The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-11-01
orr LAST WORD,

of the Union is to be decided
We have already presented conclusive
arguments why every veteran, without
regard to previous political connections,
should, on this occasion at least, vote for
Republican candidates for Congress.
They should do this as a matter of
principle, of policy, of justice, of self
preservation, even.
The question of justice to pensioners,
of the public employment of veterans, of
all forms of National regard for those
who sacrificed themselves to save the
country, now hangs in the balance.
Rightfully or wrongfully, the Repub-
lican party stands before the country as
the special friend of the veterans, and
the one that is pledged to justice and
liberality toward them. Rightfully or
wrongfully, the Democratic party stands
for the reverse; it stands for the policy
which has been pursued since it came
into power.
We will not stop now to discuss, nor
is it the time to do so, how rightful or
wrongful these impressions are. 1t is
entirely sufficient for the purpose that
they are strong popular beliefs, and that
the people accept the victory of one or
the other as the adoption Of one or the
other policy.
Nor does it initiate against this posi-
ton that many Democratic Representa-
tives are real and warm friends of the
veterans, and that some Republicans
are the reverse.
In fight so great as this, individuals
are not counted. They are not to be
regarded. The policy, the general di-
rection of the mass, are what is all
important.
The people in the country at large
know and care nothing about the local
fights and the personal questions which
enter into the campaign in each Con-
gressional District. All that they think
about or care to know are the candi-
dates positions on pensions, protection,
and other National issues Outside Of
their own District they will count every
vote given Republican candidate as a
vote in favor of just and liberal pen
sions, and of protection to American
labor and interests. They will count
every vote given a Democratic candi-
date as one in favor of cutting down or
abOlishing pensions, of skalsing the old
soldier, and of free trade.
These are the naked issues in the pop
ular mind, and form, we are sure, most
conclusive reasons why the veterans
should vote solidly for the Republican
Congressional candidates.
A Republican majority in the next
House will be accepted by every one as
public reprobation of the present pen
sion policy, and a promise to return to
that Of honest fulfllment Of the Nations
obligations to its saviors. This will be the
case, no matter how lukewarm some Re-
publicans may be on the subject. They
viii be controlled by the popular ex-
pressions upon the subject
0n the other hand, a Democratic
majority will be accepted everywhere as
an approval Of the present policy and an
encouragement to 60 still further in it
10 make il still more drastic and in
furious. This viii equally be wholly
without reference TO how friendly some.
individual Democrat may feel toward
veterans, and bow much disposed they
may be toward liberality and justice in
their treatment Of the comrades. They
Will be controlled by their colleagues
and the expression Of public sentiment.
These facts seem to us SO plain that
no man can mistake them.
We therefore, and in the most en-
phatic manner possible, adjure every
comrade TO cast his vote, and to secure
all the votes he can, for the Republican
Congressional candidates.
II each subscriber 10 THE NATIONAL
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