Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1865-06-08
tahlished lasting peace throughout
the land.
ANATIONS' GRATITUDE.


There is q great deal said concern
ing sthe nations gratitude to its
defenders. Newspapers are teeming
with eulogies upon ''our brave boys" /"
military commanders are exalted to
the position of demigods; the private
soldiers are collectively eufogized;
the Generals are Individually lioniz
ed, and as q matter of course each
one receives "a lions share" We
have no objections to this Men who
risk their lives for their country. de
serve all the notices they receive :
But the poor private soldier who left
his family that were dependent on
him for support, to go and fight the
battles of the country needs some
thing little more substantial than
his small share of the praise that Is
bestowed upon sour brave boys" in
general terms. Thousands of wild
ows and orphans in our land have
been made such by the war; their
husbands and fathers now lie buried
in some battle field, the epot where
rest their mortal remains unknown
save to Him who hath said that, mot
sparrow can fall to the ground
without his notice" Many of these
widows and orphans are IN destitute
circumstances, the pension given by
the Government not being sufficient
to support them These need some
thing more substantial than mere
newspaper eulogy and beautifully
rounded periods from the lips OF
stump orators. Thousands OF sol
diers have returned home disabled
by wound, and sickness, from pursu-
ing any occupation by which they can
make living Expressions of graf
itude oil course are pleasing to them
and we would not have them with
held, but the mere expression of
gratitud, will not satisfy the crav-
ings of the poor soldiers hunger or
those of his children that perhaps
may be crying for bread. The wild
owed mother who is toiling day and
night to gain scant subsistence for
herself and orphaned children GER
tainly delights to hear her deceased
husband well spoken of, but she
would feel doubly grateful if they
were accompanied py some more sub
stantial token of gratitude than mere
words.
We believe it is the imperative
duty Of the people in every commu
nifty, who have the means to spare, to
see that the families of the deceased
and disabled soldiers are properly
provided for--to see that the chill
dren are fed and clothed. not only
fed AID clothed, but educated and
prepared for future usefulness. Our
citizens have flourished in business
during the war, and many have
amassed princely fortunes by Gov
ernment contracts and other means
Those who have aid at home and
pursued their usual avocations, have
prospered in an unprecedented man.
ner, and it is the duty of all these to
take care of the families of deceased
and disabled soldiers. This should
be done now while the pension laws
remain as they are. We believe II
will be the duty of the next Con
gress to increase the amount Of pen
sions allowed to the families of de
ceased private soldiers and non
commissioned officers as also those
disabled The pensions to the fami-
lies of deceased commissioned Oil.
GERS we regard as sufficient. "A
nations gratitude should be sub
stantially shown.
The widows and orphans that
have been made by the war, have
been widowed and orphaned iol
their country, and it is the duty o.
that country to see that they are
properly provided for.