New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-12
4 PLEDGE REDEEMED.

-, AGAINST the Union veterans and their pen
Sims y" Not at all; TIE TRIBUNE can hon
o.tIv claim that no other influence whatever,
eycopt the spontaneous and hearty gratitude
If = natriotic Nation, has done 50 much TO
secure for Union veterans measure ol JUS
ticc. Certainly all the pension agents ana inc
LOBBY machinery have been relatively "l 10
influence whatever. for Congressman learned
long AGO to measure promises and threats from
such sources AT something like their true value.
The people Of this country had II IN Their
hearts 10 guarantee against actual suffering
those veterans their widows, children or
norcutS. who were without other means OF sup
mort II was the heart Of the Nation which
voluntarily gave the pledge embraced III the
Ecpublican National platform OF 1855 IN these
words:
The LEGISLATION ~ Congress should conform to the
pledges made by loyal people and be 80 enlarged ana
extended "a, 10 provide AGAINST the possibility That any
man who honorably the Federal uniform SHAH De-
come an iumat" ~ an almehou>c. or dependent upon
,.ri,.,,c charity In the prcscncc 81 an overlooking
treasury II would be public scandal to DO les for Those
whose yaIorou- services prc-crvci the Government
# would have been a lasting rcproach to the
Republican party it, having come into power
win 50 uINil lltl anu ~ ii'. % '''rr'' -
used rs bower N once 10 pass a Disability bill.
The detail, of this measure may not nave been
guarded with sufficient care; that Is infinitely
los, important for rich and grateful people
than the certainty that those " no really need
aid shall receive it, Frauds there doubtless
arc and will he under this bill a. there would
have been under any other OF similar char
act.r that human wisdom could have framed.
But it l., a small matter that few knaycN steal
puhlio money if those to whom the Nation
owes everything are not neglected.
II i, already said by those who delight IN
tr;,ducng every act Of the Republican party
that the Disability bill has added quarter "i
, million person, 10 the rolls OF pensioners.
II There were 50 many who deserved everything
ot the hand, of an honest Nation, 50 much the
greater necessity for that measure. Or II, Is
Is probablv the fact, the number of those who
really deserved and wcr" in need was some
what smaller. still tho Nation could not afford
10 NEGLECT these ?ooOoo more or less because
There were also some few thousand giac'I'>N
and shameless creature, who would swear they
v,cr, IN need when they were not. IT was
sacred duty. and ought to have been hy All
uattIc, regarded ~ an imperative National
necessity. {, provide * carefully and wisely ~
uo>,lblc. but yet - surely PROVIDE against
want or suffering for those who have saved
fine Nation or for their wives and children
The Republican party has honorabIy re-
deemed it, pledge. Now it is time TO ,aI that
I'nion veteran, who n" not III need prefer
honorable labor 10 the attitude of n"ndicahtN'
ON their behalf. and on behalf Of all pensioners
o.. we'll THE TRIBrNE point, to the pledge
,,,cfnlIv made and fully redeemed. and urges
that what a grateful pcopI" piopoNc' anu '"'
Republican party promised has no" been done
II !, not - lc inferred that the Nation Is gong
ON indefinitely to enrich pension attorneys ana
lobbyists, by further enactmcntN when the
people did not propose, which tn" party dId not
promise. and which scli-IcNpccting tnon vet
| lrnm- ln moi AK.