The National tribune., 1888-12-06
GIVE THEM THEIR DUES.
Unless Done Speedily it will be Too Late.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: AS veterans
of the late war we are proud of the far-reaeh-
ing influence and loyalty of THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE It is indeed the champion paper of
the soldiers rights and interests in the United
States. Whenever its editor has pointed out
an unworthy Office holder under the Govern
ment the veterans, realizing the reliable source
from which it originated. have promptly voted
him out at the polls. 1t should be warning
to either political party IN power to deal justly
and honestly with the men who saved the Ma
ton in the hour of its peril. The Democratic
party of New York State now admit that they
were defeated by the soldier votes. Behold the
banner Harrison State looming up in the West.
The political complexion of " Bleeding Kansas"
has been made clear and bright by the good
judgment and patriotic votes of the old soiJifers.
The voice of the HoOsier veterans was distinct
ly heard above the rebel yell of Eugene Hig-
gins in sounding the death knell of C. c. Mat
son. The inhuman treatment of the victims of
Libby, Belle Isle and Andersonville prison
pens was still fresh in the minds of the veterans
OF Indiana. They could not be bribed even by
English gold. They are men of large expert
ence as well as men of brains What about
pension legislation this Winter? Can we ex-
pect anything from dead carcass that could
not Include sore eyes among the results of
diarrhea" while living? Must 10000 aged
veterans languish in the poorhouse another
year2 When will justice be melted out to the
Nations defenders, to the widows and orphans
who are destitute of the necessaries of life
Why in the name of Heaven does not the Gov
eminent deal as honestly with its soldiers as it
does with its bondholders? Which is the most
worthy of remuneration? Who stopped Lees
cohorts when they were marching toward
Philadelphia and New YoTk-lhe bondholders
or the soldiers? Whom has the Government
been the most partial to-the bond holders who
ran roA for tba IF 0l1
who were promised dollar and received 80
centsS Eight dollars per month, the small pit
lance winch tS soldiers have thus far received,
was no incentive for them to bare their breasts
to rebel bullets? The soldiers unlike the
bondholders, we're not working for money.
They had a principle at stake. They were
fighting for an eternal principle of right against
great wrong. They were fighting for the per-
petuity of the Union, and for the liberation of
100000 of men bound down in the iron chains
of slavery. They were fighting for the honor of
the old flag, and for an honorable residence in
beautiful country for their loved ones. In
the light of these facts, are not the soldiers
equally entitled to an honest dollar2 The
Government has done as it agreed with its
creditors, and we say amen to it but it has not
done as it agreed with its soldiers. Since
the Government has lots of cash on hand,
why not pay its honest debts to the
soldiers by making good the 65 cents which was
deducted from their pay on settlement? would
respectfully ask our law makers, why not
equalize the bounties of soldiers, and forever
remove the dark stigma of partial Govern
ment? Why not extend the arrears act while
the soldiers are still living? When the veter-
ans take up their eternal fight they viii not
take the money with them. Every dollar will
soon go back to the Treasury, from whence it
came. Now, if ever is the time the aged vet
Grams need assistance from the Government
which they saved from division and dishonor.
The gray shadows of years are deepening about
them. Their ranks are constantly being thinned
by the steady march of time. The last roli-call
of the veterans of 1875 draweth nigh. They
will soon be mustered out aud join the heroic
spirits above. This Nation, made great and
powerful and prosperous by the heroic valor of
its soldiers, can never fully pay them for their
services, but it can smooth their pathway to
thegrave. Hereafter the soldiers will vote to
man for the party that assists them. We propose
to keep alive the memories of the war so long
as the electric chain of memory, stretching over
every battlefield and over every patriots grave,
continues TO illuminate enr mental horizon.
Yes, we'll keep alive the memories of the war
until the principles for which we foughta and for
which our brave comrades died are respected
and acknowledged by the people in every sec
tion of the United States and indellbly written
on every page of our National history; till
every citizen in the Southern States, and in
New jersey, can walk up to the polls and de-
Pcsit his vote without fear and unchecked by
the hand of violence. Then we viii cheerfnlly
bury the bloody garment so far rs North and
South are concerned. We honor the bravery
exhibited hyy enEE late enemies onSmany holly
o,;9stt tested battlefield, and would be happy to
clasp the warn hauu OF eTS$$yy ex.rebel soldier
in lasting friendship, if they will love and re-
spect the old flag which the Union armies
carried to victory. Indeed, we are jealous of
any other flag than the Stars and Stripes
planted on American soil, and we will teach
our sons to fight for it as we have fought for it,
and if needs be to die that the old flag may
still wave.-W. II. FRENCH, Co. d, 18th Pa
Cav, Athens, Pa.