The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-05-24
SOLDIERS IN POLITICS.

n NSW Il orh ulSpalCQ says movement IS
on foot in that state to organize the ex-
soldiers il to political league, the object,
of course, being to control local and general
elections. The telegram says the move
ment may have important influence in the
politics of the state" and that the soldiers
are hopeful Of building powerful political
machine"
Ever since the formation of the Grand
Army of the Republic there has been an
uRdercurrent Of tendency In the direction of
turning the organization into great polit-
ical machine. The rules of the order forbid
this, and on the surface the posts are
non-partison, yet at times the partisanism
has been so pronounced as to cause trouble
in the organization. The movement noted
in our telegrsphio columns is undoubtedly
intended to get around the obstacle in the
charters Of the G. A. R. and accomplish by
direct methods what 50 many have tried to
achieve by chicanery and indirection; that
is to say, consolidate the soldier vote"
and thus make it an important if not con-
trolling factor in the nations politics
The ultimate object, as matter of course,
is to gain money and place for the ex-
soldiers.
| 1t occurs to US that it would be well for
the veterans not to proceed with this bust
ness. They may find it LOADED" No
country never had Drawer or more patri-
otto soldiers than those of the United
States. No soldiers ever did better fight
ing. And what is ofimportance to them is
the fact that no other country ever re-
warded its soldiers as this nation has done.
Not only has the recognition of patriotic ser
vice been wholesouled and sincere, but the
material reward has been generous to the
degree of extravaganza. This is proven by
the fact that twenty-six years after the
last gun was fired and peace was declared
between the contending sections, the ma
ton is paying Sl35, 900 annually as pen
sions to the men who fought and their de-
pendent relatives. The pension roll is
greater than over before known, its vast
ness telling of the appreciation and gener-
osity of the American people. Not only
has the nation been just in the matter Of
pensions, but it has provided by laws and
department and bureau regulations for
the employment Of ex-soldiers in the pub.
lie service, they being given the prefer
ence, other things being equal.
If the veterans now organize for po-
lit1cal action it will be to proclaim thai
they are not satisfied with what has beer
done for them, and to enter the lists fol
more. And herein lies the danger to the
old soldiers themselves. There is CROWNS
up in the country, and the sentiment i:
shared by good many of the soldieri
themselves, feeling that the gratitude il
largely on one side; that whilst the peopl,
appreciate what the soldiers nave don,
the latter are not sufficiently appreciativ,
Of what the people are doing for the vet
erans Within the past year an associa
ton has been formed of Grand Army mem
bers to eliminate unworthy pensioner
from the rolls, and check, If possible. thu
extravaganza which has grown up through
too much generosity and out of desire OF
the part of the politicians to avoid givin,
ofense to the soldier vote. This associs
ton illustrates the growth of public senti
ment, and it should be suggestive
to the veterans of the probabll
ity of killing the goose which
, lays the golden eggs. In our opinion, JUS
SO sure as there shall spring up a politics
organization composed of ex-soldiers JUS
t SO certain will it arouse opposition on tn
part of the old parties. and instead of gain
: ing friends the veterans will make enemies
I The soldier vote" is formidable and i'm
E portant; it would be factor in local an
3 general elections, but we do not believe
5 could hold the balance Of power except il
two or thrae 0f the etatae vhara IN q N N =.
/ ties are evenly divided. 1t could not hop
to do this in national contest, except b
. trading and combinations which woul
very soon cause the soldiers to be execrste
8 by partisans everywhere.
a II the veterans are not satisfied wit
: what is being done for them, the way 70
them to get more Is as citizens workin