The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-24

IT. IN. I
campaign there not officer ora soldier who turned
his back upon the enemy but every man, whether officer
or soldier discharged his duy and those who died. died
and many Of them have left children, why select
case and leave thousands OF other poor children unpro
vided for! My symrathles were excited as heard my
friend from ilnos INT snrLDsl speak o. wna' ns mad
legislation. but must adopt and follow some other prin-
eipe. Any OF this kind. il followed out. would
bsggar this government and all the money we could col
ect would not be sufficient 10 be paid out 10 maintain
and educate the children OF deceased officers and soldiers
think this government has been as liberal as any one
on earth in pensonng those who fought the battles Of
country. And shall not now object 10 this II you
will say that you will establish general principle, and
let the country understand that they are 10 be taxed
TO support the children OF every poor olcer ana solder
who has died.
But cannot why poverty should give TO the children
OF any advantage the children OF b, who Tell IN
battle, but had some little property TO leave 10 his children
We have no power TO make any such distinction these
pensions are Tor the purpose OF compensang Tor services
rendered to the country and the man who has been for
unae enough to accumulate little wealth and goes to
the battle field and is killed there his services are just
valuable TO the country as those Of the poor man. and he
ought to occupy The position in regard to the com
pensaton given by his country for his services There IS
power OF distinguishing between the rich and the poor
man upon a principle oil this kind. We should stand
upon the principle which recognises the equality oil the
rich and the poor who their country am unwil-
ling to adopt this partial rule, and put down dot here
and dot there according to the wishes oil the various rep
Tesenalves of the different States as TO very worthy
person known in their own State only. know OF fifty
casesyes, may say fifty casesln my own State where
the fathers died in the Mexican and left their widows
and children in poverty, probably poor as their chill
dren are And can consent TO rule OF this kind, unless
you come up and do the thing equally and fairly to all
/ would be opposed even to that upon principle. But II
the power is in the Senate TO pass this BILL and they are
determined to exercise that power then let them pass
general bill, that all may be entitled to the same adyan
'agss. srucr nc ,,, !. u.,n ,;,,;nu = h,vo
general bi-a general lawto cover all these cases. and
L haI thac fry IN all
this Where the father has been killed IN the service
OF his country in battle. and the children have been lett
minors orphans and poor hold that this government is
bound 10 step in and take the OF father to these chill
dren. say that upon the highest principle OF moral
equity and Justice, the nation is bound 10 come forward
in all such cases as this and take the place OF the parent
why this bill should not be passed. but rather
reason why il should be sustained r
will say further 10 the honorable gentleman who says
that this nation has been more liberal towards its gallant
soldiers than any other nation in the world that
ton on Gods earth has obtained such military services
with SO little cost as this nation has Why, sir. your ar
mics have brought you through three wars and what have
these armies cost you The army OF nation of half the
size OF ours on peace establishment in Europe costs
more than your whole army has cost you through all
three wars pensions and all for your soldiers fly TO your
standards in the hour OF danger and difficulty and
as The danger is they retire TO private life and shift
for themselves. Yet when and then you have
up where has been killed in battle and
left his children young poor and destitute. and relief is
asked for them account oil the services OF their father
il is said that there is not general law TO cover the case
and they to be turned ont upon the charity OF the
world do not think that should be so.
But do not want TO discuss this matter further
hope this bill will pass
from Georgia Mr.. DAwsoNl is one that we have heard
time and again in this Senate, and believe that no bill
going beyond the general law in regard 10 pensions has
rrouo Now s @
he urges against this bill is the very why
should pass IT, He objects 10 i because i is not gen
Nl.,t, oh.
lection this bill, unless il be that, while il would be
proper pass general bill including all cases, and this
among the rest if we pass this We thereby prevent the
passage OF general bill For my part am in favor
OF special bills for OF this Sort because wish
TO pat each upon its own individual merits.
We have general bills upon the subject OF pensions, and
for general bills they very liberal and give much
discretion 10 the executive officers OF this government
think il is proper and safe 10 give them But it is be-
OF this sort not embraced under general
bills that they should here equitable claims And
hold that the Congress OF the United States is the proper
tribunal 10 adudcaie these claims and whether they
are Individually mertorous or not am perfectly willing
as ! believe this one 10 be- have already voted for a
number Of them, and am willing 10 vote again for all that
are equally meriiorious
But the senator from Georgia mr. DAwsosl raises
another objection. lie says that, although should
pass general bill, il determined TO proceed upon
the principles OF this one yet he IS against them ALL and
would provide for none oil these cases. Now, concur
with the senator from illinois. Mr. SHELDsl will 20
as far as he will il there is any one here who is pre-
pared to 20 further, am prepared TO go as far as the
farthes in providing for the widows and orphans OF those
who fall in the battles OF their country. think we Can
expend the public money in better way than in pro.
viding for them. Talk about the bankruptcy OF the
government, indeed Why, we are providing means To
take care oil the government by holding out induce
ments 10 those who the whom must
look 10 10 uphold and preserve this government.
Will we bankrupt the government by taking care OF
the widows and orphans OF those upon whose strong
rests this government aud by the exercise OF whose
valor and bravery this government Is alone 10 be main
ained IL we were to make provision for the Of
that kind who have taken oil this government In
hour OF need, would soon have government at all
This Is a claim OF justice But II ~ also claim upon
our gratitude These did not 20 into the service of
this country because this promise held out 10 them
that this should be taken Of their widows and child
But they did so from higher motive And think
the nobles sentiments OF natuethe gratitude which
10 them for the services which they performed,
and which they might well have thought be given
gratuilousy to their country, Now. II the gentleman
will bring forward general BILL including all these cases.
will vote for IT, But think IL would be mpractcable
II we to attempt H. We could pass a bill OF that
kind only upon the ground that the all merio
nous and we cannot decide upon their merit before they
willing to SIT and pass upon this case II SIT
ting ~ court OF equity, with authority TO bring in feel
ings OF gratitude TO govern conduct
Mr.. HAMLlN. ! have no hope OF aresiing the
progress OF this bill but shall vote with the senator
from Georgia MIR, DAWSON wish TO state somewhat
briefly some OF the that will control my vote n
were TO listen 10 the counsels OF the from Illinois,
lMr SHIELDS, IN appealing TO my feelings OF generos
ny and gratitude, should vote with him. II were 10
vote according to my opinion OF the soldier he has
Tered TO- in reference to those qualities for which he gave
him credit should most assuredy vote for the passage
OF this bill. That the deceased gallant and meT-
torlous man, have no doubt Aud IL we were 10
grant pensions upon The simple principle Of meritorious