The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-08-23
The Grand Army in Politics.

From Philadelphia Ledger, Republican.
General Dyrenforth, Commander-in CHIEF
of the Union Veterans Union, declares that
the proposed organization of the Grand Army,
together with all living soldiers of all our
wars, into distinct political party will be ac-
complished, and estimates that it will control
a numerical force of 5000, 900 votes. When
it is considered that the total popular Presi-
dental vote of 1900 for the three candidates
was less than Il, 000, 900, it will be perceived
that General Dyrenforth's prediction is at least
sanguine, if not actually Of the stuff of which
dreams are made His scheme includes in
the following of the new party not only the
veterans, but their sons, grandsons, sons-in-
law, younger brothers and nephews
The object of the organization, as set forth
with almost brutal frankness by its promoter,
is wholly selfish. Throughout bis platform
there is not single appeal to the patriotism
of those he urges to join his ranks. With such
force, be says:
ssWe could control almost every election,
and this tremendous silent force would bring
recognition from prominent politicians from
the President down, and the Union veteran
of the War of the Rebellion would be the sub
ject of admiring solicitude as long as he lives.
Voters are what we want-men or
ganized to vote in the interest of the Union
veteran
This scheme is on all tours with that ex-
plotted previously by Colonel Stratton. "The
Soldiers Political League and from pa
triotic point of view is similarly and indefen
siby sordid IF it could be consummated it
would create the most dangerous political force
which ever confronted any Government of
any country. Assuming that the organization
number not 10000 600 voters, but half that
many, it would then hold the balance fpower
as between the two great regular parties, and
elect a candidate of either that pledged him.
self to execute its rapacious policy.
Both those schemes are based on the pen
sion roll of nearly 100000 veterans, all
whom exercise the franchise. That is the
bedrock foundation of the Dyrenforth aud
the Stratton plan of depicting the Treasury by
and through new pension legislation.
No doubt there are individual cases of great
hardships among the soldiers of our several
wars, but they cannot be many as those whom
the Pension Bureau has found ineligible Con-
gress has placed, or attempted to place, upon
the roll; among those latter being a number
ofdeseriers. Itcannot be said with the shadow
oftruth that the United States has not been
just or generous, even, in its dealings with the
soldiers Of its wars. It's paying now, thirty
seven years after the war, $40, 600, 900 an
nually, or very considerably more than either
Germany or France is paying for keeping up
its great military establishment, including its
individual pension list. This country has
paid to Its old soldiers from 1866 to June 80,
1902, the enormous sum of 81, 800 600, 900,
which is exclusive of about 500, 600, 900 ap-
propriated to the expenses Of the Pension
Bureau.
Certainly these figures do not imply neglect
by the nation, nor by the politicians from the
President down., of the veterans. When or
where in the history of the world has any ma
ton made record of such generosity? The
example stands all apart from that of any
country on the face of the earth, and it should
forever silence those demagogues who con-
tend that this Republic, like all Republics, is
ungrateful.
The long pension roll, the figures we have
quoted, make it quite clear to every fair, Just
mind that there is no reason why the soldiers
and their relatives should create new party,
whose sole object is to get more and larger
pensions. Those who are entitled to go upon
the roll and can give proof of the validity of
their claims will not be kept off it. The coun-
try wishes every deserving soldier to have a
pension, but it does not want political black
mailing party to prey upon the Treasury, or.
ganized solely for sordid purposes, and which.
if clothed with the power of great numbers,
might prove a menace and danger to the Re-
public.
The veterans themselves should be the last
to join in any such movement as that pro-
posed by either General Dyrenforth or Col.
Stratton. Indeed, unless the fundamental
law of the Grand Army shall be vitality chang
ed, its members cannot participate in these
schemes, as their active participation as Grand
Army men in political organizations is pro-
hibted. Both schemes should fail, as they
both are improvident, unpatriotic and against
good public policy.