The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-02

peech b Congress l5lh December, lsl7.


PENSIONS TO SOLDIERS WIDOWS.
Speech in Congress 18th December, 1917.
Some Of the pensions which have been
granted, have already expired, and others will
expire, probably, before the session OF Congress
closes. Amongsi the latter is tina, which was
granted TO the widow and orphan Of the late
brigadler General PlxE. IN descending the
Ohio river, (sald Mr., H. the eye Of the inqui,i-
I'VE stranger Is attracted by the humble dwelling
winch shelters the widow and orphan Of that
distinguished hero. Should his curiosity carry
him further, and he should be induced TO visit
the abode OF this interesting family, he would
nnu, however humble the exterior, that neatness,
frugal hospitality, and comfort, were to be found
within ITS walls; that the lady had expended
proper portion OF her pension in the pious plir-
pose Of educating her daughter. But, (said Mr..
H.) II the visit should be repeated al the end Of
year, and the law which the resolution con-
tenpiated should not pass, il would be found that
the comforts Of which he had spoken had fed,
or That the'means Of procuring them were obtain
ed by the personal exertions Of the lady herself.
From my knowledge Of her situation, (said he
can state with confidence, that her dependence
rests for comfortable support upon the gene
rosity-nd, sir not on the generosity but on the
justice ofIthis nation--for can there be, under
Heaven, juster claim than that which is pre-
scented By The widow under such circumstances?
In fighting your battles she has lost a husband
he has BLEED that his country might be great,
might be free, might be happy But our advan-
tage has been to her an insuperable misfortune
II has thrown her,
On the wide world without that only tic
For which she wished to live, feared TO die
" Il it our duty to supply, as far as we can sup
ply the loss she has sustained. There are other
cases, sir which form the strongest claims
upon the honor and the justice of the ma
ton. Let me not be told (said Mr. H. that the
Government has performed its contract by Civ
ing the fiveyears' pension which was provided al
the commencement of the war; Sir, the contract
was all on one side, and it would have been inn
material what had been its provisions The
noble spirits OF ALLEN, Of HART, and of PIKE,
would have met your enemy with as much zeal
and devotedness as if the provision for their
families had been such as they would have die
tated. No personal consideration would have
withheld them from the field of glory But
said Mr.. II. there are moments when the
claims of nature will have their full effect.
have seen (said he the wounded and expiring
warrior in that awful moment when the martial
ardor which had filled his bosom had been sus-
pended by the pain which he felt--when, the
sacrifice, being made, naught Of public duty re-
manned TO be performed-fhen il was. sir. that
the thoughts Of his family would fiji him with
the greatest solicitude A beloved wife and chill
dren left frlendless and unprotected--the latter
without the means OF education, and both with
out support. In such situation have heard
amidst the fervent aspirations to Heaven for
their happiness, consoling hope expressed
that has country W0uH not forsake them. Shall
we, sir, not realize that hope2 Should our conn
try be engaged in another war, let us commence
II with the benedictions Of the widow and the
/ NJ a.
ascend TO Heaven charged with accusations
against your justice and humanity. But said
Mr. II. am anticipating thing which cannot
happen--the resolution will pass, as will law
that will be reported in obedience to it."
KoscrusKo..
Speech in Congress 2lst January, 1918:
The public papers have announced an event
which is well calculated to excite the svmnatbv
OF every American bosom. KoscIusKo, the mar
tyr OF liberty, is no more. We are informed
that he died at Soleure, in France some time in
October last.
In tracing the events Of this great mans life
we Ind IN HIM that consistency Of conduct which
Is the more to be admired as il il so rarely IN he
met with. lie was not al one time the friend of
mankind, and at another the instrument Of their
oppression; but he preserved, throughout his
whole career, those noble principles which dis
tinguished hun IN Its commencement-whic
influenced HIM, at an early period of his life, TO
leave ms country and his friends, and in another
hemisphere to fight for the rights of humanity.
Koscusko was born and educated in Poland
Of noble and distinguished famiy-a country
where the distinctions in society are perhaps
carried TO greater lengths than in any other. His
Creator had, however, endowed him with soul
capable Of rising above the narrow preiudiccs of
caste and breaking the shackles which vicious
education had imposed on his mind
When very young he was informed by the
voice of fame that the standard of liberty had
been erected IN America-that an insulted and
oppressed people had determined to be free, or
perish in the attempt. His ardent and generous
mind caught with enthusiasm, the hoiy flame
and from that moment he became the devoted
soldier of liberty.
g His rank In the American army afforded him
no opportunity greatly TO distinguish himself
But he was remarked throughout his service for
all the qualities which adoIn the human cha
racter. His heroic valor in the field could only
be equaed by his moderation and affability in
the walks of private life. He was idolized by
the soldiers for his bravery, and beloved and re-
spected by the officers for the goodness of his
heart, and the great qualities of his mind.
Contributing greatly. by his exertions, to the
establishment of the independence Of America
he might have remained. and shared the bless
ings il dispensed, under the protection of chief
who loved and honored him, and in the bosom
Of a grateful and afiectionate people.
koscusco had, however, other views. II is.
not known that, until the period am speaking
OF, he had formed any distinct idea Of what
could, or indeed what ought to be done for his
own But in the Revolutionary war he drank
deeply of the principles which produced il. In
his conversations with the intelligent men Of our
country, he acquired new views of the science
Of government and the rights of man. He had
seen, too, that, TO be free il was only necessary
that o nation should will il; and, to be happy, It
was only necessary that nation should be