The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-22
employment Tor Disabled Soldiers.


bid and Unchanged Soldiers and Sailors"
-&NeW YSHIhSve otgAHized a "Soldiers'
iPsomiaE 4oiAfOsd ;~TemunsrstiVe employ
msnt-to.a large number of disabled SOL
idieTs This system was sdopsed in Eng
Lad stitAe iclsse of ths Cdmeau war, and
has there taken position as an, indispensa-
bic "Instituticn5 reciprocal in its benefits,
7estsblishihg'a'eaesP systematic and relia-
biethods of" transmitting communications
'-hfshaH packages within the limits of 8
city. Dhese'messeDgsrs are licensed, and
stationed St'reftain eligible points, 80 that
the community may at all times know
Where TO apply when in want of such ser
vice.
We would like to see this system insu-
gursted in Cleveland, and know of no OBJ
stscle to its success. Disabled veterans are
daily seen upon our streets, destitute of
employment, and frequently compelled to
become the recipients of charity, if the
giving Of a few pennies to one who has
lost q limb in the defense Of his country
can be thus described. These men would
gladly avail themselves of any opportunity
to return to independence by h.norable
effort. They are not beggsrs from choice.
Their ehivslric nature-tested upon many
s battle held-shrinks from such hun.ilia-
ton. Many are sustained by the earnings
of wives lily fitted for the severe
duties suddenly devolved upon ihen-wo
men who four years ago nobly babe these
heroic husbands 60 forth to the service of
their country. The pension allowed by
the Government to q disabled soldier is
utterly insdt quste to supply the most linn
tied wants OF the individual, much less
will it support his family. We need not
say this Is an evil cslliog loudly for reform,
and we hope cur legislators will see that q
reformation be effected; but justice in the
future cannot supply the wants of the
present. Besides, even with a pension
sufficient to furnish the necessities of the
day, these unfortunate men would be hap
pier were they enabled to fill some place,
however humble, in the business walks Of
life, earning, as they have a right to de.
msnd an opportunity to earn, something
more than the pitt4nce required TO keep
the wolf from the door. These men can
Justly claim this st the hands Of their fell
loW-countrymen, for their disability wa
acquired in the defence of the lives, liber,
ties and property of all. Thousands Of
treasure have been expended in rsimburs.
ing parties who had sustained pecunisry
loss through the operation of the war, 81
was instanced in the case Of the Morgan
raid in our own State but what manned
hero has ever been Unidentified for the los.
of his only capital, his physical strength
and cspscity for self.sustaining labor
Has not such an one 8 stronger claim than
he who has been deprived Of a portion o.
his wealth? We believe the system oI
pensions, as now existing, is wholly al
fault. We believe that parties who are
disabled whilst in the performance of duty
as servants of tbs Government should
forthwith receive from the Government 81
amount Of money equal 20 tie average
commercial value of the lsbor of an ordi.
nary life time. This would enable the in.
divIdusl 10 engage in business and make
available his only remaining powers, the
mental faculties. But we must accept rscts
as they exist, and, in h absence of q sys-
temstic governmental policy for the sup
port of our disabled defenders, It becomes
the duty of society TO redeem in full the
pledges it gave these men when they with.
drew from their families and their occupa.
tions to form a living wall between US and
the foe.
The close of the war offers an excellent
opportunity to Soldiers Aid Societies
those noble organizations which have done
SO much for humanity and our country in
the days Of st1ife-to turn their attention
to a systematic effort to place our msimea
soldiers IN positions where they can earn
an honest and honorable independence.