The National tribune., 1891-03-26
TmE COMING DANGER.


tility to their interests.
Rightly or wrongly, the soldier-haters
interpreted the results Of the elections last
Fall to be a popular condemnation Of the
present pension system, and were enormously
encouraged 10y it. The fierce and long-sus-
tanned assault last Winter on everything
connected with pensions showed this clearly.
Malignant and incorporate as had been
their ISLANDERS upon veterans before, they
were as nothing 10 the TRADES when they
felt chat they had the country at their back,
with a House Of Representatives in their
favor. no, since the outbreak Of the rebel
lion has the country seen such wicked and
reckless lying as that which was done about
pensions.
IL cannot be denied that this has already
had a very prcudical effect upon the COM
munity. A large portion Of the people has
never had any special love for the men who
crushed the rebellion and wiped out slavery.
This portion is to-day as ready TO believe
any evil thing said Of them rs it was ready
some years ago 10 believe that every man
who wore the blue was robber, a rayisher
an amalgamationist, and n cowardly mer-
censry. Then, too, a generation has come
upon the stage, TO which the war is ancient
history. Ii has no more than the dimmest
realization Of the pangs and Gears, the heroic
| scli-sacrilice, the exalted courage, the mortal
agonics, and the constsucy unto death itself
Of that terrible period in our history. This
generation, devoted TO gain-gctting, finds it
difficult 10 conceive that the one before it
should abound in men who 80 loved their
country and her institutions as TO be willing
TO sacrifice everything home, business,
prospects, comfort, and even life itself TO
preserve and perpetuate them to postcrity.
Lastly, attracted by the enormous prosperity
which followed the victorious close Of the
war, there have come into the country since
1865 millions Of foreigners, who think and
care no more for the men who fought and
blcd and bore the heat and burden Of the
years from 1861 TO 1865 than they DO for the
men who built the pyramids
An this is congenial material for the SOL
dier-haters TO work upon. They find it a
fairly-easy task TO convince these classes
that the veterans are thoroughly unde-
serving lot, largely composed Of shirl.s and
bounty jumpers who are being pampered
out Of the National Treasury At the expense
Of the woilingman and farmer How well
they worked this material was shown by the
result last Fall, when they also profted by
the Indifference Of the veterans.
The situation which now confronts the
veterans is genuinely alarming. Their enc
mics are determined not merely to prevent
any additional pension legislation, bat to
repeal much that has already been enacted.
There is no disguise on the part Of their
opponents that this program has been fully
decided upon, and viii be carried out unless
they are prevented. The urgent duty Of all
veterans and friends Of veterans is to organ
/ lie solid front Of resistance against this
/ iniquitOus scheme. Their enemies boast
that they are carrying On a campaign OF
education" TO teach the people the enorni-
ties Of the pension system and secure lie
overthrow. The veterans must carry on Q
counter campaign OF education, to instruct
the people as to what is due the men who
saved the Nation and made all this pros.
perity possible. They must circulate litera.
tuTe presenting their side Of the case in tht
ablest manner, aud they must raise iheil
voices in defense Of their comrades and
themselves in every political gathering aud
in the local press. This must be done Will
al the earncstness and power employed by
their enemies against them. They must b,
as interchangeable in their own righteous cause
as their opponents are in their unHghteoul
one.
We repeat that the need Of united, reso
Lutte, untiring action is exceedingly urgent
We must fight now vigorously 10 retain
what We fought 80 long and 50 hard to gain
il we ever expect more-and vastly NOR
is due us-we must fight now 10 keep villa
we have. Comrades, do not underestimate
the need Of this
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE will as eve
champion the cause Of the veterans in thi
struggle, and meet the enemies Of soldier
with uuAinching resolution. II will brin
, every argument 10 bear TO cnlighten I'll
! people as to the greatness Of the debt du
r the men who gave everything that ih
D Nation might live. The most effective wa
10 neet the assaults Of ihe soldicr-hatcrs
: by seeing that the paper circulates ez
tensiyely wherever their Trades are rea
or heard, that it may oppose its ant
dote TO their venom. Comrades, see tbs
this is done, and that The NATIoYA
TRIBUNE Is seen and read by every ma