Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-04-13


ry pensions; aud above all, his strenuous exer-
lions in hehalf Of the claims of the surviving Off
GERS and soldiers of the Revolution.
II the % Dec. 1916 that Harrison took his seat
liho House Of Representatives the 9th, he was APP
oined chairman Of the committee on military afAirs;--
md the 9th being the first day after the organization Of
he House he move the following resou lion in which tho
rader will perceive the germ Of the provision erwards
ide fr the surviving officers and soldiers ofthe Royou
onary
"Resoiped. That the Military Committee be in.
.trlcted to report bill providing by law for the
relief OF such of the officers und soldiers who,
rot having received wounds or disabilities whilst
actual service are excluded from the benefits of
he pension laws"
On presenting this resolution, Gen. Harrison
said, at had been his intention to offer with this
resolution some observations upon the matter TO
the House: but, understanding TINT this course
WIS not considered wholly proper en- originating
a motion. he should reserve his remarks for anoh-
err stage of the business. lie did so with the less
reluctance, since any remarks lie should have
made would have been with view 10 enlist the
feelings of the House. and he felt, on reflection,
convinced that such remarks must he wholly I'M
necessary OF this occasion, and that THE HEART OF
EVERY AMERICAN WOULD BEAT II UNISON WITH
rHE OBJECT HE HAD IN VIEW. lie had made the
resolution 0s broad as possible, that il might afford
20 the committee n choice of The various modes
mtted to Them"
The resiuuna was agreed TO- tantiay ofered1
nut owing To The pressure 81 business Of more immediate
rgcncy nothing definite was done upon the subject Al
hr session 1877 -ls President Monroe brought for
ward this matter in his message using almost the very lam
nage oil Harrison at The preceding session. A b, was
hen reported by Gen Bloomfield, IN accordance with Gen
ism and 18th received the of both Houses:
It pension of March Is, 1918. In the same
session, in addition tho pension Gen. Hdrtson gave
MS jealous support to other measures efs similar
character. Dec l5 1917 he introduced re,ou.ionto
nue. the relief the widows and orphans Of officers and
"iers wlr killed wounded IN tbs latc'War. On
this ub ec he said.
"Soine of the pensions which have been grant.
ed have already expired, and others will expire,
| probably before the session of Congress closes.
| Amongst the latter is that which was granted to
the widow and orphan of the late Brigadier Gen.
Pike. Iu descending The Ohio river, (sail Mr.
I) the eye o the inqnishive stranger is attracted
by the humble dwelling which shelters the widow
and orphan OF that distinguished hero. should
his curiosity carry him further, and lie should be
induced 10 visit The abode Of this interesting iami-
IIy he would find, however humble the exterior,
tl,u neainess frugal hosptn ity, and comfort, were
to I've found within lis walls; that the lady had ex-
pended proper portion OF her pension in the pi-
aus purpose of edurating her daughter. But,
said Mr. II il the visit >onh he repeated nj tie
n end Of year and the law which Tie resolution
contemplated should not pass, it w"nid he found
that the comforts of which he had spoken had
fled, or that the means at procuring them were
Obtained 10y the personal exerlions oit,e Indy her
| self. From my lnnwedgr of her Sitiiaiinn, SAID
he1 can state with contiencr that her DEEPEN
dpnce rests, for comfortable support, upon the
generosity no, sir, not on the eenerosi'y-bnt on
the in. lice of this nation for can III re he under
Heaven, sier claim than that which Is pre- sent
ed nv Il widow under such circumstances In
fighting your lates size has lost Il husband. tie
has bIed that his country might he great, might he
r Il, II Ina
b zen u her an insuperahe misfortune. 1t has
thrown her
r 'on tho vide world without That only tie
For which she wished to i've or ga Ell to die.
ct is our duty 10 supply, as far as we can sup.
ply, the loss she has sustained. There are other
cases, sir, which form the sirnngrest claims upon
| ie Justice aud the honor of the milton. Let me
not he told said Mr. II that the G ,vernfnen has
performed its contract NV giving the five years PEN
I. sion which was provided at the commencement Of
the war. Sir, the contract all on side, and
= il would have been imnate.ial what had been its
n prov 'iol's. The noble spirits OF Allen, Of Hart
II pHtl Of Pike, would have met your enc ny with as
: mn III zeal aud eviedness as if the provision for
: their families had been such as they would have
dictated. No personal consideration would have
h withheld them from the field of glory. but, (said
Il MIR. n.y. there ARE moments when the claims OF Ma.
ture will have their full effect. ave SEEN (Sai,l
hey the wounded and expiring warrior in that aw.
iul moment when the martial aror which had
c filed his bosom had been suspended by the ain
;. which he fe - when, thu sacrifice being made,
nau.ht of public duty remained to he performed
n then it was, sir that the Thoughts of his family
n would fill him with the greatest sollrudc. be-
T. loved wife and children left frendless and unpro.
II lecred the latter without the means ofeducatlon,
and both without support In such n situation,
e have heard, amidst the fervent aspirations 10 iieav-
en- for their happiness, consoIing hope expressed
Is that his country ,cDud not orsnke them. Shall we
q sir not realize that hope? Should our country be
= engaged in another war, let Us commence II WIN
= the benedictions OF the widow and the orphan up
@ on our heads. Let not their prayers ascend TO
Heaven charged with accusations against your
= Justice and humanity But, (said MIR. Ill., l am
anticipating a thing which cannot happen the
N resolution will pass, as will a law that will be re-
=, ported in obedience to H."
If The rhus aud supported by Gen. Harrison
1, vas adopted nen. con.
ii Dec, l. ls6.-Thn bill granting pension TO Gen. Johr
sark Of SKY dollars month belns IN lis passage, and
meeting with objection
:, Gen. Harrison said his friend from Georgia
= Mr.. t'nbh) rouid not nave been present Wheh 'bis
sub set had been ef,re the House at the last ses'
son or he would not have Tsked The information
which he NOW desired. lie had supposed his
= friend from Georgia better acquainted with
" he history of his country than not 10 know the
merits and distinguished Revolutionary services
" | Of this hnnry veteran. Al The darkest period OF
" the Revolui on, Grnrral Stark Ind rendered The
: most important services TO his country and those
services were mol occasional, but were prolonged
!, ~ the close Of the contest. IL WINS now said that
this worthy was in inlIsrnt circumstances, aud
;. debiated by old age that, it not soon bestowed
he would not live To enjoy the MI l,roi'osed tn he
, afforded To him. WINS II possible (Alr. IL. asked
I, That mn American Congress could behold so lila
" ngulscd patriot as he is sinking INFO the grave
4 ~ want oi every necessary ot Lille : or ihaI they
:, '"rld cody place him aiming the mass OF pen
n 'ioncrs under the general act Of the hast sess"
. For his pari, General II. said, he would give out
Il the last dollar In the Trra ury, il necessary
;, for The relief nf General Smk. " iih him, lac
. ail, it was not matter of choice to vote Tor The