The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-03
AN OPEN LETTER.
Hon John G. Carlisle, House Of Representa-
fires

SIR: We address you rs the acknowledged
leader in the House of Representatives of
the well-organized and determined band of
opponents of ali liberal pension legislation.
We do not for moment impute that you
and they arc in this attitude because you
and they are Democrats. That is merely
incidental-not at all essential. There
are Democrats in the House of Rep
resentatiyes who are genuine friends
of liberal pension legislation. There are
some Republicans-we regret to say
who, to put it mildly, are lukewarm on the
subject. The country called upon Repub-
Leans aud Democrats alike to defend her.
The recruiting officers asked no questions
of any man rs TO his political views. When
we formed in line to receive the assault of the
enemy it was not inquired whether the man
who rammed his cartridge home with steady
hands had voted for Lincoln or Douglas.
When we went over the rebel breastworks
in the wild fury of a successful charge it was
frequently neck-and-necl between some
Democrat and Republican which should
reach the rebel colors first At the end of
the fight Democrats and Republicans lay on
the ground together, and they sleep their
last sleep side by side in the National oeme-
teries. Payment of the Nations just debts
TO the veterans has strictly no more to do
with politics than payment of the debts due
the bondholders. No questions were asked
as 10 the politics of the man who held a
bond. The only rightful question was ::
How much is owing him." This being
determined, it became as much the duty of
Democrats as of Republicans to provide for
his payment This is equally true with re-
gard 90 the soldiers.
Receutly-published interviews with you
indicate that you have arrived at the convic-
ton that liberal pension legislation is pecul-
iarly a Republican policy, to which you are
bound, by party fealty, as well as personal
inclination, 90 offer all the resistance posi-
bic. Indeed, you have lamented that the
uewly-adopted rules have placed it out of
the power of the faction which you lead to
offer as effective resistance to the passage OF
these measures rs you would wish.
That, as an outspoken advocate of revenue
reduction, even to the extent of Free Trade,
and as the recognized spokesman Of such as
think that way, you should be opposed 10
pension legislation is natural and logical.
That, with your affiliations being mainly
with the men who were defeated in their
attempt to destroy the Government, you
should be opposed TO pensions on senti-
mental grounds is equally easy TO under
stand. But we earnestly protest against
your assumption, OF even apparent as.
sumption, that justice to veterans is nee
essarily measure Of purely Republican
policy, which it is the duty OF the
| Democratic party TO autagonize. We pro
test against any effort 10 draw party lines in
the House on this question Of justice. W.
protest against cracking Of the caucus whiI
TO force Northern Democratic member.
into an attitude Of hostility 10 measure:
which have been repeatedly urged and rec
commended in Democratic Conventions,
National, State and Congressional.
There should be absolutely no distinction
Of party enter into the discussion and con
sideration Of these measures. The only
question should be what is due the sol
diers, what has been promised then
by the whole people, by both parties
and how those promises should b
carried out Personally, you have tn
right TO vote in accordance with III
views of those you represent If they de
sire Free Trade, and the stoppage Of all pen
sion legislation, il is consistent for you {
advocate that policy. But ting is persons
to you and such Of your party as agree wit
you. We conceive it to be very wrong /
attenpt TO take advantage Of the fact that
) majority Ofthe representatives Of your polit
cal faith come from the section lately /
rebellion, TO gag and coerce the minority
who come from the loyal portion of the coul
, | tTy-iuto an attitude of hostility 10 nesgur,