Nebraska advertiser., 1865-02-16
Speech OF A. S. Rolladay,


ed by Mr.. Miller Of Cass-
MR. PRESIDENT: Isincerely regret to
\ know that any gentleman on this floor
objects to the introduction Of bill de.
signed to relieve our soldiers and their
families. Until few days sgosI did
not dream of any opposition to such a
noble and philanlhropic me4 ure /
could not think the soAieFs OF our TIE :
ritory had man here who ygould be so
lost 10 the high and exalted emotions of
patriotism as to refuse 10 vote them or
their families dollar
In the commencement of this mighty
struggle for Freedom and free instiJu
lions, the Federal halls echoed this same
trailorous cry: mot a man, nor dollar
for the war :" And sill our ears are sa-
luted by similar cry in effect. If such
men could have exercised their feelings;
no voice. weuld have been heard. or hand
uplifted to repel the attacks of rebels on
the Flag of our country; and, instead of
that flag, now waving over nearly, if not
all, the States of the South, il would be
trailing in the dust, at the feet jeff
Davis and his minions
No favor TO the soldiers can be expect
ed from their avowed political enemies
The other day, temporary power, acci-
denfaliy. was in The hands OF the enemy
of the Nebraska soldiers and what was
done? Why, Council File No. a an
act TO provide for the relief of the Ne.
brazka Volunteers and their families,
was, on simple motion, indefinitely
postponed! Il was not even treated with
the usual consideration bestowed on
wolves, wild cat and dog hills died the
death of the malefactor" before receiv-
ing the consideration of the Council
For the sake of the reputation of this
honorable body, | hope thar record may
never NEE: the eye of the brave soldier
boys of Nebraska. That it may be so
darkened by The deep and damnable
shades of infamy that no ray Of light
shall ever reach il, is the wish of every
man who loves his country. and who is not
a stranger to the holy and pure prompt
ings of humanity
Have not our citizens, now upon the
''tenred ield'' done their duty? The CORY
battle grounds of Fort Doneson, Shiloh
and Plusburg Landing testify to lhe;F
brave and meri'Orous conduct, as we'll as
their regimenIal colors, torn and pierced
by shell and bullet!
Members or this floor, receiving three
dollars day, think they are sacrificing
much by being away from their respec-
tive avocations Sir. contrast your case
with the soldiers. While you pocket this
sum day, wind your contented, copper
ish lips around The ''good things of hfe,"
and repose on beds las soft as downy
pillows are" the soldier is entitled to
sixteen dollars a month, when the pay
master comes, which is usually about
every three to nine months His food
consists of salt pork and beans, a lulle
rice and hominy, fresh. blue, sticky beef
once or twice week. Often he rests on
the damp, cold. mother earth, with one
pair of shoddy blankets drawn around his
weary limbs, and the music to lull him
into the arms of the god of sleep is the
cold, biting, mournful signing of the pass
ing wind. Do you think The waking or
sleeping hours of that soldier can be hap
py, when he knows the tender objects of
life's holiest taff'ecti ms, wife and children,
or dependent father or mother, or help
less brother or sister, are destitute wriih-
ing under the crushing burden of want
Our soldiers do not ask for assistance
without a cause. Since going into the
service a great change. as you all know,
has taken place IN The price of every
thing. It now costs over double to live,
above actual suffering, to what II did
when they enlisted HO advance has
been made in their wages, consequently.
the amount paid them does not support
their families.
What. / ask. has Nebraska done for
this class Of her citizens
/ hear a voice saying: The Legisla-
ture passed a resolution of thanks 10 our
soldiers in the field, lost winter, and /
think that ought to be enough" 7" Is this
the way TO treat needy man, and hls
suffering family! The darkest age that
ever curst the world woulG blush at such /
doctrine Well may I call your attention
TO the pertinent allusions of an inspired /
author to this subject. Says he, IF
brOtber or sister be naked. and destitute
of daily food, and one Of you say unto
them: Depart IN peace, be ye warmed
and filed; notwithstanding ye give them
not those things which are needful to the
body; what doth il profit 2"
Complimentary resolutions are we'll