New-York tribune., 1886-07-06
GENERAL LOGAN ON PENSIONS.
GRAFTON TO THE GRAND ARMY IN KANSAS
ALLUDING TO THE PRESIDENTS vFroEs-rHE OLD
SOLDIERS AND THEIR DrsrRTs.
fnr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

SOLDIERS AND THEIR DFSFRfS.
[Br TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
CHICAGO, July 5.-Grand Army Day was
celebrated yesterday hy the Western Chartauqua A.
semby In Ottawa Kan and il is estimated tnat 10000
people were gathered Forest Park The orator of the
day was Senator John A. Logan. His speech related
mainly to the history OF Kansas. hut it contained
depression concerning President Ceveands vetoes OF
pension bills On this subject the senator said;
$50 then my comrades and friends. the war Is at ast
ended Peace has spread her white wings over TINS
country and 1t for Us as patriots az soldiers
and citizens to nd develop with the growth or the
Uulted states In inteis and morals ana
everything that makes people great and good ana
TO YOU my old comrades let say one word lhisike
very much TO have to say IT, but after what the Gov
erninent has done necessity has been laid upon me 10
say it. You in your ranks men who are unfortu-
nate They are crpples blind and poor. and totter on
the streets objects OF charity. You. my
comrades know the wants or those once
stalwart fellows who gave the best DAYS
OF their lives save the Union. You must see thsV
posts are organized all over this great country 30
that every disabled soldier every poor comrade, may
be taken care Of and H. perchance, he may not be aoe
to show the exact spot where he got his wound ne
show whether it was from friend OF an enemy
You know that his Government owes him care DeihS
unfortunate poor and unable to help himself But Win
such ORGANIZATIONS as have referred TO, You will your
selves be prepared take OF your comrade when
1T has been said OF all over this country
Logans business look after the soldiers do pay
attention to matters OF National Importance ou"
so he p me God II only that have been iaen-
fu and true enough to watch over the Interests OF lne
patriots who saved this country, 80 that became my
house and your house. have taken care of that poor
man and helped him In his suffering aud distress
AIN sausaeld God Will take OF me- There
f. great deal said my comrades about the lrauds per
petrated by unusthable claims made order To secure
the sweeping assertion that all pensions thaI nave gce
granted have been right for DO not know; but DO
know for a certainty that there is not man VINO serVe9
through the VINO slept amid snow ana ice WhI an
ram. by sunlight aud starlight in dampness anu uah
ness that came OF that service with MS life pro-
longed. do not believe that there Is man who weh
through the war. no matter what some peope sH5
after physicaiy 60 npetent as he "ouu na,e
been had he not seen the service Know @ S ~
lnen have pensions VINO nave not GOT the
because OF their prize, and VINO now cry out Ila1s
AGAINST the Government; out my coun'} nen, tpav
rather nave le" lIaui' so-ea,.91n ea,1ds dsn1sd nen.
amount to litile-than TO have hundreds ueniHu Peu
ssss sGs Tne ne are csanees ts Of making slight mis-
take in that respect womu tH nm tor snoa,asr nen
sion OF 500 year who had served HI country whether
he could prove exactly or not should have IL sgne
by 4s .bcs brsIdsaI a1e tla 'S y.ar n 1' ~
81 claim nothing for myself. The men who carried
the muskets we're VINO fought the battles But
while were tramPns day ana night arouna SdnI
Donaldson and marching on the word OF command
D, s o ror "a not belleve then thar the time would
ever come that any man. matter what his political
Affiliations we're would complain Of little pension
granted To a soldier, and there II not man wlthlh
the sound OF my voice IN this vast audience
VINO was in the army himself, but
must confess that during the war aud wnen II was
doubtful which side would Oe successful the feeling wa.
that when these boys returned home they would not
want for gratitude. Why should rich VINO fttenec
ON the blood OF 100000 men complain II men are
pensioned because or their services May God forget,
ever forget them.
There il one thing say 10 the Government;
Practice what Injustice toward the Old soldiers, faithful
the JnOI you may, tEe tliur Will uoe On
or your reach y few more years
and there will be more Grand Army OF the Republic
4 few more wears and shall have 70 20 10 the
cemeteries the hlsdcs the brooks, the mar-hes ana
the rivers ascertain the history or wants ol the
sold ers.
The evidence ot decay Is upon MS today. II nave
shown weakness. your presence to-day, nope thaI III
tn- light OF our past struggles you Will forgive me.
While may other state matters that require
share OF my attention your cause and Just rights Will
never be forgotten. The battle for justice may De
hard one but can't be long one. and aiter We
have finished our here shall Join the great
silent armv who shall muster again Until! the last
roll call shah have been sounded