The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-09-03
GEN. JOHN c. BLACK.
His Comrades Throuhg govt the Country Come
to His Defense.


to His Defense.
To THE EDITOR: heartily agree with G.. T.
Gould, of Chicago, and T. B., of Brooklyn. Ny,
in regard to Gen. Black. Some of Us who live
in the (sO-called) wild West were in the service
with Gen. b., even soRe of his own regiment
There are citizens in our young city-James
Bradford, a banker and prominent man aud
our City Marshal, J. B. Carsan-who affirm hs
receives none too much pension for the suffer-
lnSs they know he has endured, and thcv are
not IN political sympathy with him either,
The galoot who writes under nom de pI,tBas
trying TO defame the character of our worthy
and so far as tried, efficient Hon. Commissioner
of Pensions, if his true character were known
we venture was rebel sympathiZer or q stay
at-hOme speculatOr; most likely such as 'Thos.
A. Strider spoken of in Uncle Daniels StnrvD
Gen. Black cannot be injured in the estimation
of the comrades of the GAR, and those espe-
cially who were with him in the service by an
unknown defamer who is afraid to use his
name. He knows every word he has written
about Gen. 3. to be false, not having one -,rain
of foundation in fact. For this reason he writes
behind screen.-H. c. GRIFFITH, Alma. >gb.
To THE EDITOR: The letter written by
Gen. Black to a friend very mildly expresses
his sufferings during the war. | know whereof
l speak, as L was member of his regiment,
and served through the entire war being finally
man, was a true and undaunted soldier and
has been done great wrong by many who DO
not know the facts in the case. If we had mora
Gen. Blacks we would have been better off
Gro. E. GRIFFITH, QuaFtermaster Sergeant,
37th ILL.,, Des Moines Iowa.
To THE EDITOR: l concur in the remarks
made by L. B., Brooklyn, y. Y, in regard to Gen.
Black, and think he is the right man in tha
right place. Probably some conrade will say
at first glance at this letter that | have Just
received a pension from him; but such is not
the case, as my claim for pension has been re-
jected. But that is no reason that should ira
duce the character of as true member of tho
GAR as ever breathed. That ] was Justly
entitled to a pension believed as sure as there
is God in Heaven, and do not doubt that the
General would have allowed my claim it the
laws were different; but he did not make them,
and is only following the rules and regulations
governing pensions. Although an offensive
partisan" l think Gen. Black means to put
broad Interpretation on the laws governingpen-
sions, and that when Congress assemblies hs
will recommend that some of the little technical
tiles be done away with.-EDwARD WILLIS, Co.
G, 62d n. Y. (Anderson's Zouaves), Neither
wood, NJ J.
To THE EDITOR: Several parties have of late
been assailing Gen. Black on account of his re-
ceiving large pension from the Government.
lt does seem very unreasonable and unjust.
Gen. Black was a good soldier; in fact there
were none better. He was badly wounded, and
the Government, according to his disabilities,
gave him a pension. Gen. Black was pensioned
before he was appointed to the office he now
holds, and instead of grumbling because he re-
ceived so good an Office, we ought to rejoice
that we got so good man for the position
one who knows how to sympathize with the
sufferings of his comrades. President Cleveland
has made some bad appointments, it is true; but,
comrades, Gen. Black is not one of them. 1t is
true, Gen. Black is a Democrat, and in that We
differ with him, many of Us, but if ever a man
had perfect right to his own opinions (which
all admit) Gen. Black has. In fact, / for one
believe that " to the yictors belong the spoils.'
and Democratic Administration should be
held responsible only for the acts of its Demo-
cratic officers. Therefore, out with the Repub-
icans and in with Democrats. and let US be
thankful especially for such good Democrats as
Gen. Black. An honorsbly- discharged disabled
Union soldier should be preferred by all right
thinking people. In this State, where Gen.
Blacks home is, where he is well known, all
men of all parties honor him, and are tired Of
attempted abuse. EDMUNDs, Adjutant, Post
No. 461, EdwardsYille, Ill.