The National tribune., 1889-02-21

Gentlemen of Cougress :


order They rise to question of the high
est priEilege-a matter involving their
vital interests. They have the right to be
heard to be listened TO attendvely, and to
have their wishes respected.
They won this right at the last election,
ifnot before. They and those who felt with
them defeated the present Administration,
and reversed the majority in Congress be-
cause of hostility to their interests, and
elected President and Congress on the plat
form of justice to them.
If ever the result of an election had
meaning the result of that last Fall meant
that the people of the country believe that
the first duty of the Nation is to the men
who saved its life, and that the discharge of
its financial obligations to them must take
precedence of everything else.
The veterans demand your earnest atten-
ton to this undoubted fact. They insist
that you give it the consideration that its
importance deserves. You are the servants
of the people, bound above all things to
observe and carry out the peoples will.
The people have said in words that adj
mitted of no doubt, that before anything else
was done the Nations pledges to the vet
Grams must be redeemed-that this sacred
duty must be discharged before any other
great step is taken; that it must have pre-
cedence over reduction of the revenues, and
/ over every other measure.
The veterans say they have waited long
enough-that they have exhibited unexam-
pied patriotism and patience. They waited
without murmur for long years until the
money-lenders could be satisfied. Out of
their earnings they paid heavy taxes I'M
grudgingly, to pay the last cent required
by the bondholders. They have waited
until every pressing National need was
provided for. They have waited until
the Treasury vaults were filed to bursting
with unneeded money. They submit that,
in all conscience, it is an insult to ask them
to wait longer.
Their defeat of Mr. Cleveland, and their
taking away from his party its control OF
the House of Representatives, was their in
dignant and emphatic protest against being
compelled TO wait any longer. The election
of Gen. Harrison and Republican majority
in Congress was due to their belief that that
would put an end to their waiting.
Now, gentlemen of Congress, the course
marked out for you is clear and unmistaka,
bic. 1t is to halt at once in this revenue
tinkering, Of every kind and description
and address yourselves, first Of all, to the
enactment of proper pension legislation
Give the veterans their long-denied rights
Deal with them in the same spirit as thu
money-lenders were dealt with. Fulfill thu
, Nations pledges to them with the sam,
careful regard to the letter and spirit of tn
contract. Enact the legislation recommend
J ed by the GAR. National Encampment
: Do this at once before anything else Tha
e done, you can give what attention you pleas
! to revenue reform, and whatever else claim
your attention.
There is no need of pointing out what vii
follow failure to comply with this earnes
desire of the veterans and the people g
/ large.
The issues in the last election and Ii
fate of those who thwarted the Nations d.
e. sire for prompt justice to her defenders al
q too recent to need to have your memoir,
q refreshed. The veterans, more than OF
ID million strong, are in no mood for triiin
n They viii deal with you as summarily
IE they dealt with your predecessors, if yc
is give them the same reason.
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