The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-12
attention to the present State platforms on Ais
REPUBLICAN, PLATFORM, 1888

attention to the present State platforms on shis
subject:
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM, 1886.
Lapse Of time does not weaken the gratitude due the
soldiers and sailors of the Union. We favor such
changes in the pension laws will make proof of
istment conclusive evidence of the physical sound
ness of the applicant, that will equaize allowances,
can be adiudicated in the Pension Office. We favor
the granting of a pension to every honorably dis
charged Union soldier and sailor suffering from
avoidable disability. We favor the granting of pen
sons to the survivors of the Mexican who not
laboring under political disability. The Legislature
should make liberal appropriation for the erection
OF soldiers and sailors monument at the capital of
the State. We favor the separation of the Soldiers
Orphans Home from the home for the feeble-minded
children.
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM, 1886.
Resolved That cordially approve the recent leg
isation of Congress giving Increased pensions the
widows and dependent parents of deceased so ldiers
and to soldiers who disabled in the Union arm
and we cordially approve all measures of legislation
In behalf of the soldiers of the Union army who suf-
fered in defense of their country and of their widows
and orphans.
Resolved That it is due to the memory of the brave
men of Indiana who their lives for the preserva-
ton of the government that suitable monument
should be erected at the capital of the State and for
that purpose ask of tho General Assembly liberal
appropriation.
There is world of difference between these
resolutions both in their text and in their spirit
Upon careful reading you will notice that the
Democratic platform is simply an ex post facto
approval of the pension laws already enacted,
and now on the statute books, and does not
pledge the Democratic party in any way to any
future action legislation upon the subject
matter of pensions. 1t is entirely non commit
tai. and negative in its character It, in fact,
means nothing Read it carefully, for your
selves and gee what you can make out of it.
The Republican platform gives forth no I'M
certain sound. 1t is full, and round, and gen
erous In its tones. 1t is not cold and meaning
less. It speaks in plain Saxon phrase. 1t favors
substantial amendments and improvements It
pledges the Republican party to future action.
1t favors making the proof of enlistment
conclusive proof of soundness and it favors the
pensioning of every Union soldier or sailor hav-
ing an honorable discharge, who is suffering
from unavoidable disability. 1t needs no an
alysis. 1t speaks for itself Put these platforms
together and compare them for yourselves.
In this connection, let us examine, briefly the
record of the present lower house of Congress,
which Senator Voorhees, described, in his open
ing speech at indianapolis the other day as
"a House OF Representatives, with an over
whelming Democratic majority, and largely COM
posed of ex-confederate soldiers" 1t is pleas
ure to me to find political statement nova and
then of the distinguished Senator's, the fairness
Of which can admit. The record shows that
sixty of the ex-confederate soldiers who
make up the overwhelming Democratic majority
in the House voted against the widows pension
bill, which increased the widows pension from
So per month to $12 Every Republican mem.
Der voted for the bill, and every vote against it
was a Democratic vote.
This Overwhelming Democratic majority in
the House also tried to make all further general
pension legislation impossible and odious 1t
attempted, by an amendment of the rules to
compel the embodiment OF specal-tax law in
every general pension bill, providing for the
payment OF the pensions One hundred and
thirty nine Democrats voted for it, and every
Republican member voted against it, Every
Democratic Congressman from Indiana voted
for it excepting Mr.. Ford, not votng) It's final
consideration was defeated by dilatory tactics on
the part of the Repu bcans, but it is still pend
ing in the House. It's passage will defeat all
further general pension legislation. If a
special tax bill, imposing new tax and
providing for its collection is to be made part
of every pension bill, it will make further GEN
eral pension legislation practically impossible,
because of the difficulties, distractions, embar-
easements and complications incident to new
tax laws and their collection machinery And
that was its intention and purpose It is new
and anomalous piece of legislation All other
bills providing for the expenditure Of money are
payable out Of the general revenue. Why make
a marked and odious discrimination against pen
sion bills.
Even the President of the United States with
willing helpfulness, reinforced the Democratic
House in its opposition to pension legislation by
the extraordinary and relentless use of the veto
power. Let it be remem bered that during one
session of Congress the President vetoed 10l
pension bills, and that he reluctantly permitted
154 other pension bills to become laws without
his signature. refusing to approve or sign
them. He has the bad pre-eminence of be-
ing the only President that ever vetoed
special pension BILL His pension vetoes equal
in the aggregate the whole number of vetoes of
all the Presidents before upon all subjects what
soever.
You will find it difficult matter to restrain
asSin Of IN hnnacf ind md dc
gust when you consider the offensive language
in which the President was pleased to write some
of these pension vetoes. It remained for the
present. president to be the first in his high office
who has found it consistent with it's dignity to
fill his veto messages with tests and sneers Ny
respect for that Office is so great that shall re-
frain from comment. contenting myself with
reading you the language of the President him
self in few of these extraordinary messages.
Mr. Holstein hero quoted from certain vetoes
extracts from which are given in the speech of
Senator Harrison, elsewhere printed, and which
are familiar to the people.
Remember, this is the exact language of the
PRESIDENT, In his messages to the Con gress Of the
United States 1t needs no comment It con-
dennis itself II is added proof of the truth that
''he jests at scars who never felt wound"
My comrades, smarting under the unjust CEN
sures OF the President, it is with pleasure l re-
call the generous and sympathetic words of our
first Republican President, the martyr Lincoln,
In the last address he ever made, his last words,
which seem to-day to be his benediction on u.s.
With malice toward none. with charity for all with
hrmness IN the right God gives see the right
let strive to finish the work we are in to bind up
the Nation wounds, to for him who shall have
borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan
to do all which may achieve and cherish Just and
lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations
Mr.. Chase at Edinburg.
Special to the Indianapolis JournaI,
EDINBURG, Oct 11.-Hon. Ira j. Chase, Re-
publican candidate for Congress In the Fifth
district addressed tonight, at Pruitt's Opera
house, one of the largest and most enthusiastic
audiences ever aSSamhlad hara Rannhli "a nc in