Daily American organ., 1856-05-08
The Hon. Mr.. Evans's Bill For Doing
N Degree of Justice TO the Officers and Sol-
(. diers Of l17R. NE, t.tf fs 4statl lHs "a

diers Of l770. si rip .t g ssa
I The memory of these warriors of our freedom
Let US guard It with holy care. Let the mighty
pulse which throbs responsive in nations heart
at the utterance Of that nations names of glory,
never lie languid when their deeds are told, or
their example cited. s,s -t,
To him of the calm gray eye, selected by the
leader of the ranks in heaven, instrument of
a peoples redemption; to him, the bright and
brave, who fell in the attack at Breeds Hill to
him, the nimble-footed soldier of the swamps Of
Santee; to the stranger from the luxury Of his
courtly European home; to all who fought with
out stipulatng) in that long and weary fight, for
disenthralment fiom arbitrary rule, may our star
fade, and our guardian spirit smile no more on u.s.
il we fail TO chamber up their deeds In our hearts,
or forget the memory Of their dear-won honor.
Their fame was not the fame of comnson heroes,
the mere gaining Of battles, the repellng Of op
posing foe, welding the energy Of military bodies
rising proudly amid the smoke and din Of the fight
and marching the march of q conquerer; all this,
soul stirring it is, would Of course not fail to
command the applause of the world but such
was not the base upon which the American war
riors founded their title for renown. Look at The
memorable winter of the encampment at Valley
Forge, where, says the historian, they might
have been tracked by the blood of their feet,
marching barefooted over the frozen ground with
out food or clothing; - yet they all fought on in
the good fight and we're faithful TO the end.
Why then should this nation, rich as it is now,
refuse 70 remunerate the few remaining ones of
those whose only legacy was poverty, entaied on
them a. the descendants of men who fought for
the Independence of this country esog
Some former Congresses will be recollected with
feelings Of respect BY large portion of the widows
and orphans OF those Of the Revolution At times,
there has been meted out to them some pttance.
May we not hope that the same kind feeling " i'll
actuate the present Executive and Congress, and
thus smooth the path to the tomb of those few
who now remain OF that gallant band who led the
forlorn hope, and periled all for liberty and their
descendants, many Of whom are still living, aye,
and some ON charity--that this stain upon the ma
tional honor OF eur great country may at last be
blotted outf Alas We have our fears about this
hope. There may be . few Revolutionary families
who are, com omparatively speaking well on; but
they are Of that favored few who have had prirats
bills passed for them by Congress, and the de-
sce,,danfs of those rho stipulated. 3
The many millions Of dollars Issued during the
war Of 1915 were by act Of Congress, to be re-
deemed by the year l779, at their full value but
instead Of that, in 1871 they were worthless, and
ceased to circulate; yet the people, thfol to their
trust, fought on until the indepen1ence We now
enjoy was gained, and lost their hard-earned earn
ings without murmur. For q proof of this, see
the anonymous letter written in March, 1888, rea-
tive to the neglect Congress had shown her OFF,
GERS and soldiers, and the reply General washing
ton made, " that though his eyes had grown dim
in the service Of his country he did not doubt her
justice" What did his officers do at his soothing
wordsf They acquiesced in what he advised, and
they retired in quetness to wait with patience for
| this justice has il ever cou,ey Mol aRt
Look at the contrast nov in 1865--millions Of
money in the Treasury, and this debt not yet paid.
Comment on this is needless. Congress almost de-
MES the protection she owes them, and would per-
init the few relatives Of that band Of heroes to 60
down to the grave UNDECIDED, unheard, and forgot
ten, though they have conceded that there is no
class Of people in the country to whom We owe a
luton. ra8 fps "a 5est Nsa z
| II was with their blood that the Independence OF
these United States was gained. The Colonies at