Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-10
LEAGUE OF VETERANS
ORGANIZATION FORMED WITH
SEVENTY-TWO MEMBERS.
Ex- Union Soldiers and Sailors Band
ed Together as Reserve
Political Force.

Enthusiasm of the most pronounced type
marked the completion of the organization
last evening at Maccabee Hall, 9th street
between f and F streets, of Washington
Council. No. /, of the Soldiers and Sailors
Rights League. A large number OF vete-
rams were in attendance and several ring
ing speeches We're made. Washington
Council organized with seventy-two mem
bers. the officers elected being as follows:
Col. J. H, Devices, president; Michael j.
Hackett. Army and Navy Union. vice
president; John S. Dietrich, Sons of Vete-
rams secretary: NJ. II. Bacon, correspond
ing secretary; II. r. Tappan, treasurer;
W. d. YingIing chaplain, and J. P. Jones'
Sergeant-at-arms.
The general idea of the league is to band
together the eX-Union soldier element of
the United States into a political reserve
order. In an address bearing the OBJ
Jocts of the organization. Gen. Samuel r.
Strattan stated that the following ques-
uons cover about the general scope of the
information that has been sought regard
ing the league:
Purpose of the League.
rs it the intention of the Soldiers and
Sailors Rights League to endeavor to turn
the Grand Army of the Republic into a po-
litical organization and supplant it by the
league?
rs the league to be in the interests of
the republican party and under its exclu-
sive control as was the organization of
the Stars and Stripes, or is it non-partsan?
VIII Identification with the league mill
tate against an employee Of the government
in the classified service?
VIII it benefit an eX-ssiIer to identify
himself with the league and work for its
SucceSs?''
Answering these questions Gen. Strattan
said: The effect of joining the league is
not calculated to hurt nor supplant the
O. a. r.. but to help it. To do for it what
II cannot, under present conditions do
for itself. Il will damage that order no
more than it would damage the Masonic
fraternity if a member of that old organi-
Zatlon were to join the Odd Fellows, for
instance.
The order is strictly and emphatically
non-partisan. and is under the control of
no man. no clique. party sect. and will
he so maintained 10 the end. for in this lies
our greatest strength cur faith in princes
who want to use us having weakened from
past experience.
Not a Political Body.
Our intention is not to affiliate with any
party. to hold no convention to have no
candidates in the field, to elect no delega tes.
but simply to organize in such manner as
to be prepared for any emergency that may
arise in future, or correct any abuses that
may exist at present, affecting our inter-
ests as comrades. In other words, TO de-
wise means for adding strength to our
cause, to command attention instead of in
difference. to know that when we ask bread
from Congress we will not be given stone
or asking fish, to receive a serpent with
the sting of which we are perfectly famil-
lar, by reason of personal contact hereto
tore We are no more political body than
is labor union
We have determined to try the expert
ment OF uniting together a solid body of
voters. as well brothers. in a common
cause, believing that by such means we can
command the attention of the lawmaking
power of the government to better advan-
tage in the way of furthering our lawful
interests than by any other means at our
command al present.
This movement is organized with a view
to constitute simply a reserve army or
ganiZed for the sole purpose of mutual nro-
lection against raids, incursfons. unfair
treatment, unjust discrimna ton ground
less charges of ineffiCiencv REGARDING ago
rights Of pensioners. preference in accord
ance with section 1914 of the Revised Stat
utes, and other matters of minor inpor-
lance along these lines"
Col Smolinski's Address.
Col. Joseph Smolnski addressed the
meeting. saving. among other things:
The Soldiers and Sailors Rights League,
born but yesterday, as it We're. by reason of
its necessity at this time. has come TO stav,
and no power earth can now arrest its
progressive march on and onward TO VIC
tory.
The league is not an innovation; its COM
ing is not the forerunner of a new party,
for it is nOn-partisan; it knows no creeds
nor denominations; it's existence is not an
tagoniStic to the patriotic bodies It's pur-
pose is to awaken in the hearts of the peo-
pie who are its beneficiaries patriotic ap-
probation of the services rendered the
cause of American liberty by the boys of
1851
We do not ask favors; we do not ask
aims of the government we helped to save;
il owes us debt of gratitude 1t never can
pay: we are not beggars. but citizens and
soldiers. We have rights under the law.
and We believe these will be granted us
through our league. and We further believe
that We will receive the moral support of
every interviewing citizen in the land
Others who spoke were Capt. w NJ Potter
and Col. j. II. Devices. 1t was stated that
this city is to be the executive headquarter
of the organization and that branch coun-
ellis will he formed he co,rptr,-