Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-06-30


expecting wives and mothers wcro looking for
the safe return Of their husbands aud sons
When To this was added the recollection, tina;
the peace of the entire West would I've broken
up, and the glory Of my country furnished II ]
iaici, you may possibly conceive che anguish
whiol my situation was calculated 10 produce.
Feeling my responsibility, personally super
vised aud directed the arrangement ofthc ar
my under my command trusted to no Co
lionel or other officer. No person bad any
hand IN the disposition OF the army. Every
step of warfare, whether for good or III, was
taken under my own direction. and of none
oihcras many who now hear me know. Wheih-
CT every movement would, or would not, pass
tho criticism of Bonaparie or Wellington,
know not but whether they would Induce
applause or censure, upon myself II must fail.
But, fellow citizens, still another motive IN
duced me to accept the invitation which had
been so kindly extended TO me knew that
here should meet with many who had fought
aud bed under my conmand--ihat | should
have the pleasure Of taking them by the hand,
an1 recurring with them, TO the scenes of the
past. | expected too, to meet with a few OF
tie great and good men yet surviving. by
whose efforts our freedom was achieved
| This pleasure alone would have been sufficient
| TO have induced my visit 10 this interesting
spot upon this equally interesting occasion -
| see my old companions here. and SEQ "a q
new oil the revolutionary veterans around me.
| Would 10 God that. 1T had ever been in my
power to have made them comfortable and
happy---ihat their sun might go down in peace.
But, fellow citizens, they remain unprovided
for-monumen,s of the ingraiiude of my
country. Ii was with the greatest difficulty
that the existing pension act was passed thro'
Congress. 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 17ol-un,l the battle was fought
upon the battle ground upon which my eye
now rests. [Mamil There never was atrea-
ty of peace with the Indians. War continued
with them from the commencement ofthc rev.
oluton until the victory of Wayne, to which
have just alluded. The great highway to the
West was the scene ofunceasing Slaughter
Then why this unjust discrimination Why
are the soldiers who terminated the war of the
revolution, in fact. excluded, while those by
whom it was begun, or portion of them, are
rewarded | will tell you why, The poor
remnant of Wayne's army had but few advo-
Gates, while those who had served in the rev.
olution proper, had plenty Of friends. Scat
tered, as they were, over all parts of the I'm
ion, and in large numbers, they could exert an
influence at the ballot-box. They could whs-
per thus in the ears of those who sought their
influence at the polls "rake care, for have
waited long enough for what has been prom
ised. The former plea of poverty can no lon
ger be made. The Treasury is now full
Take care, your seat is in danger" sob yes,
everything that has been promised shall DC at
tended to if you will give me your votes. y
In this way, fellow citizens, tardy, but partial
justice was done to the soldiers the revolu-
ton. They made friends by their influence
at the ballotbox. But it was different with
Gen Wayne's soldiers. They were but few
in number, and they had but or two hum
bic advocates to speak for them in Congress.
the result has been, Justice has been withheld !
have said that the soldiers under Wayne
greater hardships even than the
soldiers of the revolution. This is so. Every
one can appreciate the difference between an
Indian and a regular war. When wounded in |
battle, the soldier must have warmth and shell |
ter before he can recover This could always |
be secured by the soldier of the revolution. |
In those days, the latch string of no door was |
pulled IN. When wounded, he was sure to
md shelter and very many of those comforts
which are so essential TO the sick, but which |
the soldier in an Indian war cannot procure |
Instead of shelter and warmth, he is exposed |
to the thousand ills incident to Indian warfare |
ct no relief was extended to those who had |
thus suffered!
After the war closed under Wayne, | retired; |
ana when saw a man poorer than all Others |
about the land, decrepid and decay |
cd by inte importance, it was unnecessary TO
enquire whether he had ever belonged to
" ayne army. His condition was guar |
ihtee oil That was a sufficient assurance that |
ne i'ad wasted his energies among the un- |
Wholesome swamps OF the West, in the defence |
1i the rights of his lellow-cilizens, and for the
OF the honor and glory OF his |
Well, fellow-ctizens, | can only say, that |
i It should ever be in my power to pay the |
debts which is due these brave but neglected |
men, that debt shall first of all be paved. |
And am very we'll satisfied that the govern /
ment can afford it, prorided the iatcH-sf,inc
Of The treasury shall erer be more care. NH |
pnHedn IN. Perhaps you will ask me for some
proof OF my friendship for old soldiers If so.
can give II you from the records ofCongress
!" hen the fifteen hundred dollar law was re-
lealed, opposed ii, opposed changing the
1ay OF members OF Congress from six To eight
ioilars, until we had done justice TO, and pro-
'ided for, these soldiers. You will find nv
votes upon this question, among the records
d congress aud my speech upon ii, in the
published debates ui the lime.
will now, fellow-ciiizens, give you my
'eason for having refused to give pledges and
opinions more freely than have done since
ny nomination to the Presidency. Many Of
he statements published upon this subject,
ire by no means correct; but il is true that il is
my opinion that no pledge should be made by
IN individual when in nomination for any Of
ice in the gift of the people. And why