The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-01-27
PATRIOTIC WISDOM.
President Cleveland's Correspondence with
a Member Of the Grand Army of the Re-


President Cleveland's Correspondence with
a Member Of the Grand Army of the Re.
public.
Elsewhere appears an interesting
correspondence between the President
and General Ross, an officer of the,
Grand Army and the publisher Of the
Maryland Veteran, journal which
aealously looks after the rights and
needs of the old soldiers. General
Ross believed that injustice had
been done in the dropping of mem
Der of the Grand Army in tile course OF
retrenchment and lessening the force
in the Baltimore Custom House. He,
accordingly, very properly addressed
the President on the matter we
wonder that Mr.. Cleveland's predeces-
sors were not similarly admonished by
the heads Of the Grand Army, for we
notice, in General Ross second letter q
complaint that ssthe statutes made and
provided in our interests have been SO
long disregarded that our soldiers
homes are filled with competent, ELI.
Gent and honorable men, who have
been driven there because their phys
ical disabilities are of character that
prevents them from battling with the
world in business competition with
those who were well housed and fed
during four years of what was to us
exposure and privations. 80
| This could scarcely be. the case if Mr..
Cleveland's Republican predecessors
had been carefult to do what the laws
required and what their party so con-
tinuously promised to do for the yete-
rams of the Union. These will read
with pleasure General Ross statement
that Mr.. Cleveland has given ''patient
hearing to every petition sent him, and
prompt action in many deserving
cases.. .'''''
81 have adopted the theory Mr.
: Cleveland writes, "that the spirit o.
the law requires that the same prefer
ence should be applied to the retention
of soldiers when a reduction is neces
; sary as to their appointment. Ant
) he adds: cit is we'll that association
should exist such as you represent, or
ganized for the purpose of protectin!
and enforcing the right thus guaran
teed by law. The statute is based upol
Justice and proper and generous ap
l probation of the services of those, VIII
\ risked their lives for the safety OF thei
$ country in her time of need. The LEI
| ter and spirit of its provisions shout
| be fairly and in good faith observed:
II But the soldiers will not cOmplal
when the President adds that fitness fe
n duties must also be considered; for tn
: law made for their protection and
S their interest by u Republican Coz
e gress declares this in explicit word
y It reads: s'Persons honorably 'di
II charged from the Military or Nav
s. Service by reason of disability resultin
e from wounds or sickness incurred
5, the line of duty shall be preferred Il
II appointments to civil offices, provide
< they are found to possess the busine
a capacity necessary for the proper dl
charge of the duties of such Offices: =
e Hence the President adds, Il
: not suppose you claim that this prete
t. ence should be carried so far as to I
i tain those who are unworthy or
~ efficient. The law which you quo
ID was not expected in its operation to il
ts pair the public service, but to secu
OF the recognition in public employmel
.. by preference in selections, of such
If the dischargedTsoldiers and sailors me
Mt toned in the statute, as could a
e, would furnish faithful and efficie
H. work" That, it seems to us, eve
is honorable. veteran will agree to.-N,
as HerdM