National Republican., 1886-08-03
A PLEA FOR THE GRAND ARMY.
Objections to the Veterans Rights
Union Hore.

Union Hore.
wish TO submit the following for con-
sideration Of thoughtful Grand Army men.
A new organization here, composed OF
members of the Grand Army, claims to be
an "auxiliary" Of that great society. 1t has
some right TO that claim mo doubt, from the
sanction given It by the national encamp-
ment AZ Portland last year, which sanction
many others besides myself think wasi IN
some respects, a mistake. But, however
thnt may be, the situation now Is, that
while the Grand Army probably has some
responsibility for the action OF this new
society, IL has no control over II whatever
Whether the Veterans Rights Union proves
n help or hurt to the Grand
Army here depends upon what 1t Ia
and how IL is conducted Fortu-
from Its recent manifestations. In the
pamphlet published by officers Of the Vet
erans' Rights Union (signed by Chairmen
Burke and OdelD j find statement OF the
objects of the society here, an argument in
favor of It's existence here, and copies OF
some Of its letters to the President OF the
United States, which he did not answer.
The first letter to the President, which is, 1
think, milder than some OF the Others,
speaks of "henchmenn OF the party to
which he belongs. Then It stingingly
impugns the motives Of head
OF bureau who, whatever his
merits or faults, has more Union soldiers
under him now than were there when he
began. II proceeds to make charges
against him, and, by an easy, onesided
process, readily to convict him and to an
nounce the penalty-hls summary dis
missal from his high Office. The words OF
the conviction and sentence Of the V. Il.
U. are;
We conclude that he has wantonly prosti
tuted his oflice to the promotion Of personal
and partisan ends, and that for violations OF
the Siy service act ana % tne rules a Sa
subjected to the penalty Of dismissal from Of
fee.
1t might have been kind to have added,
and may God have mercy on his soul. Sup
pose this plan Of bitter attacks is continued,
what will be its natural effect on Grand
Army men here2
The reason officially given for the ex-
ietence OF the V. II. U. here is that tho
Grand Army has failed to serve the purpose
Of properly caring for the soldiers, because
II is non.partisan, and is crippled by hold
ing aloof from politics But, lest may
be supposed to be In error about this re-
markable line Of argument, Will quote
little Of what is said. The first sentence OF
the official argument reads
There was time when no soldier Of the
Union thought that n time would ever come
when a grateful people could forget the ines
tinable services Of the 100000 martyrs who
laid down their lives In camp aud field, or OF
the 300 900 patriot soldiers who came home, &c.
1t seems to me rather severe on "grate.
full peoplen TO accuse them Of such aston
ishing ingratitude. But 1t will occur to the
reader that there IL some mistake about the
fact that our services have not been alto
gether forgotten; that In the main we are
greatly honored by the tributes OF history,
and most current literature, laws, and pub
lie sentiment, as well as by distinguished
and very considerable share Of the public
officers.
After this suggestion Of the ingratltude OF
the people (Which, fear, may not tend to
make them love us), the argument next
says:
Twenty years ago we believed with that
simplicity which is the grace and blessing OF
childhood, that every patriot soldier would
live out his span Of a broken and marred life
under the protecting and fostering care oil q
grateful republic.
The point suggested is that the govern
ment has also been basely ungrateful to US.
Having thus disposed OF the "people" and
the 'republic," the argument next makes O
like attack upon neighbors and friendly
governing authorities. 1t says:
We did not then believe that the professions
ofour neighbors In public and private life, our
State legislators and governors and our Con-
gress could ever prove delusion and false
hood
This is rather severe on certain consider
able people, and l fear may not tend tc
make them love us more than usual II We
silently allow this peculiar V. X. U. to re
present us or assume to help US in this way
Next the laws giving fayors to soldier
are mentioned Snd an attack is made upor
the Grand Army, but, no doubt withou
really intending to be hostile. A picture Il
drawn OF its failure, and how just In tn
nick Of time and by wise idea OF resort h
political resources the V. r. U. here spranl
into the breach. This is the language:
The time came when the statutes of 1866 ant
1876'were treated as practical nullities, and dis
elimination in favor of ex-soldiers, either as u
appointments or retention In public employ
became re almost Inc snnE Of saS PAST 10
extentof its power, its comradeship with tn
Victims of political prescription, and with al
recognition as contemplated by the laws. BY
the Grand Army Of the Republic was aud Is
non.partisnn organization. forbidden by y
political aifairs. II could not act against tn
powers that were unfriendly to the soldier
Then came the V. X. U.
Now II the above statement were th
great truth about the treatment Of soldiers
and the failure Of the Grand Army, and no
mere feverish extravaganza, with nothing
but an occasional exception, instead OF tn
general rule, to give It semblance OF truth
II the non-partisan policy were wrong, AM
there were something better, then see N
reason why the Grand Army here shoul
uOL Dc uDOlibutu, uuu buib uGW
Il. U. take It's great place.
After showing how discharges of soldier
from Office occurring here in 1875
which everybody (knows were nc
half as many as were expected
pected,) the argument proceeds to sho,
what happened this year when the V. h.
stepped In. First. It is said discharges {
soldiers have been less here In 1886 than l
1885, and the V. X. U. proceeds TO take th
credit for 1t. That discharges were mol
in 1885 Ia perfectly natural, from the fax
that In that year occurred not only chang
OF administration, but change OF part
rule, coming at the end OF quarter OF
century Of opposite party government
There Is no reason that / can see TO suppos
that discharges have been less this year on al
count OF the advent OF the V. X. u. The fax
Is the general sentiment In favor Of Unto
soldiers has remained, and the Grand Arm
and its friends, through It's abstaining frol
politics, have grown stronger and more II
fluential
here has done It's alleged great work. An
how is thatp Why II says II has called tn
attention of the President to the laws wit
good effect. Gould not the Grand Arm
Go thatp II says 1t has called the attentio
OF the civil service commission to the law
with good effect. Could not the Gran
Army do that' 1t says 1t has called the a
tention OF the quartermaster general {
the laws with good effect.
Is 1t pretended the quartermaster gener
is amenable to political inauencesP Coul
not the Grand Army call his attention
the laws with as good effect as the V. j
UP Then again 1t is said In the argumen
after claiming some results in the depar
--- ments:
brought about mainly by the Intervention
the President TO whose attention we h6