The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-10-21
Communicated.
Military Asylums.



large amount OF money has already been expended
sites and buildings for military asylums, and the
comm STONED officers and soldiers regularly taxed to
support these institutions though. BY the way.
be induced TO them but persona who objects OF
the lowest poverty and restitution The policy which
produced these military sylums though predcatsd OF
kind feeling and Christian sympathy, is nevertheless.
thought be devoid OF practical utility As Tor example.
married soldier, 10 become an inmate, as the rule now
stands mus, agree separate himself from his family
neither wives children permitted to dwell within
the walls OF these military inconsistencies. In word. they
are the exclusive hones Of military bachelors wdowers
without children, and unnatural husbands who will.
ling TO forsake both wives and children.
But as In this instance the evil complained Of 10 no,
without, remedy respectfully recommended that
pension OF a, least hundred and fifty dollars year
be allowed to each disabled aged soldier who may pre-
fir ye,idenes among his fellow citizens to the monoto
nous not to say degrading. retreat OF military asylum
This pension may appear rather large al hrsgh but il
surely will not be considered when it is remembered
that our soldiers, during their service in the army. tax
themselves 10 sustain il.
According to the Army Register OF 1853. there are
about nine thousand enlisted men. Of all ranks, in the
military service Each of these pays three dollars per
nun 10 the asylum fund, In addition to this voluntary
tax there is another source OF r~venuenamey. fines
posed by general regmen,al courts martial, TO the
annum which sum, added 10 the general OF twenty
seven thousand will make total of thly three thou
sand dollars collected from the army in year for the
supper, OF It's own poor.
IA the year $780, when the idea OF military asylum
was rs, brought up for consideration. certain general
Officer OF great experience and kind heartedues, dsap
proved OF the system and advocated what decidedly
be,,er"a slight extension Of the pension list" 80 that
the worn and disabled soldier should be furnished
H. 49, ILL -.
zens instead of being subjected the degradation OF end
ing his days in a military almshouse.
And further: remark that in the army OF the United
Saisa there are withoxt including the staff corps.
hundred aud fifty companies and the general reGu
.,ions admit of three aoIders wives to each company
hence the aggregate number OF this female battalion 10
four hundred and sevenyfour. Blu, this goody number
OF wives with, TO speak, an army Of helpless ehdren
can receive no benefit whatever from the asylum fund.
though their four hundred and seven'yfour husbands
paw one thousand four hundred and twenty-five dollars
year 10 sustain IT.
The idea of military asynms may have been taken
from similar institutions in England and othe- countries.
In European nations aay be agreeable to State policy to
kseo The military ~ dsan, in location and sympathy
from ali civil intercourse and communion ~ possibe But
in these United States the soldier and the citizen are one
and the instant The military man ceases to foster and re-
.pec the higher dignity OF his citizenship he is no long,
ar III for soldier And hence IT is coniended that II
should be the privilege OF the American SOLDIER after his
long separation from his fellow citizens 10 be permitted
10 rsion them or, east il should be for the veteran
himself 10 decide whether he Will end bis military career
under the restrictive rse oil almshouse OF 10 the soc-
ETY. OF his civilian friends.
The foregoing remarks are submitted from motives OF
affection for that arm OF service TO which the undersigned
was attached from youth 10 middle age, ~ - believed
they contain the universal sentiment OF the enlisted
nor,,on OF the army. AN OLD SOLDIER.