The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-10-11
From the Nashville Union.
GOV. POLK & REVOLUTIONARY
PENSIONERS.

A most ungenerous and iliberal
charge has been put in circulation
through the whig press against Gov.
Polk, alleging, that while in Congress
he voted against granting pensioners
and relief to surviving officers and SOL
diers OF the Revolution. Never was
a charge more fa'se, or made from
more shameful motives. The sub
joined article. from the Tennessee
Democrat, of the 3rd instant, giving
special reference to the journals Of
Congress, and quotation from q cir
cular letter of Gov. Polk, fully and
clearly disproves this charge. Give
the article an attentive perrsaI. Let
the wings read it, and blush for the
disingenuousness Of their leaders,
Here it is:
WHlG NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
We had occasion in our paper of
July, 1914, to state in general teIms
that James X. Polk. during his whole
service in Congress, had voted for and
advocated the most liberal extension
Of the pensiun system to the soldiers
of the revolution. We now refer to
his recorded votes on the Journal 10
prove the fact stated to be true. We
do not do this, because it is necessary
here, in his old congressional dis,
trict where every man of his former
constituents knows the fact to be so,
but because the most reckless Of the |
whig press are making garbled state
ments, grossly falsifying the record,
and misrepresenting him, to be used as
we suppose, in other states, whose peo-
pie are not SO familiar with lis course.
When Gov. Polk entered Congress
in December, 1926, the pension laws
then in force, embraced only a small
portion of the officers and soldiers of
the Continental line, or regular army.
The militia volunteers and State troops
were all unprovided for. At the ses-
sion of Congress OF 1855, bill was
before Congress to extend the pension
laws-pending the consideration of
that bill (see journal, page 50oO "a
motion was made by Mr.. Tucker of
S. c." THAT the said bill be recon-
mitted to the committee by which it
was reported; with instructions to
amend the same as to make provisions
for all the officers and soldiers, who
served in the revolutionary war, for {
six months or more at any one time ,
and who are not now on the pension
list; and also for the widows of such =
officers or soldiers as were slain while +
in service or have since died. i
For this amendment Gov. Polk vo- y
ted. At the same session a pro posi- y
ton was before Congress (see Journal, {
page $3.50 providing for the more equit.
able operation Of the acts granting =,
pensions for revolutionary services
A motion was made to amend this
proposition by including within the o
of the pension laws ''all state D
roops and militia, so that the several =
PROVISIONS of the acts of the 18Th of Il
March, 1918, and first day of May 1920 y
hall be extended to and comprehend OF
md embrace all state troops and mali
ia, &C." te
A motion was made to lay the bill
nd amendment on the table, which to
revailed. Gov. Polk voting against pr
MS motion. W
At the session of 1867. pension tn
i'll was before the house; proposition su
'as made $50 to amend The same rs to sh
lake provisions for all the officers and pr