Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1859-01-07
Sneech of Hon. John G. Kunkel.

the remarks recently made in the House
of Representatives by Hon. John c. Kun
kel, under the five minute rule, in the de-
bate on the bill granting pensiors to the
soldiers Of the war Of 1912. 1t will be
seen that iIr Kupkel takes strong ground
in favor of the measure, and advocates It
with characteristic zeal and ability : Tel
Mr.. KUNKEL, Of Pennsylvania. |
move to increase the amount one dollar.
move the amendment merely to give me
opportunity to express my views iu the fse
minutes allowed me upon upon this bill,
am not content that the debate in favor
of the bill shall be sustained entirely by
Kentucky aud Tennessee. Pennsylvania
always has an arm for the battle, and
voice for the soldier. The gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Avery characterized
that State as the Volunteer State. Sir, |
dispute that title with him. | claim that
honor for Pennsylvania. She is emphati.
cally the volunteer.soldier State Of this
| Union. More than once has she rendered
more gallant soldiers to the Govern
ment than would meet its requirements,
and never has she turned her back upon
the country's chieftains, or been unmind-
full of their services. The military ardor
of her people has enstamped upon her
several peculiarities. There are some
three things which no public man IN
Pennsylvania can do and live; be can not
vote against supplies to the Army when
actually engaged in war with foreign
Power; he can not vote against any fair
aud honorable acquisition of territory by
the Government and, above all, he eau
not vote against that expression of the na
tons gratitude to its war-worn soldiers
which is manifested by grants of pensions.
On these subjects, my State has fixed
sentiments and opinions, and am most
happy that my own agree entirely with
he-
nave no doubt Of the justice Of the
principle of this bill, aud none Of the ex-
pediency of its passage even in the pres.
ent condition Of the Treasury.
With ali respect to the gentleman
from Alabama, Mr.. Curry,) and the ger-
;leman from Mary (Mr. Davis who
have distinguished themselves in opposi-
ton to the bill, l have yet to hear the
first valid argument against it. The ar
gument of the gentleman from Mary land,
(Mr. Davis, has besn-and the same ar.
gument has been urged BY others-that,
inasmuch as it is the duty of the citizen
to defend his country when called upon,
the principle of compensation upon which
all pension laws proceed, is wrong; that
the soldier is only dischargng the duty of
citizen, and is, therefore, not entitled to
be paid. The duty is acknowledged and
granted. 1t is duty; but it is the duty
of all the citizens alike. All, however,
are not needed, aud all can not share in
the duty, if they would. The military du
ties of the people Of the country must ne
cessarily be discharged by few of them.
That few must encounter the hsrdships,
privations, and dangers of the camp, while
the great body OF the people pursue their
peaceful avocations at home. The yicto-
rious peace which is won by the sacrifices
aid lives Of the few, iDures to the COM
mon benefit. Thus, those who remain at
home in time of war, become debtors to
the soldiers !; the generation which pros
pers in peace, to the generation that con-
quered the peace. Civil and military ser
vices are upon the same footing, and if
the soldier is to be content with the con-
sciousness of discharging duty to his
country, why should not the civilian l
eau, indeed, imagine Republic III which
all funetionaries discharge their trusts from
considerations of sheer patriotism and du-
.y the President, his Secretaries and sub
ordinates, the Legislature, Senate, anu
House, all diseharging their several func-
tions without compensation, and only un-
der the inspiration Of patriotic duty. Ia
such Government, you might say to the
soldier he did only his duty. But such
Government is only Imagination; certain
ly it is not ours.
But the argument used with most force
against the bill, is based upon the exigen-
cies Of the Treasury. 1t is said that this
will involve al annual expenditure of ten
or twelve million dollars. That is the es-
innate of the Commissioners Of Pensions.
My friend from Iowa, next me, Mr.. Cur.
tis,) who, from his labor and research,
seems we'll qualified to judge, assures US
the amount will not exceed So 200, 600
Doubtless the passage of this bill will re-
quire large annual appropriation. BE 1t
so. If economy is to be exercised iu this
Government, let it begin somewhere else.
Why, sir, how shall We answer to these
SCARED and war.worn veterans? Shall we
ssv IN tho~ ava bclieve vonr claim |