The National tribune., 1888-07-05
"FIghting Over Them"


toned to general laudation for your persistent
and commendable efforts in behalf of the Union
soldier, you may not be prepared to receive
bit of advice from one of the boys" But
please bear with me, as l assure you that my
best wishes attend you, as well as all readers of
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
Many of your contributors deplore the cha
otto state of affairs limiting at much-needed
reform without a suggestion as to the means to
be used to accomplish the desired end. Presup-
posing the editor to be adequate to the task OF
performing his manifold duties as such, and
observing every mote carried upon the current
breeze,sI have long waited for an ADLER pen to
tackle the hydra-headed monster but find that
others are waiting for me to come to the res
cue To me the task is not an arduous one, as
l am, and always was, lightning" in the
matter of Offering advice for the government
of the actions of others, having made it
speciality to counsel the erring and way
ward Sometimes, in violation Of stand
ing rule of etiqGet have given whole
some advice" unasked, and experienced
the pleasure ~ of having my kind offices
spurned and totally disregarded, though the
object of my sOlicitude could plainly see him.
self travelling to destruction on the down grade
with full head of steam. A wise man has
said that it is an easy matter to give advice,
but ], after life mainly spent and devoted
to the interests of Others am prepared to prove
and experience of others is the herculean task
we read Of The cleansing of those old stables
were nothing in comparison.
Now, Mr.. Editor 'reposing implicit conf
dence in your ability, patriotism and valor," l
assure you that this is your legitimate bust
ness, and it is your bounden duty to take the
animal by the horns, inaugurate reform, and
bring up your now-almost- perfect paper to
standard of par excellence, as l assure you that
the experiment will not materially add to your
editorial labors.
My plan is that you introduce into your
paper a new department by simply transposlng
the words of your time-honored heading,
" Fighting Them Over" so as to read, Fight
ing Over Them" This heading will serve as
a base for future operations under which may
be collected the warning elements" Free
rein should be given to those fiery steeds who are
eternally charging TO the front, flank and rear;
ample room as we'll to the valOrOus ones who
claim to have planted the first flag and that
the other fellow didn't put in that sort of a
crop" and to such as were there first !" and
know that the other fellows didn't get there"
or perchance were not in the fight at all and
also to they who entered the works of the ene-
my but could not hold them, because Of the
non-arrival of the expected support" or on
account of the cOwardice" or incapaCity of
some one Abundant " fighting room should
be set apart for the numerous class who are
chagrined on account of the injustice" done
to their particular command, and to those chat
ing under the failure to receive honorable
mention" in official reports, etc. With ample
facilities thus afforded, all who got left Or
may in any way feel aggrieved can, through
this column, pour out the walls of their wrath,
and eyerlastiDgly "paralyze" some one, if the
right one may be found.
Thus and by such arrangement column of
very interesting reading" may be served hot,
1.g111 Il
out BEST" provided their nerve and wind fail
not. But the pleasing feature of the whole
matter is that the peace-loving comrade, having
had his fill of war and strife, can steer clear of
the dangerous ground and pursue the noiselcss
tenor of his way.
How does the plan strike you? To repeat a
hackneyed political Yatchword, Let US have a
change"
In conclusion, allow me to relate an anecdote
of two old soldiers from away back, and COM
rades Of to-day may with profit emulate the
magnaDimity Of those old-time heroes Of the
Indian wars.
Many years ago there lived at New Lebanon,
Ind, an old soldier familiarity known as Billy
Hughes. Becoming feeble by age and unable
to labor for a subsistence, Uncle Billy deter
mined to make application for a pension. EN-
ploying Hon. II. X. Wilson as his attorney, and
summoning a comrade known as Billy Postle-
wait a witness, declared himself ready for
business, whereupOn the following dialog rela-
tive to the matter in hand occurred, to the
great amusement of the natives:
Billy II. to Postlewait-Billy, wuzzent I at
the battle of Tippecanoe?
Billy P.-Yes, Billy, you wur, fur fact.
Billy billy, did you ever know old Billy
to " tinker?
Billy Pho. Billy, never did.
Billy H-Billy, when fighting the redskins,
wuzzent / always 100 yards ahead Of the line
(Boo-hoo.)
Billy P.-Yes, Billy, you wur (boo-hoo).
When Billy H. heard this last reply he dried
his tears, and with a smile of triumph over
spreading his face he addressed his attorney,
saying;
Thar, Henry; by jings, told you So Make
a note of that"
presume the attorney made a note of all
the facts eicted, but Republics were ungrateful
in those as well as these days. The desired
pension was not allowed, and after Uncle Billy
II. emigrated to another State l learned that
he became County charge.
Thus we see that those old-timers, though
poor, and many of them were buried by char
ity, yet they met in peace and gave honor to
whom honor was due Let us go and do like
wisc.-JAs. 6. BENNETT, 0. S., Co. +, 9TH III.
Cav, MerOm. Ind.