The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-08

Many OF ING letters anu RESOLUTIONS are COuCuCO
in most emphatic language.
A Vandalia comrade writes to Commander
Martin: "The boys all indorse your action In
regard 60 railroad rates. Believing that the
Grand Army boys should have as good a rate
as any organization under the sun, q 1-ceni
rate is enough for them to pay. Stick to it,"
Rockford Post, No. !, adopted strong resolu-
tions. The closing one reads rs follows:
Resolved That we fully indorse the action of our
Department Commander, as set forth i'm Circular
No. 4, and that we will not attend the Encamp
ment as Post
Waukegan Post, although but so miles from
Milwaukee, by unanimous vote Endorses the
action Of Gen. Martin.
Kiumundy Post says by formal resolution:
We refuse. as n Post TO attend the National Eu.
campment unless the railroad companies grant US
l-cent rate per mile.
The railroad officials must admit that they
have to deal with pretty resolute set of men,
all of mature yearsand very generally Of strong
convictions.
Sam Rice Post, No. g. Atlantic, Iowa, has
adopted the following resolutions:
BE IL resolved 6y Sam Rice Post. No. g. GAR,
That we heartily approve of the recent recon-
mendRton of the Department Commander, that the
Reunion feature of the National Encgmpment be
abandoned aud that only delegates attend the said
Encampment at Milwaukee, on account of the dis
examinations by the railroads against the Grand
Army.
Be SI further resolved That we thus sacrifice the
great pleasure anticipated from the reunion
with our late comrades the dearest pleasure now
lefi the old soldier and now remain at our homes,
IN accordance with that same spirit OF self sacrifice
that took hs from our homes in the dark days OF
our country need. Then our country WAS menaced
by an open foe To law aud liberty; to stay at homo
then, was treason cowRrdice; now the country
Is menaced 10y the gTaspinE greed OF corporations,
aimed at the most powerful organization in the
land. by " Inch they seek to make forced levy OF
over Si0000O upon the manned aud characterization
u Al. Inn IN wtH
iatlon of their pledges, of common usage and con-
trary To the law of the land, Which foThids " un-
reasonable and unjust discrimination " TO all such
eneroachments on the equal rights OF man the
great Grand Army stands unRlteTRbly opposed In
the present as ia the past.
We regard this attempt on the part of the rail-
roads la uujnstly tax the soldiers levy OF d-
rect tax that fraternity that binds us together
rs comrades" and relying on the known desires oil
comrades 10 meet together, they put on as THIS ex-
ira rate ON their unlawful plan of taxing all the
traffic will bear" If they can coerce the Grand
Army, who can escapeg SO, for the principle in-
volved we who gave up home and all In the days
agone viii now cheerfally give up this pleasure
for Tie good of others, and charge up our loss 10
those who seek unlawfuliy to impose on us.
We hereby extend our regrets To our COM
rades at Milwaukee and others throughout the
land. whom we hoped To meet in fraierra greeting
that we are thus compelled TO choose between q
sacrifice OF pleasure and principle, but in this Rct
We but perform a soldiers duty.
NEBRASKA.
The Department Chaplain, Z. G. Harper, OF
Wood River writes to The NATIONAL TRIBUNE
as follows:
Permit me space in THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE for
few words la which to express our opinion OF the
rate war To Milwaukee, as u looks To a Nebraskan
We think the position taken 10y the railroads Is
uukind aud dishonest in the extreme. IL IL not
with "a matter OF dollars and cents. but a matter
of principle. We fought for principle during the
war. We learned during those days when mems
hearts were tried that principle was better Than
bribery. aud dupe or epii-ick was unworthy
place in our ranks. A principle defended with
dignity Is no less worthy soldier Ia time OF peace
than in sense Of injustice aud contempt 10
considerations becoming great men aud great occA
sions Is small ofienso one sees IT. Surely
the great Grand Army OF the Republic In now
snlartiDg under realization OF this fact DID not
10000 Of our brave men, Swing ia every nook
and corner 81 this country they fought 30 hard 10
save. understand those railroad managers 10 con-
tract our rates to Milwaukee al one cent a miller
Now, they either intend To steal march Oh us and
force us into corner, else with their eyes wide
open they have rcpudiaied their own contract. ii
we are correct In our understanding Of the matter
tIis whole matter morally resolves itself into this
A grand steal GA our necessities. What should oui
attitude toward this matter be7 Should we con
sentf
Now wish 10 say right here, that Eehrasta
stands soldy by tlIe decision of her noble DE
| paTiment Commander COmrade Davis. and gives 9
| lusiy, old-fashioBed cheer for his colleagues and
their decision while ia consultation at Chicago.
Nebraska looks at this matter unworthy o.
| her confidence. aud with the exception OF the re-
quired few she will stay al home. From 300
1 10 b,tyJ persons Woud nave visited milwaukee,
from Nebraska IL the railroad would have done iti
duty and stood by lie contract. A. IL Is there vii
not be 500. All ask sz fair dealing. Treat us a,
/ you treat others Don't make :" fish Of one ant
mule" Of the other IL is the principle VIC de
/ spisei not the price Of transportation.
THE STEAMBOAT MEN.
The railroad people are now confronted by
! the steamboat men. who, seeing their oppor
tunity, announce themselves as ready for con
tracts. and prepared TO transport the yeterani
| from Chicago TO Milwaukee az n rate even lowei
than 1-cent mile. The only question involv
ed is whether OF not they can be assured o
| enough passengers TO warrant the engagement
OF the steamers for the trip. with the necesSar!
sleeping accommodations on the boats durinj
| the stay in Milwaukee harbor. The stronI
| point urged by them is that the use of thl
steamers will afford fine view Of the nava
battle for all who desire 10 witness the exhi
| bition.