The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-12
GRAND ARMY IN POLITICS.
srEECHEs or THE COMMANDER-IN-
CHIEF AND COMMANDER NAY.

political influence OF tho Grand Army. ofths
Republic was initiated last evening at the
Seventy -nrst Regiment ArmorY where the
lO2 posts OF the q. A. II. OF New York
city gave a reception to Chief
Gen. Albert d. shaw. Department Commander
Col Joseph w. Kay OF this state and Commo-
dore John H. starin. The occasion was chosen
to present to Mr.. Starin large silver loving
cup purchased for him by veterans of 1881 D
and given In remem brance oil his manv kind
nssses tho inscription said. The presentation
speech was made by Gen. Shaw. who re-
ferred to Mr.. Starins annual excursion given
to the veterans as an evidence OF HE Kindness.
thouRhtfulness and patriotism. Mr.. starin sI-
pressed his thanks and said that he wished the
value OF the cup might have been given to the
old soldiers instead Of to him.
Gen. Shaw said that he had som ethinR to say.
not only to the men mbled, but to all the
@. A. II. and to the people OF the country as
well. Thsrsfore he had written his speech
and sent II to the newspapers and to the jour
nal Of the organization.
DEN. sHAw's SPEECH.
Gen Shaw said In part: 1T 10 my desire at
New York to make plain my position as your
Commander Chief on the important duss-
"our volunteers saved the Union. and gave
freedom to an snslaved race. Their majestic
. monuments the government their vnlor pre-
served. All our present proud national posses
sions OF great dee,in and great msmories. won
in rsestabiishing the authority OF the Govern
. sad history OF lost liberties had it not been
You and me- dear friend.
For you And me.
And MS We meet to-day goodly company
of veteran survivors OF the grandest crusade OF
the centuries-to take counsel together re:
garding the important subject OF pensions, l
know voice tho feeling OF every one present
when say That all we demand is Justice. and
d cs MS when is n na S dsny y
patriots, and unworthy OF American citizens.
In dealing with our rcn1ion policy. 1t 4, gladly
conceded That our American pension roll 10 the
most generous among nations. Our hearts are
warmed 10y the sentiment OF generous Justice,
the past thirty-thres years. The laws nre
all right. What l wish to make clear !.
the Pension Department nre unjust. not con-
forming to the fair construction and shirt of
our pension laws. md unworthy OF being al:
lowed TO stand as representing the policy of
a Government saved from overthrow ty the
aid OF the very veterans whom il all too SLOWLY
action on needy and worthy applications las
been DELAYED in great hers, in the Pension
Dspartment, cannot be doubted. And its lack
OF judicial fairness and force bv such adminis-
tration OF the law Ia equally un1uestionnble;
snsg sm9d nS
delay. Of uniu- regulation. and ' SnRa,r +.
an anger-d sorrowiug force OF unse,nsh pa
triots VIII ask the reason why, in the right way
pTovder. when exercised in mere words: and and
gratitude has not yet ceased TO he measured
by fayors passed, a. it onpscrs in evidence. so
but / cannot say les; and loot my
the SOC so-caIl.d Bennett Dsclson' revoE K
ing Order No. ~, the National Com
known to all men the decIslon was horn at a
time when it was necessary TO reduce public
expenditures in order to adjust the same to
lion, constituting. asst did, she largest item OF
ssDsnStp5s the mot con-
y clean balance The -" Bennett Decs lon"
and thus the Hood Of the soldiers became the
zee | al the surplus. Comment isu unnecessary.
ns @ statement MS% nen How iose Th Hra
how long. shnl! this policy Of evasion dominate
the proplcs lust and liberal intentr
shame on this Ou'cry against an increased
pension cxperditure. under present laws. No
one who knows well all the resources Of our
ability, to nay Nil Just .rcnsions applied for
by Us defenders and shvinLs without any fnan.
hat a n. cry W ,ra @n ne no doubt
sharks and the like. has brought down upon
the veterans and pensioners of he Union fierce
eriticisms-as unteservcd as they have been
cruel and even hruta in great number OF cases
This organize pan q deiamaton--ior such IL
res with It 'ingratitude ard injustice OF the
basest sort; sort, PiGsid%nt Cleveland listered
What was the result! briefly this; After " The
expenditure OF nearly mil ion OF dollars np.
Sestrstion to verify this claim e q weRn s
irau's in every town and hamlet. the sum
heroic crusade to make a case with all tho
drastic power Of the Government behind e.
proved concpnsiiyely that the pension roll was
L. world ia han
the roll OF churches or OF insurance com ia n les
orot tho Professions or any charitable orGani.
II was asked yesterday II there were not
'bummers aud frauds Oh the pension roll and
true hat among the ~ sacrifices s "o OF The I s
Great War moral weaknesses OF n sad sort
Army lie helps or hurts the manly nHre II
men; az rule, our war grandly devslopad
and br1adened vast majority OF the Veterans
morally. and their bnrisn OF life has
been been a constant sacrifice ever since.
Which is the dears"t sl't Of God 't to the the
bnn Of ,
their valor In theiry outh hoped to save In their
after helpIessness, tho Goyernment they de-
them PENSIONS ip lheIr time Of n"si' As sn":
broken down through the temptations OF a
wards Of tho nation in whose defence they
sadly wandered downward into the shades. 1t
IL tnuN clenT thhl tnOSe VINO are, let US hope,
unthinkingly criticised. are the most entitlei
to charitable acts and words.
To sum 1t all up, the burden Of ompaint is
against the enforcement NJ rule No. 225 and
the widows clause barring pensions ut an
income % 500 year. Neither. as we believe
II In keeping with the spirit OF the law A
soldiers " idow should not he permitted 10 sui
fer In this land OF plenty, and We stouty insist
that rule 225 should be abrogated and rule
No 1914 re established.
AT time when tho saviors OF the country
need most the beneicent pensions p!edg-l TO
them when they volunteered, In view Of the
wealth OF our national Inheritance, there
should be but one sentiment, l. e-that OF A
prompt. generous and lust granting .of pen.
slons to oil who are worthy and needy under
present laws: What Is needed. and what Is not
now enforced. Ia to have the present psn sion
laws administered IN their plain. simple CON
btructivN intent-without any Rttem ut to limit
expenditures plainly authorized in their on act.
ment: and let all financial responsibility there
for rest upon Congress. where. it properly be-
longs;
for carrying out the present liberal pension
laws; this is the duty Of our sta ssmen. Ours
Is the rixht to enjoy the iul! fruiton NJ n noble
appreciation OF our services. lttingly eXprsssol
through laws passed for the aid and comfort OF
poor and deserving veterans
The cheers OF n multitude. ms thu veterans
painfully march in the parade OF honor carry
~ M n md npt, fNrt f,H al. T,.i.'