The National tribune., 1898-02-03
AN OPEN LETTER.
Hon. HENRY CLAY EVANS,

VOID OF comfort and cheer from YOU
no rebuke to the calumnies of their
| enemies.
1t is true that Of late none of their
assailants have been claiming to get
their figures directly from you. This is
some gain, but it is very far short of
what the veterans feel that they have a
right to expect from YOU.
There is one powerful consideration
why you should speak the truth in their
defense, which we have not yet presented
10 vou.
This tempestuous assault upon the
veterans is infinitely dangerous to the
country from patriotic standpoint.
The safety Of this country rests wholly
and entirel Y upon the willingness of its
men to defend lis institutions and laws
against all enemies and opposers what
socyer, either foreign or 3estic," as
on! old oath of enlistment ran The Sc
Guilty Of every mans life, the value of
ever dollar Of property in the country
de- ends IN the most absolute manner
upoa the readiness of the young men to
sac rice everything, and go to the rescue
of the country at any time it shall be
Threatened BY serious danger. For ex-
annie, what value would there be to the
hundreds Of millions of capital concen-
tra,ed in New York and other cities, to
the / s., GEO miles of railroad gridironing
the continent, to the busy factories, to
the thousand and one forms of enter
prise were it not for the confidence that
the young men Of the country stand
ready to sacrifice themselves to fight and
die, if need he, for the maintenance of
its laws?
This TRADE is direct and deadly
blow at this supremely essential public
spirit 1t is vehement presentation to
the present generation Of the men who
did this service TO the country in its day
of greatest trial, as a despicable gang,
actuated by no high principle, and
mercenary and contemplate in all
phases and performances. No distinc-
ton is made. All on the pension roll,
or outside Of it, are branded alike Ten
thousand words are written about de
serters,' bountyiumpers," "cofFee-
coolers, shirks,' "men who never saw
battle" big-bounty men" ETC., ETC.,
where one is spoken of the brave deeds
and unselfish sacrifices of the men who
put down the rebellion.
The present generation may be called
upon at any time to perform similar
service to that required Of its fathers
more than 80 years ago. Is any young
man likely to leave his farm or his trade,
with the prospect before him Of being
rewarded in his old age, as his father is
now, by being made the mark Of con-
slant stream of ob!oquy? Is he not
likely, rather, with the remembrance of
all this contumcly fresh in his mind, to
decide to allow the Government to do
the best it can without his help? And
where is the Government going to get
help, if not from him. If he decides to
stay at home Is not anarchy come
What, then, will become CT the property
and investments Of your particular
friends in New York, who are instigat-
ing this concerted defamation of the
veterans?
We believe that from this standpoint
alone high duty devolves upon you.
1t is every Americans patriotic duty to
foster healthy public spirit in all WAYS
that he can. Your official position
makes this duty particularly incumbent
upon you.
You are in place that gives you the
most extensive and accurate information
az TO the character and services Of the
men who put down the rebellion.
Every day that you devote TO your
duties there must come under your
notice volumes of conclusive and con-
vincing evidence of the courage, utter
selfsacriiice, and unwavering loyalty Of
the young manhood Of lS61-'65. You
know-for you cannot help knowing
that this was the rule among them to