Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-10-10
THEY WILL VOTE FOR MCKINLEY.

1t has been claimed by certain Bryan
papers, but, we believe, without founda-
tion in fact, that in numerous sections,
the old soldiers will largely support
Bryan for the presidency. Should this
most improbable and unreasonable
claim prove true, another strange and
inexplicabe anomaly will have passed
into history after the 3rd day of No.
vember next. That any considerable
number Of old soldiers should indicate
by their ballots, or in any other manner,
their preference for Bryan over Nc
Kinley for president, would seem ex-
tremely anomalous. 1t is scarcely prob
able that from among all Of the aspiring
candidates for nomination for president
upon the various party tickets, there
could have been selected two men
whose sentiments toward the old SOL
diers were, and are so utterly at variance.
While the one Bryan having never
experienced the hardships incident to
the life OF the soldier during that great
struggle for the preservation Of our
national unity, and as shown by his
repeated declarations. is lacking in his
appreciation Of the services rendered by
the defenders of the nation during the
extended period of her iminent peril,
the other, Major Mckinley himself a
soldier, distinguished for his vaor in
the service of his country, pronounced
patriot in oil that the significant term
implies, is loud and emphatic in the
expression of his gratitude toward the
brave heroes who, at their country's
call, went forth to battle for liberty and
union. The attention of the war yeter
ans is called to the following declarations
made in 1892 by the two leading national
party standard bearers. Referring to
pension legislation, Bryan said, through
the columns of the Omaha World.
Herald:
"The next congress will have to
wrestle with one deficiency Of $50, 6,000,-
600. This is on account of pensions.
The appropriations for pensions for the
next year must be not less than $780,
100000. 1t is, therefore, easy arithmatic
to perceive that the appropriation that
congress must make for pensions at the
next session must aggregate not less
than Sl86, 100000. This tremendous sum
would of itself be enough to run
reasonable government. One would not
complain if it were an honest debt, but
a large portion of it is not a debt, be.
cause ii was never earned by an act of
patriotism or heroic service. The gov.
ernment is held up and despoiled of no
mean portion of this, and it seems help
less to defend it. One cannot help
being curious to know how many more
years it will take to exhaust the genera
ton which feels itself injured by the
war. 1t is safe to say that never did a
generation display such remarkable
longevity"
A short time previous to the meeting
of the national encampment of the
Grand of the Republic in Washington,
Mckinley said
The Union soldiers and sailors are
now veterans of time as we'll as of war.
The parallels of age have approached
close TO the citadels of life, and the end
for each Of brave and honorable
struggle is not remote. Increasing in
firmity and years give the minor tones
Of sadness and pathos to the mighty
appeal Of service and suffering. The ear
that does not listen with sympathy. and
the heart that does not respond with
generosity are the ear and heart Of an
alien and not of an American. Now,
soon again, the surviving veterans are
to parade upon the great avenue OF the
National capital, and every tribute of
of honor and love should attend the
march. A comrade in the column of
the victors in 1865, am not less COM
rade now"
Looking at this matter from the stand
point Of reason, it must be conceded
that the old soldiers who take the pains
to inform themselves in this direction
will be almost unit in support of the
illustrious soldier and statesman, Will.
liam Mckinley.