Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-23
SOLDIERS AND THEIR FRIENDS.
The Lemons, the Dudleys, the Tanners
and Their Xix who Sound the Bugle

The Lemons, the Dudleys, the Tanners
and Their Xix Who Sound the Bug1e
Horn.
In speaking upon the pension ques-
ton the Millodakee journal recently
said The men who advocate extrava-
giant measures in the interests of the old
soldiers, or who would apologize for
recklessness in the lines of pensions or
national or state appropriations, and
wink at misuse of the public funds
under pretense of caring for destitute
and needy veterans of the civil war, are
the worst enemies that the worthy
veterans can have. They are killing the
goose which lays the golden eggs for the
soldiers, for they but hasten the time
when the limit of endurance will be
reached. The Federal pension roll has
swollen TO enormous proportions and
yet it continues to increase. Claim
agents work upon Congress, ostensibly
in the interests OF deserving veterans,
but in reality for themselves.
Hundreds of them have made colossal
fortunes out of the business of posing
rs the professional friend of the soldier
II is their bugle horn that is heard in
the distance at all times and right up to
the front where there is strife for an
appropriation. They are the Lemons,
the Dudlcys, the Tanners, and their ilk.
They love the old soldiers, but they love
themselves, their pension fees, and the
professional and political prestige they
can obtain still better. Such men are
dangerous advocates for the deserving
veterans. For reason they substitute
vituperation; for principle they suhsti-
tute prejudice; to arguments they ans
wer with epithets, and throughout all
| their in-comings and outgoings they are
themselves the central figure and the
veterans Of the war are the sections of
the pontoon bridge over which they
walk to distinction, notoriety, office
and wealth. Is there single
member of the legislature who
cannot count among his own
acquaintance men who have re-
ceived back payments Of pensions, and
who are to-day receiving pensions, to
which they have no honest claimY In
all other cases where public appropria-
| tions are asked there is at least pre-
tence of justification for the granting Of
money and guaranty of economy and
wisdom in expanding it. No other class
of people assail opposition to their
plans with epithets and abuse and the
| persistent declaration that such OPPOSE
ton can only spring from hatred Of the
would be beneticiaries and the cause
they are alleged to represent But this
is the rule with the professional veter-
ans, and though they are but few in
comparison with the deserving, honest
| and conscientious ones they make
/ up the deficiency in arrogance,
audacity and presumption, SO
that they push modesty and
worth to the rear. They are always
ready to occupy the time which should
be devoted to discussion when any
weighty matter is to be considered, and
their use Of catch-words and phrases is
such as to secure applause and noisy
appreciation when they have not
arranged for it beforehand. Good men
are often corrupted by their insistence
that the end justities the means, and
others are silenced by the fear that they
will be looked upon as enemies to the
veterans. Every veteran knows that
the talk of the professionals is clap
though few of them dare to combat and
oppose it. When the Grand Army Of
the Republic awakes to the fact thai
such men injure its cause instead o.
helping it, they will be sent undel
guard to the rear, and the rcins o.
authority will be given to men who
will have some regard for decency ant
honesty.