Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-06-10

understood that an even opposed to Che bin bus
only threw out those remarks with G view to
ssoheE the idea that American citizen is incapa
Die Of patriotism aud of doing brave Deeds except as
stimulated By that mercenary consideration which
10 founded in the pension laws I say American
citizens viii defend their liberties, because they
desire to preserve them
Mr.. SAVAGE. The gentleman has the utmost
liberty, and my consent, to entertain mis- own opin
ions in reference to this subject, and to publish
them to the country I hold to my own
Mr.. Chairman, my argument has been q good
deal broken IN upon, and I must hasten on.
maintain that either q pension roll or 3 standing
army is an absolute necessity. As to the remark
Of the gentleman from Virginia, I maintain that
American citizens ara like the citizens Of all
other countries. They have their pride; but,
while they are, perhaps, more patriotic than
the citizens Of other countries, still they are
DESTROYS, like all others, Of suitable rewards
for their services, whether the reward comes
in the shape Of a pension OF in the shape Of
honors and dignity. But I take it that no re-
ward is 80 acceptable to the American heart as
that which propose to give, and that is that the
old soldier who has served bis country shall be So
cured from want in his declining years, and have
his pathway to the grave smoothed.
Sir, to be thus secured from poverty and want is
one Of the dearest hopes and wishes Of the human
heart; and there is nothing mercenary in it. It
is not from mePcenary motives that these old sol
diers seek this provision They want their child
rem and their ehdren's children TO know that they
placed upon the pension roll for the patriotic
services they rendered their country. They want
10 be able to tell their sons aad grandsons 70 rally
around the standard Of their country in the hour
Of danger; and that if they are crippled, their
country viii take care Of them, and secure them a
comfortable passage to the grave. We should thus
build up a military force. I do not mean castles,
forts, ships of war, or standing armies; but that
formation Of habits and character that makes each
citizen warrior, devoted in heart and seul to his
country, willing and able TO use in its defence
And, I tell you, when you have done that you will
have surrounded yourselves with living wall, that
viii protect you against the foreign foe and against
the tyrant who may seek TO subvert your govern
ment and destroy your liberties. Sir, every man
knows that these dangers are around US, and may
atany time come upon Us, You need but look back
to the army Of the revolution Where Is the man
who does not know that the gallant and glorious
band who had covered themselves with honor, and
had giVed liberty to confident, would. if they had
been able to carry out their WILL have placed q
crown upon the head of their immortal ohieftain,
whose moderation and justice forbid it Why, sir,
even after that petty, city war with Mexico which
vas but ripple on the wave, OF as drop in the
ocean, General Taylor was elected President solely
on account Of his military achieYements and We
witnessed the degrading spectacle at that time Of
four or I've ambitious generals, who had served in
that war, struggling for the presidency Of this re-
public as if the nation had been their Inheritance
Sir every drop Of bleed in my veins rebellsd against
it. I thought it was s disgrace 70 cur common
country, and deserved a severe rebuke Sir, let
other var come, not like the var with Mexico, but
one which VIII stir the nation to its foundation
one that viii require that large force shall be in
the field to defend our country marked by great
victories and disasters, and bringing forth great
and ambitious Communicated depend upon it
your army would give him a crown and seeptre, in
spite Of your constitution.
Passing from these topics, propose now, as my
time is rapidly passing away, to notice some of the
objections which are urged against the passage Of
this bill. Ia
One objection urged against this bill is that it win
create enormous debt; and men have run them
selves wild at the idea that the government is going
to be bankrupt. Why sir, that is not q fact, and
wish to take this opportunity Of disPeling the delu
sion. In relation to this pension bill for the benefit
Of old soldiers hav only to breathe the prayer Of
Ajax, when in pursuu Of Hector, which, if remem-
Der it, runs thus: