The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-29
NOT PAUrERs OR PRISONERS.
Democrats and Popuiists Cane Dfsfran-
chise Soldiers I'm Homes.

Democrats and Popuiists Can't Dfsfran-
chise Soldiers I'm Homes.
WASHINGTON SOLDIERS HONE
0RrIsG, Oct. ID. 1894 J
To THE EDITOR: The inmates Of the
Soldiers home are greatly exercised by
reports in general circulation that We are
debarred and will not be allowed to vote
at the coming election. The Soldiers
home was established to meet one of the
organic parts of the state constitution,
which says, tThe legislature shall provide
by law for the maintenance Of a soldiers
home for honorably discharged Union
soldiers, sailor and marines, and members
of the state militia disabled while in the
line of duty. and who are bona fide citi-
gems of the state" The home stands in
the state in the same relation that schools
and courts do; the poorhouses, asylums
and prisons are under the police regula-
ton of the state. The action of the per-
sons who would keep as from the polls
claim that clause in the constitution
provides that no person, while kept at
public expense at any poorhouse or
asylum. or confined in q public prison,
is eligible to the elective franchise.
Now. then, is this home q poorhouse or
prison pcn2 suppose young man,
member of the state militia, should be
ordered out to help put down riot or
suppress instruction, became disabled
and put in the Soldiers Home for care
and treatment, what would be thought If
that act would disfranchise him? No one
but public enemy or some puny wishy-
washy character would entertain such an
idea for moment. We are not paupers
or criminals. Although the most of US
have been guilty at a certain time OF ap-
propriating chickens, pigs and like prop
erty, wherever found. and it has been said
that mules, horses and prime cattle have
been driyen off, we were always ready.
however, TO give proper receipts and
thank the owners. but they were never at
home.
The advance of time has brought the
whitening blight of old age, infrmities
and disabilities, and we no longer can
cope with the rugged turmoil of life, so
must give way 10 the young and vivacious
coming after us. We trust the same pa
triotism will animate every thought and
action that is now part Of the old soldiers
life. Take a map of the globe, and you
will point with pride to the United States,
as she stands as a pinnacle away above all
other nations of the earth. 1t can be said
that We are the potent factors that placed
her there The greatness and shining
glory of this republic is reflected in the
good deeds Of every true Union soldier.
l. asst July the loyal men of the G. A. r. in
your grand city. during the great strike,
when the laws of the country were disre-
garded, riot ran rampant and anarchy was
supreme in many places, offered their
services TO President Cleveland TO help
suppress iawlessness and fight for the old
dag II necessary. The Populists objected
20 that loyal act, and wanted the pensions
taken away from every Grand Army man
In Seattle. No wonder there are those in
our midst who would disfranehise the
old soldiers if they can. Il is vel known
that eur friends in the late war said,
''Boys. 40 help put down the rebellion,
save the Gag and you shall always be cared
for" The government was saved; the
promises made In ls6l have been sacredly
kept We are each an individual part of
this government; with the other people
we have inherent rights. Now in our
declining years We remember those friends
and with hearts tnll Of gratitude propose
on November & 10 march TO the polls
aud cast q vote for the straight Republican
ticket Is is sad shere are few, a very
fen, cid soldiers who are Popu,i.ts. One
can hardly realize the truth Of such a
statement II such Is the fac. they must
be men of abnormal natures and wear No
Gu hats. VETERAN