The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-19

common country There is but one. There IS very
favor Of surviving soldiers OF the war Of 1912 and OF
the Indian wars in I790 All the living soldiers are en-
titled to bounty land; the dead are not But why not
There j. strong argument against il, in the minds OF
some, in political point OF view. What isni The
surviving soldiers Of the Of 1912 and Of the Indian
wars are upon land and can minge IN our eectons ana
vote upon the first Monday in October at your elections
ior me various IN Congress- ana iof ffes
and hence i IS that 6s voice IN favor Of his rights never
influences the actions OF the representatives OF the people
The sailor does not except rarely enjoy his right 70 the
elective franchise because he Is mostly out oil hs coun
try and merely sails around the shores OF It, He is not
10 enjoy the common advantages which soldiers upon
land enjoy because he cannot vote for representatives
There Is no necessity for relieving hm but is those
Now, make no comparison between the army and
navy They both discharged their duty most gallantly
and patrioucally during the war OF 1872 Where, sir,
will we lind such battles and such engagements upDn sea
as those that occurred during that wari Did not the
egy 10 the power of this country. and give courage 70
every mani And yet because these sailors not the
subject q your hospitaes you cannot extend
But, Mr. President, what do we hear argued upon this
floor That the sailors are entitled to all they get
s o. auins Inc var WIN h common
! them. My friend from Mississippi and my friend from
Floridaone Of them representing soldier upon land,
and the other the seamanae very naturally divided IN
their sympahes, for the soldier and the other for the
sailor Now, sir, happen to be one OF those who rep
resent both classes served both upon sea and upon
known in my native State The governor, being COM
mander OF the army and navy of Georgia. deputed me
in 1896 10 command the navy, and did it; and when
heard my friend from Florida speaking about the canoe
really thought he going 10 bring up my case
Perhaps the chairman OF the Committee on Military Az
ars also intended toreer 10 i The fact was, Mr. Pres-
canoes Of Indians. [Laughterl And my friend from
Mississippi asks the question OF the senator from For
da whether these canoes were turned over TO the gov
ernment Why, sir. can answer that question !
turned them all 10 the government and did not get
single dollar out Of their. proceeds, [Langhter
Mr. DAVIS llnterIoslng2 think the gentleman i be-
longs to the naval militia, not included In this amend
men and the very class for which have been strug-
sSE upon HawdoSS his oSpesSa %a j. -. a.,o,,,;o,
made OF The canoes in my own State, Now, ought you
to deprive the sailors under my command who rendered
great service to the country, OF the right they would
have had il they had been upon land appeal 70 your
beray TO extend your acts OF justice to the sailors OF
Mr.. YULEE, dnierposing) I would suggest that in
canoes 10 the government, they probably turned them
Mr.. DAWSON. No. Sir they were not even capsized
will come back to the principle again. We propose to
reward these people for services rendered Where is the
difference between the two services rendered in defence
OF the country IN the and in the other case Where
Is the dfeeice in the character oil the men Whence is
il that your commodore is not entitled to much lIber
aliiy ar Your commanding general! Look at his priva
ton Years upon sea, away from his family, subject TO
every cline and every disease Look al the common
soldier and the common sailor at the risks they encoun
ier and see which gives most consideration to the coun
try Tor the compensation be receives Each OF them dis
charges his duty, and make contrast between them
but all say IS do justice TO both. Place them both upon
the same fooihng. Recolec il is not legal but moral
obligation existing on the part Of this government to pay
the additional compensation. is gratniiy; and
when you, common fund holder, dispense a common
charity this gratuity-l ask upon what authority
you undertake TO discriminate You can show none;
your reasoning powers fail to discriminate for justice de-
nies that there can be any discrimination Then repeat
II the man who was three monhs-as many OF US have
beenn defending the frontier, shall be entitled TO
tract OF land and The man who has fought perhaps twenty
battles glorously upon sea- in defence OF our common
country, is not TO be rewarded also, the discrimination
will not bear The test OF reason
Then look again at this bill, and il shows you that it
should receive the disapprobaton OF every man. and es
pecaly OF every woman in this country and whyl You
services the foundation OF the reward and yet
confne this bill to the Surviving officers and soldiers As
said the other day, was with b, and fought galany
side by side in the defence Of country but when they
home, dies OF disease, and survives Now, you
give consideration to because he survives, but you
deny TO the widow and children OF any consideration
whatever and yet you call this justice and libera.y
You provide for your living constituents, who can vote
for or against you but you pay no regard TO the dead
and their descendants 60 away without anything
There IS want OF justice-a want Of high, honorable,
chvafc feeling-in the provisions OF this bill He who
forces this bill through, saying there should be no amend
ment 10 il, merely wants TO benefit living man. disre
gading the rights OF the dead and The rights Of the
sailor There is nothing in this bill that command
admiration and respect is yioatve OF every prln
cple and feeling thar springs spontaneously from the
heart OF man whenever the subject is presented Sup
this should have been the year $780, instead OF 1850,
and this bill was about TO pass and II should be said
upon this floor that halt OF the who fought glo
rousy in defence OF their country in the war OF 1919 had
died. and that you about TO give this bounty land
The Surviving soldiers and not 10 the widows and chill
dren oil those who had died and when you asked
what is the difference in the services Of the two widow
should rise up and say, "Dd not my husband render
vices and will you desert me and my children and give
all 10 the Surviving soldiers Why, sir, you would
dare to make The discrimination Then Is unjust vio.
only propriety you show the fact that the poor
widow cannot vote at your election, but the surviving
soldier can There is the principle, and II IS needless 10
conceal IL and " my desire that the country should
know IT. have announced already that will sustain
bill that founded upon principle nequable and
yioaiye Of the equality of rights and unless tins bill
shall be amended that common justice shall be done 10
the common defenders oluur county, shall not receive
my appreciation. We talk about partial legislation Tor
to benefit portion Of the country al the expense oil
another-bu here you benehns the living at the ex
pense Of the rights OF the dead.
Mr. President, do not desire 10 argue this point any
further intended 10 have argued IL fairly and fully
upon an amendment that have TO propose 10 this bill II
amendment which will commend Itself, am sure,
to the judgment and approval OF this body hat amend
ment wll be, TO do justice 10 the widow and children
The man who has been in the defence OF his country and
who, because he unfortunately died. are TO be denied the
consideration which you propose to give in this bill
MIR. SHIELDS did not wish TO interrupt the honor
able gentleman in his remarks because thought II might
dSappolnt him in preventing him from saying all he IN