The National tribune., 1889-05-09
AN OPEN LETrER.-v.

FELLow-CITIzENs We have previously
addressed the President, the Secretary of
the Interior, the Assistant Secretary, and
the Commissioner of Pensions, concerning
some deeply inportantp phases of the pension
system which we assumed had not before
been called to their attention. We now
appeal to you. whose servants and executants
those officials are.
We did not address ourselves to their af-
fiction for their comrades, nor compassion
for the suffering. for that was unneces-
sary. They feel as deeply as anyone can
what is due the men who stood in line
of-battle with them, and they are ready TO
do all that is lawful and possible. We SIM
ply spoke of the matter in its executive
light-as to what the intent of the laws was
and the best way to carry it into execution.
1t is in a similar spirit that we now adj
dress you. It is wholly unnecessary to pre-
sent to you the patriotic sentimental side of
the case. Your active sympahies have
always been with the men who saved the
I Nation and you have been generous in your
admiration of their services and sacrifices.
You are naturally just, and believe that
every creditor of the Nation ought to be
paid in full, just as you believe in paying
your own debts, and in having paid what is
owed you Eliminating for the present,
therefore, all considerations of gratitude and
generosity, we want to discuss the matter
with you on the basis of business honesty
and justice. We invite your consideration
of these plain facts:
1. When the country was in mortal dan
ger, an earnest appeal was made to its sons
to save it from destruction. It was clearly
understood that this meant enormous sacri-
fees on the part of those who responded to
the call. They not only braved great dan
gers, but they gave up lucrative and pleasant
employments and the chances of acquiring
q competence. 1t was imperatively necessary
for them to do this in order to save the Ma
ton for others and for themselves, if they
should survive the conflict OF the 11,5OO,-
600 males in the loyal States in 1926,
about 2225, OO0-or one in fve-went into
the army, for longer or shorter periods. The
remaining four out of the five were either
too old or too young, or found their business
at home too agreeable and profitable tOleave
it for the turbulent field.
The 2,225OOO soldiers fought the war
through to victory for the 100000 who
staid at home, and also for the 100000
who were opposing them in the South-be-
cause the victory was just as great blessing
to the defeated as to the victors. Every
one of you 100000 of the most prosper
Gus people in the world are reaping to-day
harvest of countless benefits from their
lavish expenditure of blood, health, time
and pecuniary advantages. All of you have
shared alike in the benefits of their blood
bought triumph. There would have beer
little or none of the present wealth and
prosperity, North or South, if they had no
fought as obstinately and endured as pa
5 tiently as they did. The cost to them of al
. that you now enjoy was frightful. One
fifth of their entire number were killed OF
!, the field of battle, or died in hospital. An
> other fifth died within few years after
from wounds or disease incurred in the serv
ice, while countless thousands more ha
E their wage-earning capacity greatly reduces
: by the disabilities resulting from their de
2 2 votion to their country. In this way alon
they and their families sacrificed unnum
bered millions of dollars upon the altar
: their country-they made themselves poe
/. that you and the country might be ricl
0, Again, every man who served in the arm
made pecuniary sacrifice to do so. T
gave up good wages and chances for secu
< ing a competence, and accepted the beggarl
e. pay of a soldier Carefully computed est