The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-01-02
NUMBER so.
CLEVELAND STILL FIGHTS THE VET
ERANS,

Mr.. Cleveland, who sent a substitute
to the war, has never forgiven the men
who risked their own lives freely to
maintain the Union, for the contrast
their action formed against his own.
His career as President was no more
forcibly stamped with opposition to pro.
lection than with antagonism to the vet
eTan survivors of he war. His pension
vttoes were innumerable. and consisted
only in their common expression of thi-
'aTtaRonism. The old soldier, to whom
at the time of his enlistment the Nation
had pledged its honor that neither ht
nor his family should ever want bread,
was to Mr., Cleveland a mendicant,
beggar, pauper-to be passed by on the
other side.
1t is not surprising that after such a
record, and after having felt the repell
ing force of the votes of the veterans at
the polls, Mr.. Cleveland should seize op-
perfumes to again attack them. One OF
these came to him the other day in let
ter from Grand Army post of Lewis
ton, Pa, in which he was invited to con-
tribute some small article to be voted eff
at fair to be held. 1t was not intrinsic
value that was sought, but it was ex-
pected that any article contributed from
such a source would have added value
ac cording to the prominence and popu-
larlty OF the donor, which would cause
a competition to poss ess it, and consp-
quently good return to the fair. In
hls reply Mr.. Cleveland sent a check
N one will quarrel with his charity
but when asked for bread he responded
with something else. just as he did in
his Presidential Office. And he sent.
moreover, a letter, which IL insulting TO
rhe entire Grand Army organizations Of
the county. Here is its pith
! II do notknow what your idea is to the
hing which we should send, and do no
care TO assume that anything which we
might contribute TO be voted f. would
~ of especial value to the cause fuI
which the fair is to be held. But il il
20 refreshing in these days, when tn,
good that Is in the Grand Army of The
Republic is often prostItuted To thr
worst purposes, to know that at leas'
one post proposes by its efforts to in
crease its efficiency as a charitable in
-tlIution that l gladly send a small
money contribution IN aid of this ohj-ci.
mo one can deny that the Graad
Army of the Republic has been played
upon by demagn ngues for partisan pur-
pDses, and has yielded to insiduuus
Establishments to such an ex ent that II
ls regarded by many good Gil Ms whose
patriotism and fairness cannot be Ques-
toned as an organ zstion which has
wandered a long way from its avowed
design. Whether this idea is absolulel,
correct or not, such sentiment not only
exists, but will grow and spread unless
within the organization something Is
done to prove that its objects are NOT
partisan. unjust and selfish"
This unparalleled venom and spleen
can only have its cause in explanation
already made Considering the fact
hat every Grand Army post in the
country is by its efforts supporting dis
abled veterans who but for Mr.. Cleve
lands yetoes would be enjoying the ben
-fits of Government aid which '-as
pledged to every soldier on his enlist
ment, the letter is a marvellous exhibI
ion of the character of the latest ex.
President of the United States Nor Can
t be overlooked that the Grand Army
posts are full of Democrats that Demo
Gratis have been at the head of the or.
ganlz ition; that post and State com.
nanders are Democrats, and that t.
them this wholesome denunciation from
the leading Democrat of the country Is
especially full of insult.
Grand Army men. on reading this let.
Ter, will be certain that their organiza,
ton was not "prostituted to the wors
Lpurposes" by any part it took in retiring
Forever Cleveland from the White
House.-.N Y. Press