Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-04-22

JouN LErcuER TO Dr.. RuFrNER.
The Old Soldier Bill and the Compensa-
ton Bill-How Stands Mr.. Letcherp
Mr. Letchcr, we hear. attempts in every speech
he makes to justify bis vote against giving pen
sion Of eight dollars a month to the old soldiers
of the war Of 1912. lie not only ju-,iics the vote
that he gave in the last Congress, but he declares
that he would do the same thing over again under
similar circumstances. We are therefore bound
to conclude that opposition 10 n pension for the
old soldiers is not only a part Of Mr.. Lctehers
creed individually -but is part and parcel OF de-
mocratic policy. This opinion - strengthened by
the fact that Judge Hopkins. the oaly member
from Virginia, we believe. who voted .!oT the old
Soldiers Bill Was, short time ago, set ASIDE ana
repudiated by the Congressional Convention which
met 10 his District, and another man nominated
in his place. The Democracy have thus made up
an issue on this point, and. on behalf Of tie OPP
position, We accept It,
But Mr. Lstcber, though opposed to giving the
old soldiers the miserable rttance OF eight dollars
q month, could sit quietly in bis seat and see tho
nav Of members Of Congress increased To three
thousand dollars a year. 1t will not do for
Mr. Le,cher to say that he voted agans, this bill
Any single member of that House could have
prevented the passage Of the bill by simply cali
ing for the enforcement of the rule which iorbids
members from, voting upon proposition in which
they are personally interested. ANY one member
of the House could, in this way. have killed the
bill Mr.. Letcber. therefore, makes nothing by
his vote against the bill. II be had been anxious
to defeat it, he was sufficiently familiar with the
rules to know how easy thing it wns to 80 it.
We have alluded to these two things for the pur-
pose Of introducing communication which we
find in the kanawha Republican. 1t is from the
son of q man who fought at Bladcnsburg-a plain
mechanic, but one who writes cloqucntly and ef-
fectively We can produce no argument of our
own, of equal weight with that of this plain and
unpretending mechanic. We beg our readers to
note the stirring incident with which he begins
his communication. and to weigh well his facts
and arguments:
From the Kanawha Republican.
THE OLD SOLDIERS.
Mn. NEwroN-There are still spared to us n few
who have personal recollection OF the last war
with England. yourself among the number per-
haps. only know the story in detached por-
TONS and from others pu.. an, me- them ialncr,
who has years ago been gathered TO his long home.
Often have listened 10 the story, particularly as
with the landing of the British forces
on the shores Of the Chesapeake Bay, aud their |
Rdyance on WashingtonCity. shall not attempt
to describe the intense excitement that prevailed
among the inhabitants of that portion Of the
try The foot of q foreign foe had not only dared
to press American soil, but was then on ITS way
towards the Capitol Of the Nation, threatening its
destruction. Our regular army was small, and
scattered at distant points. The defence.of our
central seaboard had been mainly lett to our little
Navy and the volunteer Militia Of the States. We
may imagine the anxiety of the people of that re-
gion-the rapidity with which the exciting news
was spread from person to person. and from
neighburhood to neighbcrhood. No Electric Tel
egraph was needed 10 carry the ncws nor clo-
quent orators to bring that people upto their duty
The eloquence Of the occasion consisted in the
facts that had transpired, The up. zeal that went
to the hearts of the people consisted in the ext
gencies as they presented themselves. How that
eloquenca and appeal were responded to, let
the memory Of those still living, and conversant
with the facts, testify. Lot the battle of Badens
burg answer. On one side of II small stream were
the British regulars; the other few Marines
and our raw volunteers. The British attempted
to . the BRIDE which was again and aga n
swept by our forces. until the stream itself was
damned up with British slain, and the little
.'ream con.eyeo 'ne purple ''uc oi nri.lsh gore
'ns.eao Of us V own nmpla gurglng waters.
battle the cry Of danger had been heard, ard was
quickly responded TO by the small Militia conn
Pany OF thc place. increased as much rs possible
oy volunteers ior the OCCASION and soon that com
pany was marching to meet the British. In that
village lived WIDOW, With an only son, appren-
tice boy, Of some Is or l6 years Of age. lie Of
fercd himself as q recruit in that company, but
vas se,used on account OF his yoathtuness; he