Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-12-12

tOea not seem called Tor ny the eA's
circumstances, connected win .n,'
And in fact, there are no Vers oos'eo, 1905
nccnrr;no ,n me. why the professional nonors'
..h;.h ~ cnmm,o cases make no demand upon
m. Tre.eury. nut serve to foster those pro'es'
sional feelings, which give elevation 10 tne mn'
,,rv character. should not be efanteh' as 'neJ
have heretofore been. Under ordinary crcu"'
stapces. they would produce no pracucai opera
tion. either with relation to emolument o, eo"'
mand. When they should do either,'t wou'o os pre-
c;ssIv when their value would be enhanced oy
the very state of things, producing ms cna"se
in their operation. When tie greater exPe.t
eoce of the breyet officer would en''t'e nun ~
an enlarged command. and to corresponding
rank over those, whether IN the regular h'".
or the Militia whose qualifications, 80 TAT
these depend upon service are Tess '"aa We"
The attention Of the Army has been ifequent'
l., dr,wn IN nro;ect for the establishment OF
fund for the support Of invalid officers, ana OF
the widows and children Of such as may DIE 10
the service. The object isa commendaoie one.
and as the only aid expected OF The Government
in such legislative provision as may be necessary
N give effect to the measure, IN conformity Win
the general views Of the officers OF the Army.
!, ia certainly entitled to the favorable regaru
Of the Government. A moderate anu s'a'eu
deduction from the pay OF each ohcer wou'a ere,
ate fund, which would afford essential relief
., many. who otherwise would be exposed to
want and peuury, and might sonthe the dec'i'
ming wears of meritorious officers, who may nave
nee pssarily expended in the maintenance OF 'heie
families the whole allowance made 10 the'n oy
law, and who without such an arrangement
wuuld look forward with anxiety Tor tne future
| Whatever plan may be ultimately aduoPted, d
local organization IS essential 10 It's operation
tbo funds will bP OCOyI-
ded by the officers themselves and Tor their own
advantage. the. administration will no doubt be
committed to them, to be exercised by such per-
sons. and in such manner, as they may dIrect.-
The considerations connected with this measure,
are SO obviously just, and IN accordance WIN
the dictates of prudence aud humanity, that l
trust they will be favorably considered. Anu
also feel it my duty TO bring before you kindred
subject, connected with the rank aud nile OF the
Army, and having for its object provision Tor
the support Of soperannuated soldiers. 10 our
service, as at present organized, a so'u'er can
only BE- retained. as long as his physical powers
/ are suficien, to enable him to perform the du'
tie, required of him. When his constitution
fails. unless il is the result "of disability, IN.
CARED IN the line of his duty" he is discharged
without any revision for his support, and general
I1y, from the habits of his life without The dlsP'.
sition, and too often the power to labor anu
without the means OF support. ne " 'hen
thrown upon the charity of the community, al
ter deyo,ing the best Of his life to the service OF
his country.
This result may be easily obviated, without
| expense 10 the Gnve,nnrDt, aud an ample pro-
vision made for those discharged soldiers, VINO
are unable to procure the means of support
The orincpe which has been long and wlsri,
" sSsa wd 81 !e Isa oWa1ds
the crearlon OF fund tor this purpose. And if
this deduction werea 10 commence with those
Who might enlist after th.>passae of the law.
there could be no objections On account OF the
previous engagements formed with the soldiers.
And there are three auxiliary sources OF re,e.
nue., which may be applied towards the former
object. These are.
Fines assessed b, Courts Martial:
The pay due 10 soldiers who may die without
leaving any heirs TO claimi,:
propor ton Of the post fund, which is prin.
cipally deri, ed from tax upon settlers
IL Is beli1yed, that the means which NAV be
realized agrerably to this suggestion would be
found suflcleD, 10 provide for the maintenance
OF this class OF persons, whose condition Is now
so hopeless and so unsuitable to the character of
the Government and the feelings of the commu
nifty.
The experience Of every year adds to the con.
vIct'on, that the sooner the Indians, remaining
east OF the Mississippi. migrate to the region
west 0i that river, the sooner will they be re.
Geved from the embarrassment of their present
position, and placed in situation, where they
may physically and morally improve, and look
forward to a prosperous and permanent destiny.
All the reports, which reach the Department up.
On TINS subject, concur in the representation,
that the emsran's already there, are comforta.
BILE and conIented That the region assigned
to them Is fertile. salubrious, and as extensive,
IS they and their descendants for many genera. &
ions, can require. They are making improve. q
nents and erecting dwellings, and evidently a
aging the foundations Of social system. which q
t is to be hoped will afford them security and I
prosperity. As striking proof Of their i'm. .
'rovement, and of the quantity of provisions
aIsed among them, it may be slated tina, one Of
ne contracts for furnishing provisions has been J.
AIKEN by Choctaw, who is said to have sup. o
ny OF his own, amply sufficient to enable him TO S
meet his engagement h