Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-02-02

and but an undivided portion In its
glories, which brings no personal hon
ors. They advance to the charge
which decides the fate of the battle in
the face of storm Of death, or they
rush to the assault of murderous forti'
fications, q glorious victory is won, the
commanders name rings throughout
the land, the swift gratitude of the
Government mounts the popular i'm
pulse and promotes him, perhaps re-
peating it at the instant; they fall to
unknown graves, their names even too
numerous for the war bulletins. An
Indifferent addcnda to the glorious as
cription mentions our loss as so many
thousands, and the country congratu-
lates itself on the cheapness of the vic
tory, and pays its debt of gratitude in
honors and offerings to the fortunate
commander.
"But the sober second thought of the
American people will not enlarge and
perpetuate this injustice. The care of
the fame and future comfort of the sol
diers belongs to the people at large. -
The Government can reward generous
ly the fortunate commanders, both in
rank and pay, but in the nature of
things it cannot extend this scale Of
rewards and honors to the mass Of the
soldiers. 1t not only cannot provide
tn e rank and. high pay for life, but il
cannot os does not provide them bare
support, though crippled and their Wig
or spent in its service. The people
must assume for their share the duty
Of providing for the soldiers. Their
patriotism, liberality and means are
sufficient for this great work if wisely
organized and directed. This organ
ization and direction is an undertaking
worthy the best minds and the noblest
patriotism in the country.
"The war is discharging and will dis
charge large number of soldiers Grip.
pied or otherwise broken down by the
service. 1t would be a shame to the
country if these men were left to theil
own shifts. The Government pension
is not adequate for subsistence. Tc
provide for these is the first claim up
on the patriotic offerings and upon the
common honesty of the people. Lei
Ohio take the lead in such q testimoni
al to her soldiers, and take the same
distinction in providing for her troops
that she has in the war. A Soldiers
Home on a grand scale, where those
worn out in the service would have the
comforts Of home and sure subsis
tence for the remnant of their lives
would be as honorable to the States as
the service Of its troops in the war has
been. There all the economical ar
rangements which community oflivina
makes practicable, could be brought tc
use, so that the provision of every com
fort might be carried out with econo
my. There such labor as the invalt
veterans were capable Of could be mad,
to contribute to their own support ant
health. There their last days would
have the satisfaction of an apprecia
ting country, instead Of wearing out In
reproaches for its ingratitude.
"The Government generously dispen,
ses its system of partial bounties. I,
leaves the mass of the army to be pro.
vided for by the people. This is our
duty. 1t Is work for the greatest
minds in the State, and it will honor
those who organized and put it in thu
way OF success. 1t should not be
work Of legislative appropriation of thu
public money, but the voluntary offer
ing of the people--a testimonial to tn,
soldiers of the gratitude of the people
which will be an honor to both"