The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-07
THE DAILY UNION



hradOm .and bowling to the rassaass Of ",Onsrehea
government
Such sentiments are worthy to be written in char
acters Of gold eneased in frame OF silver, and TO
be suspended in the halls Of our national legisa-
ture where they might act with talisnanie influence
on those who ready with the cry of"I object
whenever bill is reported 10 pension an old i0orn-
oi oeisrdn, or the Representative OF deceased sol
dier,
Why is il, whenever bill of this character is
brought before Congress asking for a small moiety
rom the treasury treasury which the services,
sufferings, and blood OF these men have procured
the means Of fIlng-that the cry Immediately goes
forth, ~ object" or she is an inlposiOT," "giye us
proof Of his honesty, - &C.. Proof though the APP
plicant may be SCARED and multlated. Proof that
his own hand did not inaict those scars, that
he did not "aiGen has olon knee and cut Q6 his
| oton arm to get pension" Well might the man
who had stood uiaOrsd amid the dead and dying,
who had faced the ball and bayonet with cheek
unblanched, "bufst into tears and weep like
child" when, with the unquestlonable "prootS" he
brings on his person, he finds that his honor and
integrity are doubted. All! who but soldier, or
he of manly feeling, realize the agony Of soul
causing his heart TO bleed over national ngrattude
We have seen such tears fall down the face Of the
warworn soldier not only, but over the paid check
Of the bereayed representative when, in reply to her
prayer, the has been, "Send her atea for she
lroublsth u.s."
The fault it would appear, lies mainly at the Pen
sion Office, where the presentation Of old soldier
generally is an object usighty as death pale
horse and where, il a case il admitted the allow
snce seems to come forth With lingering and re-
luctant hand the missr's who draws money
| from his Golfers.
We would respectfully ak our honorable legisla-
tors for whom did these men suffer and die Who
purchased for the bls~ings and privileges we en-
ioy' Who are they III bsse fallen on the field at
DyI,oa, N;ao.,a - t,o.;S.I .na n..rI,, -.
original State in the Unionl Well may the cold.
ness with which the government looks upon this SUBJ
jeet be styled "ertisig in The srtrsmshs blacklist in
gratitude"
Was it for this that the soldier forsook his peace
full home and all the endearmens OF domestic bliss
| considering It paramount duty Was 1t for this
that the wife Of his bosom has sad-if not in audi
BILE tone, yet in yielding spirit-"Go; and return a
victor, or upon your shtstdt"
But we trust there are among those composing
our legislative body, who are the sons Of such mo-
theirs, and in whose veins flows warmly the blood
Of patriotic sires, who, like the just and generous
Wentworth, have flesh around their hearts, and
stand aoof from that miserable parsimony which,
under the gulBe Of economical TetTenchmeni sob
jee" even TO 'the msagrs plttnce doled out by our
begrudging pension laws"
We fear there is much truth in the remark
Of Mr. W., that "encasod by their SCARED and de-
crepid bodies, souls more sensitive to the honor
Of their country, than belong to the mass OF men
who do much to mould the public sentiment of the
times" We might enlarge on the truth contained
in this sentence, but 1t speaks for itself There
appear to be some occupying seats in the halls OF
Congress, If we are to judge by the feelings which
seem to pervade their minds, who, if ever drop OF
revolutionary blood did circulate through their veins
It has gone down to freezing point and con-
geacd the hearts of our countrymen; and nothing
but "car 10 the knife" and blood upon The lnisls Of
their oten dOmieiS, will make them think and act
like Just men.
Doubtless there are many dishonest applications
made to Congress by persons who may have no
claim upon the gratitude or bounty of the govern.
ment; but are all who apply to be considered i'm
postors' Are there none who are mertorious' Is
no coin to be considered genuine because some spu.
rious is circulated
Besides those who have breasted the storm in the
ancient of the revolution there are sons Of these
who, in the second ,oar for Independence and also in
Indian iodrs, fought bravely, and fell side by
side, nobly sustaining the honor of their country
and generously poured out their life's blood upon
the field Of battle. Should the disabled survivors be
branded as impostors' And are the widows of the
slain, made such by the devotion Of their husband.
to their country, to be forgotten' or only allowed
bread and water for foe years? Well may it be
asked Of the government, where is the encourage
ment of patriotism" The reply is well given. We
fear il Is grossly wanting in the political leaders OIL
We would suggest: lct the man who enters the
service of his country ada fights its bsttles on land
sea, devoung his time energies and life in guard.
ing and preserving the peace of the nation, be en-.
Outraged by knowing that if he becomes disabled
in the discharge Of his duty, he shall not be left by
his government in the days Of his helplessness, to
want and pcnury; if he falls that his tpidoc and
helpless orphans will not be driven away from the
footstool of their country with nothing but paup.r
blessing. Our government manfests too much in.
difference on this subject, and where it does act
thnra frtcftnp in Lac.
ward the old soldiers and their widows ought mol
so to BE- Let the same hberality which is extended
to our revolutionary soldiers and widows, be ex-
tended TO those who have suffered and fallen in the
subsequent toars Of the country.
We do hope that Congress will take into consid-
Grafton this subject, and view it in Just light, es.
pccialy perceive spice Of ancient chipahy still
burns and manifests itself occasionally in both boz
dies Of our national legislature and that they will
show by their action before the close of the present
session., that they ready and willing to carry
out the principles of the constitution, and encourage
the rising generation in forming principles which
will stimulate them to acts of patriotism and pirtue
MONETA.