The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-08-27

sary- We thank you. gentlemen that TO those
who already have, if you do not give more, as
least you do not take away even what little
they do possess
a few sentences to the powers that be
Breathed soft as the whispers of evening
And balmy as breezes in June.
We do not crave mixed Boards-two Demo-
Gratis and one Republican. or rice-Usrsa-unless
the Democrats are old Federal soldiers, and
know how it is themselves. The writer may
have occasion to prayerfuiy request to be saved
from the mercies of his friends; for he was in
the Union army, and was then, as he is now, a
Democrat. He loves the Union ROW. as he did
then, above all party considerations, and his
country owes him, with thousands of others
many of whom are of the same political ElifiI,-
a debt of gratitude, as well as debt for rsIn-
ages to health incurred while in the iiae Of
duty"
Give us Democratic Boards by all means. or
| leave the old incumbents in. The Republicans
were very naughty on occasion. especially DUR
| ing the gloomy days of J. A. Bentleys Pru5rct-
| crate, when every Examining Beard was star
chamber, and when every pensiOner and appli-
| cant for pension were subjected to q persistent
and servile espionage. The Democrats car do
no worse, and we trust will do mucn better;
| but, between the two in mixed Boards "a be-
tween the upper and the neither millstOneS wa
| poor devils may be ground 10 powder. We de-
/ sire to hold somebody, or some party, resp nSi-
and the alliance will ignore all party a.'j:ia-
tions inimical to the Interests of the UninH SOL
| der. We disclaim an interest less than other
people, and a financial consideration is as pow
erful in its destinations to the old crippled and
discarded veteran as Office TO the insatiate pOi-
tician, or wealth and eminence to the mp:bid
monOpOlist or bloated United States iDnd-
holder; and when the honored servants o. 5his
noble Government deprieate our claims 20 = H.
eral compensation for patriotism and Sacr: c,-;,
we propose TO change our base and fight u 9us
on that line if it takes four or eight years
mugwumps no mugwumps.
There are, perhaps, a million of old soldiers
| still living, who have million of wives iu-
Guiding the widows, with ali average Of i've
patriotic progeny to the family; and the.s
five millions are either married or will do -.
Every old soldier will perhaps have one fT;cn1
and confident whom If necessary. he can in
duce to vote for the interests of the soldier.
Then they and their wives will. perhaps, have
brother or sister each, and some both who
will take an interest in favorable legislation for
the veteran. And you may be certain tbat the
influence of all these persons will never be-
against the brave men who have proved their
| loyalty and devotion by their bravery and f.
deity, and when we remember how nearly
| equal the two great parties are, numerically
| and otherwise, as demonstrated during the last
Presidential contest, we realize with Il senSa-
ton akin to satisfaction that the soldiers hold
the balance of power by at least a million,
| and most aSSuredly they viii always consider
| the party in the aScendency on cOmmitnent
| for the righteous manipulation OF an indefinite
/ trust
! But as tomorrow is Sunday. and as the
scribe has ascertaned that he is to have biscuits
and coffee for breakfast, he feels somewhat
| modified, and gracefully submits his mental
| eyolutiOns to the affectiOnate judgment OF his
whilom comrades in-arms.-SCALPEL.