The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-31
Call for Soldiers State Convention.

Comrades of Indiana:
You are hereby requested to meet in mass con-
vention at Masonic Temple in the city of Indi-
annapolis, on the 21st day OF February, at
o'clock. P. NJ, to consider matters pertainin
to our interests as soldiers and comrades, and
take such steps may be deemed best for
our interests in the future. This Nation owes
a majority of the survivors OF the late war for
the Union debt that it can now pay, and by
doing SO, from its abundant revenues, created by
'our risk of life" and success in subduing the
rebellion. will benefit the entire body OF our
people throughout the land. 1.-THE signs of the
times and public declarations of leading poll
tcians In both of the great parties indicate that
reputation OF this debt due the soldier Is in
tended through reduction of the revenues in the
name of tariff REFORM" to such extent that
no money will be provided for it until death
shall have so thiuned our ranks in future years
that IL will be an Insignificant matter. The
tire pension system OF our government 10 based
on the principle that pensions are 'gratuity" or
public charity granted by Congress Whereas,
in the late war, volunteers entered the army
with the distinct understanding that positive
contract was proposed by the governments for
their services" which remains unhonored, with
its treasury overlooking. Aside from motives
OF patriotism that induced you to throw down
your business in all the vocations of life, you
were promised for your services" payment
you Were compelled to receive the deprecated
currency of the times at par for "your services
while others without risk' of life or health at
the front were accorded the privilege of turning
the same deprecated currency into interest
bearing bonds" at par, after it had paid for
SOLDIERS, mules and provisions" Now let us
come together call things by their right names
and counsel with each other for interests in
the near future. A few men who were soldiers,
but have of late stood in with political rings"
in both parties, enjoying the donors and emolu-
ments of Offices have assisted for twenty
years In giving them have used their places
oar organizations and in Congress to defeat
simple measure of justice in favor of every SOL
against the voice of ''the men who carried the
muskets' and did the hard work of the war.
Some or them live In Indiana in both parties,
and their party conventions, if let alone. will
pass resolutions not in favor of Just settle
ment with tue soldier We have yet IN the
State of Indiana at least so 900 survivors of '6I-
90 and with their 100, 600 votes to cast next
year, and not less than two million soldiers and
their sons who will cast ballots in 'S6. Why
not, comrades. use these ballots through organi-
cation for our interest; come together aud frame
the resolutions we want on this question of a
life pension to every honorably discharged sol
der of the late war; at not less than IS per
month, and more for disabilities, and compel
measure of honesty and Justice whose risk of
life made i: possible for this Nation 70 exist or
its bonded debt worth the paper il is printed
on. We hope TO see a much larger attendance
than at either of former annual meetings,
aud trust every county IN the State will have
present large repres entation of the friends of
this measure" Our influence and strength
be made effective only through organization at
the next election. Let US see your faces in
large numbers at the time and place indicated.
A full report of work in '67 will be made at that
time by your servants.
GIL r SToRIoSr, Pres.
G. A. POWER Sec
NJ c. RANKIN, Treas