The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-07-24
GEARF on BOGNTIEs.

General Joshua I. Owen, as president Of
the central organization of the "Boys in
Blue" having, on behalf Of this influential
body of soldiers, requested Gen. Geary to
state his views of the justice of the claims
of certain Of the soldiers to bonnti9s from
the United States Cove nment had trans
mitted to him the following letter, addressed
by General Geary to the Hon. Henry Viii
son, chairman Of the Senate Military Com
mittee, at the time Of its date, as fully en-
bodying his views. We publish the letter
in full, as of public interest:
New CUMBERLAND, Pa, May +, &c.
Hon. H. WATSON, Chairman Jfaaary Conr,ittss
Senate United States:
DEAR SIR: I trust YOU will pardon my
intrusion upon Your time for few MIN
utes, while [ thank YOU for the valuable
and efficient aid YOU have given and are
still giving in behalf of an act TO equaIize
the bountes of soldiers and sailors who
served during the war OF the rebellion; and
to give expression to some views Of my
own upon the subject. Having been a
soldier mYselt, the services sacrifices, and
sutFerings of the defenders of our national
existence are familiar to me. They periled
all to secure our land from the infamous
crime Of treason and the bHghting inhu-
ences of Slavery. Those who were the
first to volunteer their services did so with
out the inducements Of high bounties and
high wages,
They came forward with hearts over
flowing with loyalty, true patriotism, and
sacredness of purpose; and undismayed,
they perseYered through all Its trials and
vicisitudes to the termination Of long and
bloody war. The war is ended, and the
glory and proves of our arms fully vindi-
Gated. Viii not, then, a grateful people
award justice to those who have defended
and preserved their lives, their treasure,
and their nationality! The claims of such
are so Pre-emiuentIy just and proper that
delay or neglect ii their prompt acknowl-
edgement and payment by the nation will
not be excused, and viii be inexcusable.
l am constantly receiving communica-
tions on The subject of equalization of
bounties," not only from soldiers and sail
ors Of my own State, but from those Of
other States; and my opinion is frequently
asked with respect to It's justice aad prac-
ticatiIity.
As to It's justice, I have uniformly re-
piled that in my opinion no measure could
be more Just or more worthy the consider
alton of Congress; and while the nation
owes much to the commissioned officers
for their untiring mental and physical ex-
ertion, anxiety, courage and responsibility,
they are in great measure repaid by the
glory OF the success which has been OBJ
taihed, and which in great degree attaches
to their names; but there is certainly some
thing more substantial than mere thanks
and gratitude due to the sterling rank and
file, who were always present in the deadl!
strife, and selt-sacrifcing patriotism has
triumphantly sustained the glory and hon
or of the Republic.
l feel that the country cannot do too
much for the patriotic services Of those who
during the late rebellion have stood by the
Union in It's perils and if by an act of mine
l could reconpense those toil-worn soldiers
for their great sacrifices and their long-t tried
LOYALTY, | would consider it the hirhest
privilege and the greatest act of my life.
As to the ezpedtency or pTactica51ity,
| perceive that some members of Congress,
although protesting desire to do justice