New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-14
cryrRAE ALGER'S ADDRESS.

General Ayers address AZ the ANNUAL LII
campmont is characterized by patriotic feeling
and wise conservatism. The hearty applause
with which its best passages were received ON
the representatives of the veterans from ever!
state in the Union was an earnest OF the Splfl'
of harmony ana moderation which would III
.nire rho bUsinc,, sessions Of the National coun-
ell. On the question of pensions, respecting
which there has been a division OF opinion
among the veterans for several years. General
Ncor was AT once outSpoken and judicouS, deal
inc with il in practical way without exciting
criticism from any quarter. Frankly ackho"I-
cdginp that the failure Of the service pension
policy had caused keen disappointment among
thousands of veterans, he gave the precise reason
for the unwiincncss. or rather the inability, OF
Congress 10 sanction it. The enactment OF such
law would have created large deficiency IN
tho National revenues This is the sum OF the
whole matter. General Ayers comments upon
tho twisting expenditures for pensions exceed
INC $3.50. 600. 900 annually, will do much to
roconcilo the advocates Of the service pension
20 the disappointment Of their hopes Let Us
he inst 10 our lawmakers" he remarks, "cycn
though they have not given Ms all we asked.
No country on earth is or ever has been nearly
rs generous 10 its soldiers ~ ours TINS COM
mcudaton Of the action OF Congress is most OPP
porrunc. The Disability bill recently enacted
i a. General Algcr has no difficulty in proving
= very lareo and generous measure with which
the Union veterans can we'll afford to be con-
tent.
The recommendation Of the Communicating
Chief respecting the removal OF the remains oi
the illustIiou, General Of the armies from New
Yorl, to Washington and the erection there OF
q magnificent MEMORIAL building such rs Will
he a credit 10 the whole people will meet we
fear. with approval in many parts Of the Union
The people of this town have disappointed the
ron .opable expectations Of the Nation by their
inaction and neglect of patriotic duty. The
collapse Of the Grant monument enterprise sui
Gcicntly discrcditcd the reputation of the mo
tropoi> but the erection of an ugly stable near
the shabby vault ha, been crownlng disgrace
| which has excited the Indignation OF the coun-
| trv. If resolutions are offered in Congress in
favor of the transfer of the ashes Of General
Grant 10 Washington, and the Grand Army
heads National movement in the same diroc-
ton the people of Newly DIRK may be humlli-
atcd. but they will not have the best cause for
! complaint. NtN nave Iib' dNdli'u ti'IIiT'lN'N
If magnificent opportunity Of building monu-
mcnt to the most ilm,trous American soldier
after Washington. They have suffered the
! Tammany gan. of politicians to create public
scandal that will be a lasting reproach to the
good name OF the city.
The annual reports submitted 10 the Ma
tiona Encampmcnt show that the Grand Army
is steadily increasing in numbers and works Of
mercy. It's membership was never so large
rs il is now and lis charities are commensurate
with its patriotism. Surely critics of the or
ganization. who are addicted to vulgar denun-
citation OF the Union veterans as pension grab
! bers" and L" subsidy -beggars" will do well to
exercise Self-rcstrant. The fact that the Or
ganization has expended during the last year
S22 $50 IS for the relief Of 2S.4l9 cases is an
adequate vindication of its character. The
Grand Army is not to be compared to blind
BellsariuS standing at the doors OF a National
Capitol and asking aims, but rather to the Good
Samaritan, binding up the wounds and pouring
! in oil.