Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-04-26
An APPEAL FOR SOLDIERS.

Gen. Van Wyck, presented the fol-
lowing memorial to Congress on Thurs
day last, to which there will be q gen.
eral and hearty response from the peo-
pie. Let us, 'equalize" payment for
services in the war for the Union by
Increasing the pittance hitherto allow
ed to the permanently disabled and to
the widows and orphans of those who
gave their lives for the country. In
doing this, we hope Congress will do
away with the present distinction in the
allowance to soldiers and officers
There is.no good reason why an officer
who has been woun ded in the service
should receive from SIS to S32 per
month and a private soldier only SO,
or the widow Of an officer who died in
the s ervice should receive from S15 to
$50, while the widow of a private SOL
dier shouldrccoive but SO. We hope
in the equalization this distinction
will be obviated and a fair support
given to each.
To the Honorable House of Representatives
Of the United States of America:
Your msmoriaIist humbly represents that,
10 Common with the loyal people OF the Re-
rublio, he has bean snziously waiting for
ju.ties to be dono the soldiers of the Union
Army, particularly those who have been dis
sbled, and to tbs parents, widows and or
phsns Of those who have been lost.
Resolutions Of thanks and p~roclsnations
If recognition may be sufficient for those
whose gamers are we'll filed; but it is q
notorious fact that the great mass of the
ranks Of the army were not from the high
in civil life or those rejoicing in wealth and
luxury. and the Nation was saved by the
agony the privations, tho tears and the
blood Of those who apparently had the least
interest in it's preservation.
Declarations "that the debt we owe tn,
soldier u one the Nation can never pay,
seems 50 to paralyze tho Government tina
a. successful attempts have vet been mad
to pay it, and the obligation il looked upoI
a. of such magnitude that it is PARTIAL.
ignored.
1t is a matter Of regret that tho Depart
msnts'of the Government are almost snalci
sgsinst tho applications of the living heree
Of this age, and too often whom the limpinI
cripple and the empty sleeve ask the priv
ilsge of an honest livelihood, they are turn
Cd away az tbs wandering mendicant or til
i%nsolent beggsr.
On the highways and street corners thos
whom the nation should delight to homo
are compelled to beg for their daily bread
Shall VIC do less for our soldiers tina
Rebel communities who rorilnd cvcrythip
end failed in the struggle? The people @
F!orids, in their Legislature, a fewsmonth
ago, made n liberal appropriation for tn
support OF disabled soldiers, widows an
arphans, graduating tho amount only b
the wants Of the needy. Shall we fail I
do As much promptly and cheertully2
Tbs nero pittance of So per month wa
fixad whan the Nation was poor and tbs
sum would purohase more than double tn
nsressaries of life thnn now.
The faith Of the Republic was pledge
in advsncs TO the wounded soldier and sailor
the widow and the orphan. Let it be RI
deemed, 81 that gratitude may be shown i
ds.ds and not in empty words only.
II il asking too much, that while IS wa
formerly paid, $50 shonld be given nov
aud that the pension laws may be so mod
fed that the pensioncr can obtain his bount
with les. of annoyance and perplexity thu
ia now tho case2
-Four years of war clearly show that th
Almighty will be avenged on nations Il
great ofenses. May we not provoke II
indignation by committing the basest
crimes--ingrstitude to those who saved Il
Nations life.