The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-03-27

Jill ehut SohS VIZ, 49,
committee to rise and he had ra-
Their the committee would rise than
place him in the embarrassing posi-
ton ofobjecting to bills that he knew
nothing about. But he was satisfied
that the old soldiers were to have
Injustice done them, and if they
could not be heard, he was determi-
ned no one should: he was glad the
remarks of the gentleman from
South Carolina had given him an
opportunity OF explaining his course
yesterday: he was afraid that some
one, (not here, but who might real
the report at distances mit,ht
construc him as one of the gentle
men on this floor who exhibit their
retrcnchment notions upon bills for
the benefit of those who did some
thing more than we do, WAC show
our patriotism by mere tax, ana do
our fighting here amid all the luxu-
ries Of the age at SO per day-of
those who left their homes, their
families, their ali, and periled their
lives for their country's liberty and
honor, and came here all covered
with scars as proof positive of their
courage, their sacrifices, and suffer
ings. He never did vote against a
soldier who made ont even a prtDsa
facic case, and he never would his
blood ran too warm in his veins at
the bare mention of the price which
these patriots of two wars paid for
our present liberties and blessings
to have him ever placed in that ca
tcgory, nor would he ever be very
strenuous about the proof: he saw
Scared veterans limping about the
capitol; he knew they were in the
war and in battle; the history of
his country had enrolled them there {:
he knew they were poor, and need
ed the bounty of government f.; this
was enough for him to know. God
forbid that he should apply all the
technicalities of the law, all the nice
and distinctive rules Of evidence. 10 de-
crepit Yodler, who had forgotten, in the
fervor Of his patriotism. everything but
the honor oi his country, and had rushed
amid every privation To It's rescue. lie
remembered the case Oi one oi the brlUe est
men living who was the only surviving
member OF certain "forlorn hope" Sc
called, tina, was despatched upon one
Of the mos, desperate errands ever plan.
ned by man. In discharge of his duty
he lost his RICH, arm. aud one OF his
knees was sllffened for life: he applied
for pension: he proved that he was in
the war, and was there wounded but
this was not enough and | was presen,
when he was told that further proof was
necessary-he must prove that he rccei-
we'd his wound in the actual discharge Of
his duty. Then, sir, saw the most su.
blime and affecting spectacle Of my life.
Isaw him, who had been the bravesi OF
ahe brave, who had stood unlnoyed
amid the dead and dying, who had faced
the ball and bayonel with cheek I'm.
blanched, burst into tears and cry ike a
child. Says he. cry no. over my own
suferings but my conntry's ingraiilude.
II is the cruelest of torures for me 10
think that my country, whose call | obey
ed, for whose honor | fought, lost NY
knee and gave up my right arm, now
doubts my honor, my integrity, my vera
city. She wants proof that dll not stiff
fen my own knee, and Gu, of my own
arm 10 get pension /; she wants proof
-grea, God of heaven! BIZ whom shall
| prove it when | alone Of all the COM
pany survived the contest, and was
saved only half man, except in this
heart Of mine that is still big with palrl.
olism, and blecds over national ingrati-
tude." This man is still unpensioned
for wan, OF proof This case. had i, been
called yesterday, would have been ohiec-
ted to by those whose notions of relrench-
menl and regard for presidents, work
such gross injustice in This ball. There
is case now before The cSmmittee on in
valid pensions--lhat Of Captain SlIas
Chalieid-where the rigid scrutiny into
the proof Of every soldiers claim exacied
by this house is working the grossest in
justice. He served through the las,
war-every body knows ,his--he Tough,
like a tiger, with perfect desperation a,
the sorte on Fort Erie and when the
American general (p. b. Porter was the
same as captured by the British, he Draw
ed all overwhelming superior force, and.
looking death in the face, he discomli,.
cd despair itself and rescued his general.
History assures us of this. Though Sc
riously wounded he was no, disabled in
this engagement; but, in removing the
wounded subsequently, he vas disabled
for life. This, too, is proven. But, sir,
it is decided tina! he can have no pension
until he proves that he was wounded IN
the actual discharge of his duty. Such
severity to these gallant spirils--,he like
of which. see indications every day,
we never shall see again. call carrying
cruelty to the last extremity, besides ey.