The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-03-22

From the AIe NandIia GaztIto
A WORD TO THE VIRGINIA DELEGATION IN con-
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u does not the subject orpolitics but matter
on the one band OF individual right the other Of pub
lie cJustee-we aude 10 bin which U.s. ought 10 be
before Congress for the final settlement Of certain revo
onary claims and which ought long since TO have been
passed
It is known that the great body Of the revolutionary of
GERS were rich In everything but monen yaor pa,rot-
ism, sefsacriee snierngs, and In money they
were poor 80 that while they enriched all postcriy they
impoverished Themselves and their families Some were
compelled TO leave the service their families strye
and many more were for the came reason, reluctant
ly contemplating resignation, when General Wash
ington made affecting appeal TO Congress on thoir
behalf In reply 10 this Congress, on the 2lst 0c-
tober $780, aresolved that those officers who shall
continue in service 70 he end Of he shall be erti-
tied TO hapay for life from the time Of their
reduction Here was contract profcred and accepted,
and tho effect active eDgagedness In neservice and
final victory, resulting in the firm establishment of the
glorious republic and her proud assumption OF an honor
able rank among the nations Of the EARTH Now for the
payment of the obligation. When the officers applied to
Uncle Sam for their money, they were turned away with
certificates worth in specie only eighth Of their nomi
nal value The claims of these officers have been often
presented to Congress- and always vorably reported
by the committees In 1888 Mr. Madison in his report
recognised their justice. In 1910 committee Of the House
resolved that the entered into by Congress with
for life has not been substantially complied pah by
our government and that therefore the prayer OF
the petitioners s reasonable and ought 10 be grantcd
The of 1912 upon u.s. and thrust out all appli-
cations of this nature But in 1918 Mr. Johnson from
select committee reported in favor of the memoralists In
1919 Mr. Sergeant from another select committee again
reported avorably In 1926 the Senate committee did the
same thing At the same session the House committee,
through Mr. Burgess echoed that report But though
ous private acts allowing halfpay have been passed
general bill was got through. In 1852 Mr. Walker of
Wisconsin, with the Senate committee, gave the subject
thorough investigation resulting in able and admirable
reports in favor Of the long-negected bill.
Senator Underwood declared the "inusc which has
been done the officers of the continental army and that
after full investigation of the subject he would vote for
general bill atone for that injustice In February 1854
Evans of South Carolina, reported bill to fulfil
the of Congress by allowing the halfpay for life
pom interest," from 1883 to the period of the officers
DEATH with certain provsos The amount due in cases
Of deceased officers be paid to the widow and chill
dren and if the widow be not living to the children Of the
deceased These heirs of noble scattered through
the country many Of them in poverty and some in
debted the hand of charity for the comforts OF iife
Hitherto they have plead in vain for JUSTICE at the bands
of that country for whose Independence their fathers
her service braved the terrors OF battle endured
the fatgues of immortal campaign, and finally
conquered GLORIOUS PEACE the blessings of which
scattered over this continent If the dead could speak
from their hopored graves they might justly repIoach Us
for this strange neglect When the country bank
rup those brave fought for her existence Now that
she is luxuria,nz In wealth. shall She In the spirit Of
an unheardof ngratude refuse to do the little abe can
do-remember those whose veins flows the blood Of the
noblest race of men the world saw Forbid it. high
Heaven The testimony Of Washington demands the ac-
ton of Congress In letter to the old Continental Con-
gress he declares this provision IA reasonable compensa-
tion offered By Congress time when they had nothing
else TO gpe officers of the army for services then
to be performed II the only means to prevent
total dereliction Of the service. II was part OF
their hire may be allowed to say II WAS THE PRICE
OF THEIR BLOOD and of your independence II s there
fore more than a common debit is deH Of honor
il can never be considered a pension or gratuity
nor cancelled until fairly discharged Letter dated
June ls 1887 We hope then, that our senators and
representatives will do their duty in the premises the
Virginia demands 1t Of Them both national grounds
| and because she has in her bosom among her own
people those who stand the high ground Of this long
neglected but perpetusllyust claim We believe our del
egaton will unite with their peers in adornng this Con
rress with an act which, while 1t will be greeted every
side with loud applause viii furnish beautiful demon
sraton that even amid the noontdo eux Of party spr
the patriotism of rs s lives In the breasts Of the
1 of $50.
Senate report No. l64, LIST SEAS 32d Con.