The National tribune., 1885-06-25

Fraternity Means Something.

VETERANS RIGHTS UNION.
Fraternity Means Something.
"The object of this Union is, under the auspices
of the GA. r. to secure to those who served under
the Government of the United States during the
late war, the rights and privileges guaranteed to
them by sections 1854 and 1853 of the Revised Stat
utes of the United States" as also Section g. Chap
ter 2S7, Laws of 1876.
SEC. 1854. Persons honorably discharged from
the military or naval Service by reason of disab-
ity resulting from wounds or sickness incurred in
the line of duty, SHALL be preferred for appoint
ments to civil Offices provided they are found to
possess the business capacity necessary for the
proper discharge of the duties of such Offices"
SEC. g. Chapter 2S7, Laws of 1885, is in part as fol-
lows: y" Provided. that in making any reduction of
force in any of the Executive Departments, the
head of such Department SHALL retain those per-
sons who may be equally qualified who have been
honorably discharged from the military naval
service of the United States, and the widows and
orphans of deceased soldiers and sailors"
CoMRADE: How expressive the word to ears
attentive. How important in results if made
the key note of our efforts, each for the other,
united as in the years gone by in cOmradeship,
for principle and the Veterans rights.
Three years ago, the discrimination in ap-
pointments to and removals from Office and
employment under the Government as against
the veterans, in the city of New York, become
notorious. Political necessity" was assigned
as the cause for removals, and political serv-
ice was made the criterion by which men were
judged in their applications for employment
The empty sleeve the sacrifice of limb and
health in the army, the ability to successfully
perform the duties of the position for which
they were applicants, were not considered: an
honorable discharge from the military or naval
service by reason of disability resulting from
wounds or sickness incurred in the line of duty
was powerless to save when removal threatened,
and of no avail when necessity which knows
no law" made such men applicants for place in
when they were of some consequence as pOliti
cal factors; who could believe when the war
closed, that the veterans would be neglected or
forgotten; and told within 20 years, that the
soldier business was played OUT? This was
not the fault of the people, who have ever held
these men in grateful remembrance, because of
the benefits they EN- jOy as a result of the sacri-
fees made by the veterans, but it was the re-
suit of forgetting that Eternal vigilance is the
price of liberty" through which, those who
controlled in political life, assumed to own and
dispense as their personal property and per-
quisites public Office and employment, that
which the law intended and declared should
60 to those who, i'll the dark days of the war,
stood between the country and her dishonor
Not alone in this State, but everywhere
throughout the Union. the statute (Sec. 175i)
was entirely ignored. or through non-enforce-
ment became virtually dead letter.
Itwas under these conditions and the neces-
sity which existed that something should be
done, that the Veterans Rights Union was
called into existence through convention of
delegates from the Posts of the Grand Army in
this State, and that to-day it is thoroughly or
ganized in Pennsylvania and New York.
Our object is plainly stated and our declara-
tion of principles are
FIRST. We ask fair construction, consider
alton and enforcement of Section 1854, Revised
Statutes of the United States; and Sec. 3, Chap.
2S7, Laws Of 1876, Tin so far as itapplies, by all
who have the power of appointment or removal
under the Government, from the Executive
of the Nation down to the lowest subordinate
in authority whenever and wherever an ap-
plicant, employee or appointed officer comes
within the provisions of either of these laws.
SECOND. An amendment of the Statute Law,
SO that the preference therein contained shall
extend to- and cover, all those who were honor
ably discharged from the military or naval
service of the United States during the late war.
THIRD The establishment of Labor Bureaus
in all the large cities Of the land, to the end
that we can ask at the hands of the people for
the old soldier, such employment as they may
have to give and he be fitted for, thereby car
rying out the rec0mmendatory character of
Section 1855.
We will not 'ilate on the work which has been
done, nor mention those who have laborcd in
this worthy cause. Its results speak louder
this class of claimants, which was not the case
between the years 1865 and 1882.
But the work is not complete: To you, COM
radcs belongs rightful share in impressing
upon our membership spirit of true Frater-
nifty, which inculcates Charity, and then the
recompense Of our Loyalty will come. To help
the worthy needy, and destitute wards of our
Grand Army is sacred duty; 'to stand by
our comrades" he being right, though the
whole world assail him" is one of the tenets of
our faith. Let us demonstrate by our work that
we are. worthy Of the name of cOmrade.
While we hold i'm sacred remembrance the
memory of those who gave their lives on the
altar of orr country and discharge our full duty
by those who survive them, let US push for
ward solidly and unitedly, the electric touch of
the elbow still felt, to protect and defend,
against all who oppose, the rights and the privi-
leges which the law and grateful people in
tended should be given to those who defended
the flag.
While we have net from the beginning been
bound by State lines, but have determined that
VIC can say with Hamlet Pll fight them on
this theme, until my eyelids can no longer
wag," even if we fight alone until we gain the
victory, yet e realize that in Union only
there is strength, and while so much can be ac-
c0mplished by the few, what must result when
an advance is made along the whole line, and
together?
snd being bound by " ties that were welded in
the fire of BATTLE" will hesitate in rendering
assistance in protecting the rights of COM
rade?
We, therefore, earnestly urge upon all De-
partment officers, delegates to the National
Encampment, Post Commanders and the COM
rades of our Order everywhere that June "a
and 25 is the time, and the National Encamp-
ment at Portland, Me-, the place to extend
these lines SO that New York and Pennsylvania
with a membership of $1,000 will not stand
alone in fighting this battle, when We can mus
ter over 100000 men in defense Of the princi-
pies for which we contend.
By direction of the GAR. Veterans Rights
Union of New York.
c. HULL GRANT,
WALTER MATHIsON,
GEO. w. ROBERTS, Sub. Committee.
Jos. w. KAY,
THos. BELL,
Approved:
THos. B. ODELL, Chairman Gen. Com.
Tn Chosrv Ey