Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-07-09

| W Wdi. IioW MUCH InOfe naturally WOult
those feelings attach to commander situated
as was For of what materials was the
army composed which was placed under my
command? The soldiers who fought and
bled and triumphed here, were lawyers, who
had thrown up their briefs, physicians, who
had laid aside then MISUNDERSTANDING
who had put by their tools--and, in far the
largest proportion, agriculturists, who had
left their ploughs in the furrow, although
their families depended for their bread upon
their exertions, and who FASTENED to the bat
tie field to give their life to their country if il
We're necessary to maintain her rights.
could point from where now stand, to pla-
ces where felt this anxiety pressing heavily
upon nae, as Thought Of the fearful conse-
quences of a mistake on my part, or the want
| of judgment on the part of others. / knew
there, were wives who had given their hus-
| bands to the field--mothers who had clothed
their sons for battle; and 1 knew that these
expecting wives and mothers We're looking
for the safe return of their husbands and
sons. When to this was added the recollec-
ton, that the peace of the entire West would
be broken up, and the glory of my country
furnished II failed, you may possibly con-
ceive the anguish which my situation was
calculated to produce. Feeling my respons-
bility, personally supervised and directed
the arrangement of the army under my COM
mand. trusted to no Colonel or other Off
Ger. No person had any hand in any dispo-
sition of the army. Every step of warfare,
whether for good or evil, was taken under my
own direction, and Of none other, as many
who now hear me know.-Whether every
movement would, or would not, pass the criti-
eism of Bonaparte or Wellington, know not;
but, whether they would induce applause or
CenSurp. unOn mvSalf IT muSt fall
But, fellow citizens, still another motivein-
duced me to accept the invitation which had
beea so kiadly extended to me. knew that
here should meet with many who had fought
and bled under my command-that should
have the pleasure of takingshem by the hand,
and recurring, with them, to the scenes of the
past. expectedto to meet with few ofthe
great and good men yet surviving, by whose
efforts our freedom was achieved. This plea
sure alone would have been sufficient to have
induced my visit to this interesting spot upon
this equally interesting occasion. see my old
companions here, and see not few of the
revolutionary veterans around me. Would
TO God that it had ever been in my power to
have made them happy and comfortable
that their sun might go down in peace! But,
fellow citizens, they remain unprovided for
monuments of the ingratitnde of my coun-
try.
1t was with the greatest difficulty that the
existing pension act was passed through Con-
gress. But why was it restricted! Why
were the brave soldiers who fought under
Wayne excluded;-soldiers who suffered far
more than they who fought in the Revolution
proper. The Revolution, in fact, did not ter
inmate until l794-until the battle was fought
upon the battle ground upon which my eye
now rests (Miami.) There never was a trea-
ty of peace with the Indians. War continu-
ed with them from the commencement of the
Revolution to the victory of Wayne, to which
/ have just alluded. The great highway to
| the " est was the scene Of unceasing slaugh-
ter. Then why this unjust discrim ination1
Why are the soldiers who terminated the war
of the revolution, in fact excluded, while those
by whom 1t was begun, or portion of them,
are rewarded! | will tell you why. The
! poor remnant of Wayne's army had but few
advocates, while those who had served in the
Revolution proper, had plenty of friends.-
Scattered, as they were, over all parts of the
Union, and in large numbers, they could ex-
ert an influence at the ballot-box. They
could whisper thus in the ears of those who
sought their influence at the polls Take
care, for have waited long enough Cor what
has been promised. The former plea of pow
erty can no longer be made. The treasury is
now full. Take care, your seat Is in danger
Oh yes, every thing that has been promised
shall be attended to if you will give me your
votes" In this way fellow citizens, tardy,
but partial, justice was done to the soldiers OF
the revolution. They made friends by their
influence at the ballot box. But it was differ
ent with Gen WAYNE's soldiers. They were
but few in number, and they had but one OF
two humble advocates to speak for them in
Congress. The result has been, justice has
| been withheld.
have said that the soldiers under Wayne
experienced greater hardships even than the
soldiers of the revolution. This is so. Eve.
ry one can appreciate the difference between
an Indian and regular war. When wound.
ed in battle, the soldier must have warmth
and shelter before he can recover. This could
always be secured by the soldier of the revo
luton. In those days the latch string of nc
door was pulled in. When wounded, he was
sure to find shelter, and very many of those
comforts which are so essential to the sick
but which the soldier in an Indian war can
not procure. Instead of shelter and warmth
he is exposed to the thousand ills incident t.
Indian warfare. Yet no relief was extended
to those who had thus suffered!
After the war closed under Wayne, / Ietir
ed; and when saw man poorer than al
others, wandering about the land, decrepit
and decayed by intemperance, it was unne
) cessary to enquire whether he had ever be
longed to Wayne's army. His condition wa
guarantee of that-was sufficient assur
ance that he had wasted his energies anon!
the unwhosome swamps of the West, in tn
defence of the rights of his felow-citizens
and for the maintenance Of the honor ant
frln nj