The National tribune., 1893-02-16
ooMmANpEk-1s!cH1Er wE1ssERr.

We congratulate Commander in-Chief
Weissert upon words Of wisdom fifty spoken IN
his letter to Representative O'Neil, of Massa-
chusetts, which we give below. He has said at
the right time Just what he should say-just
what Commander Chief of the Grand of
the Republic would be expected to say upon
a question of such momentous interest to
his comrades
1t is amazing that the soldier haters
should have had the impudence to repre-
sent the Communicating Chief as in any
manner friendly to measure of such harm
fuiness to the veterans and their dependent
ones. Comrade Weissert deserves the thanks
of the comrades not only for the emphatic
way in which he has expressed the views OF
all true comrades, but for the promptDess with
which he has met the issue. His action
shows that the National Encampment chose
well in selecting him for the highest place In
the Order.
PRovrDEYcE, R. l.. Feb. IL, 1893
Hon. JOSEPH II. oNEIL, House of Representa-
lives Washington:
notice In morning papers you quote me IN APP
prevail OF your proposed amendments TO exisths
pension legislation affecting pensions OF inmates oil
Soldiers Homes. Later received your letter OF Inc
4th instant, asking Endorsement OF some interview
said to have been held with me on that SPECIFIC
point. Uncertain whether represented or misrep-
{,t hat ;,,t, r to- vol
I in favor of legislation giving the major
portion of the pension of inmate of Home to his
family yet If he has no family, nay let him have
it all, even IL IL amounts 10 30 cents per day FOR
your proposed amendments generally, as pup
lished, have no favor. They are all calculated TO
restrict benefits heretofore accorded surviving vet
Grams their widows. Your restriction to less
than 5000 income per year is particularly oonox-
ious. because it requires public acknowledgment
of poverty. Health and loyalty were all that Lin
coin asked of US when you were babe and we
were battling to preserve Congress for you to sit
in.
I commend for your consideration the words OF
another son Of Massachusetts, as he voiced the
countrys estimate of the services OF the founders
of the Republic, who were survivors in his time
1 refer to Webster. Your warfare in advance on
those who in the providence OF God may become
soldiers' widows, is utterly repugnant to even
average manhood.
In the body of which you are a member sits
many man who fought US fashion, open and
above board front face-Gordon. his face scanned
with the track Of Union lead Butler, short one
leg; Wheeler. the wild rider, who gave US so little
rest, and that sturdy fighter. Moore. of Texas.
They were Inns OF. battle soldiers In time OF war,
but hazard the prediction of them could be
induced to lead In such fight .s you are making.
You cry out against the sum total OF the annual
appropriations for pensions. and capitalists and
towards comprise the majority of those who APP
paud. Figure the total on all pensions from 1860
to 1893, and 1t is little more than half the amount
paid i'm the same time for interest alone to the
bondbolder. He bought his bonds always below
par at times as low as 80. The men / now have
the honor to command. and their deceased COM
rades Endorsed those bonds with their hearts
blood, and by their valor put them on the road to
par and at premium ia the financial markets oil
the world. With tremendous unanimity they stood
for honest money in peace, insisting that Uncle
Sans promise to the bondholders should be re-
deemed at 100 cents on the dollar, with all inter-
est and principal ayable In gold.
The next President of the United States goes into
office having been voted for by hundreds OF thou
sands Of veterans. l have criticism for their
course The soldier earned the right to vote ms he
pleases-bs It Democratic Republican. Popuiist.
If some of Them advanced in years. enfeebied by
disease SEQ fit TO toiter TO the polls and vote the
Mugwump ticket that lie their right But beg
you to stop this warfare which will drive them to
lay aside consideration of other matters germane
TO our system of Government. and tend to weld
them into nearly solid political mass. Your
present course, persisted in, renders that nearly
inevitable, In my opinion. A. @. WEIssERr,
Commander Chief, q. Al