING & COMPANY.
Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-05-01

NAMED .irl foT soasFai ko1sse work 81
w IS ALsa street. cor. ef Cogrt stIe<E. Ars I
h. lso.s3rlch
Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-05-01

SO pieoes of new and desirable SILK
fsbnos from tie great Auction Sale
closed cat b. heavy lmp4Tter are nov
Oh sale bs us al tie lowest prioes ever
known Ia the history ~ tie Dry Goods
trade the prices are indeed perfectly
wonderful, and are attracting the greatest
attention of any sale We have ever offered
Look al the prices.
Black Silk 6lkr. worth 9lc
Black silk 69c. worth Sl.00,
Black Six 75c. worth SllO
Black SILK sac, worth 81
Black Silk SllO worth S140
Black SILK SL25, worth Sl.75
Black SILK Sl50 worth S2O0
Black SILK Sl75. worth $3.50.
Black Silk g O0. worth s275.
Blabk SILK . %, worth S300
Summer Silks for 35c, 39c, 45c, 5Oc, 55c,
6Oc, 65c, Csc, 75c.
Colored Gros-Grain Silks selling for
Csc, Toe. Soc, 95c
Brocade Satins from 75c, Sc, SI.O0
Sl.25, SL50, SL75, S20
Brocade veivets
In colOrs and black, combining most
beautifully with all the new and desira-
bile shades III Satins, Merveilleux, Rhad-
emes, Surrahs, Satins, Duchesse, etc,
etc. SPRING & COMPANY.