The National tribune., 1890-02-20

come before it, are overwhelming in number
and conclusiveness. They are:
]. Because it is RIGHT. The desired pen
sion legislation being admitted to be the
payment of n righteous debt due the vet
Grams. National honor demands that no one
TO whom it is due shall be defrauded ont of
his rights by having payment postponed
until after his death. Every week that this
legislation is delayed hundreds are so de-
frauded, for that many veterans die between
Saturday night and Saturday night, and so
pass beyond the reach of earthly gratitude
and Justice. 1t is shameful that even one
of these men should be allowed 10 sink into
his grave with his last days uncheered by
the reception OF his long-withhe!d dues,
while the Nation he helped save is rioting
in riches. That every week should see
hundreds of these instances is an ineifable
disgrace
2. Because il is in the most advanced stage
of any other business before Congress. For
more than ten years now the substance, and
in many instances the wording and form
even, of the proposed pension measures have
been earnestly discussed on the floor of
Congress, in the Committee rooms of both
Houses, in the press of the country, on the
fl,orin ~
They were the main issue in one National
election, and the people decided at the polls
that the pension measures ought TO be en-
acted. Never since the days of the war has
any legislation been more thoroughly con-
sidered, or agreed upon with so much unan-
unity by the majority in Congress and of the
people at the polls. There is virtually
nothing left for Congress TO do but to arrange
the minor details of the measures, and for
mally pass them.
3. Because pension legislation is matter
which directly concerns the happiness and
well-being of larger class of our citizens
than any other business before Congress In
nothing else have so many people such
direct, personal and vital interest. On moth
ing else is there anything like such large
proportion ofour people determinedly united.
No other question approaches it in import
ance to anything like so great a number.
4. Because-very different from any other
business-time is all-important In much
the greater part OF the other business likely
TO come before Congress, il is really not Of
the highest moment that action be taken at
once. For example, though il may be very
desirable TO have increased appropriations
for building war vessels, we are not likely
to suffer much damage if that action be
postponed until next session. But trifling
inconvenience would result from delaying
action till next Winter on the River and
Harbor Bill, or those for erecting public
buildings in various cities. Public interests
would not probably suffer from several
months delay in acting upon the Silver
Coinage Bill, while all interested would
be grateful If it were definitely agreed
that not a word should be said ON
the tariff for another twelyemonth. All
these can wait without serious detriment.
| But the veterans cannot. Death is making
| frightlully increasing inroads upon them
every month-every week, even. Every
cemetery in the country is being constantly
recruited from the ranks of those who rail-
lied around the flag when the tocsin Of war
! sounded Following comrades 20 their last
homes is the mournfully regular routine
| business Of every one of the 6000 Posts in
the country. The muilled drums are every
where beating and the intervals between
their sad calls is constantly decreasing.
Sickness, Decrcpitude and Want are becom-
ing more frequent visitors at hearthstones
TO which they have hitherto been strangers
And every time they come they stay longer
Too often they become permanent dwellers
TO depart not until their victim is carried "a
the churchyard by his ageing comrades.
s. twill be wise public policy to have Tho
disbursements contemplated by this legisla
ton begun at as early date as possible, thai
the money may be difTused among the people
and do its benefcent work in enliveninl
business
@. 1t is wise legislative policy to clear fla
docket Of this important business in th
early part Of the session, while other bust
ness is being got in readiness,-while Their
is leisure 70 carefully perfect it in every dc
detail, and avoid the dangers which vii
attend IFS being rushed through later in tn
session, when the members are perplcxed b
the multiplicity of highly-important mat
, tiers claiming their attention.
But the one sufficient and oyerwheImin
reason is the first one giyen-Jecause il
. right. The legislation will be in the natuI
Of afulGllment ofthe Nations promises 10 il
defenders. Tens Of thousands Of them hay
heeu defrsudcd NJ their riybfs hu fI,e ,,r,y y,