The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-29
AN ANXIOUS pHARIsEE.

There is paper in st. Paul edited by q
Pharisee, who in a recent issue dips his pen
in crocodile's tears and proceeds to set forth
in the stock phrases of the habitual hypo-
critic, his concern for the veteran soldier. He
goes into mock Mysteries over the danger he
points out.
After few preliminary shrieks of anguish
he exclaims:
The grave inquiry now presents itselfto the coun-
try, how long this pension crusade be continued
without breaking up our whole pension system3
Then he makes some remarks about "pen-
sion sharks"
By Sharks" he alludes of course to the
veterans legal representatives, who have
wrung from a forgetful Government the
dues of their clients.
His anxiety about the sharks In made
more conspicuous by the entire satisfaction
of their alleged victims, but this soldiers
friend ~ appears to be blinded to this con-
dition of things by the intensity of his
sympathy.
Mark the lamentation over grave Ca
lamity whose possibility haunts him further
on. He says:
III IT goes on at the present rate of speed react
ion is inevitable, for there is always limit to the
tax-enduring capacity Of a nation. and when that
reaction scts in it it is likely TO swing to the other
extreme.
Poor nation" Why does not our
hypocritical friend do something generous to
help us? No doubt he is yearning. if the
truth were known, 10 print ali the Govern
ment advertisements for the War Depart
ment and Postofice supplies needed at ST.
Paul, free Of charge.
Mr.. Wanamaker and Secretary Tracy
would be glad TO correspond with him with
that end in view, no doubt on behalf Of a
"tax-enduring nation" Just how much Of
this tax our anguish-burdened friend I" en-
dures himself, we have no means of know
ing, and he probably could not inform us.
He probably never confronted a Government
tax-eollector in his life. unless he were at
some time in his career licensed yictu-
aler"
Proceeding he becomes actually bereft of
reason, and gives utterance TO his rawlings as
follows:
II the bill he Commissioner Tanner) has pre-
pared for the approval Of the Grand Army organ
izatiou passes Congress next session. it will bank
rupt the Treasury the first year.
OF course this is nonsense, or malicious
Misrepresentation, designed to create an
anti-pension panic.
Then he grows sapient, and says in the
abundance Of discrete platitude:
Soldiers as well ms citizens doubt the wisdom Of
policy that viii force already oseTtaxed people
10 turn against system that was designed for a
good purpose, and which should be maintained
within legitimate limits.
Legitimate limits" is what the veteran
ard his friends have been fighting for for
years They do not regard three OF even %
cents day, the Legitimate limit" of COM
pensatiOn for lost health and wrecked con-
stitution, which is the price of the service
rendered the Government at the vital climax
Of It's existence.
Here the hypocrite crops out strong as he
proceeds TO pronounce in favor Of some
thing against which his soul revolts if he
dared tell the truth. He declares:
Liberal, honest and legitimate pensions should
and must be maintained, but Ii Is taxing the pat
riotism Of the people beyond limit 10 ask them,
under the plea Of providing for the old soldier 10
bankrupt the National Treasury for tho benefit Of
/ the pension sharks.
All this is too transparent TO deceive O
child. The fact is that this ST. Paul editor
is opposed TO all pensions of any kind, but
he is afraid 10 say so for business reasons in
the midst of patriotic o0mmunity. He
might dare 10 be honest In New York city,
dominated by Anglo-maniacs and Jewish
importers. but not in the Northwest. This
anxiety for the veteran is q gauzy cloak,
under which by indirection he strives TO
injure him and rob his widow and orphan.
His convictions are bad enough, but his
lack Of courage TO stand up to them is con-
temptible.
The editorial we are discussing appears In
late issue of the Globe.