Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-07-07
GEN. GEARY ON sOLDIERs'
BOUNTInsS.


OfCertnin orthe Soldiers TO IsO"n-
ties from the United states Gov
ernlnent.
Gen. Joshua T. Owen, as president OF inc
Central organization of tho Boys IN Diue'
having on behalf of this influential Dody OF
soldiers. requested Gen. Geary to state his
views of the Justice of the claims of certain
of the soldiers to bountics from the United
States Government, had transmitted to him
the following letter, addressed by Gen. Geary
to the Hon. Henry Wilson, chairman Of the
Senate Military Committee, at the time of
its date, as fully ombodying his views. We
publish the letter in full, as of public inter-
est:
NEW CUMBERLAND, PA,
...... May a, 1866.
Hon. II. Wilson, Chairman Military Com
matee Senate United States:
DEAR SIR: trust you will pardon my
intrusion upon your time for few minutes
while thank you for the valuable and efii |
cicnt aid you have given, and are still giving |
in behalf of an act to cqualize the bounties
of soldiers and sailors who served during |
the war of the rcbe!lion and to give ex-
preston to some views of my own upon the |
subject. Having been soldier myself, the
services, sacrifices, and suffcrings of the de- |
tenders of our national existence are familiar
TO me. They pcrillcd all to secure our land
from the infamous crime of treason, and the
blighting influences of slavery. Those who
were the first to volunteer their services, did
so without the inducements of high bounties
and high wages.
They came forward with hearts overflow
ing with loyalty, true patriotism and sacred
ness of purpose; and undismayed, they
pcrsevered through all its trials and vissi-
tudes to the termination of long and
bloody war. The war is ended, and the
! glory and prowess of our arms fully vindi-
Gated. Will not, then, a grateful people
award justice to those who have defended
and preserved their lives, their treasure and
their nationalityl The claims of such are
so prc-cminently just and proper, .hat delay
or neglect il their prompt acknowledgment
and payment by the nation will not be ex
cused, and will be inexcusable.
| l am constantly receiving communications
on the subject CT equalization of bounties,"
not only from soldiers and sailors of my
own State, but from those Of other States;
and my opinion is frequently asked, with
respect to its justice and practicability.
As to its justice, l have uniformly replied
that in my opinion, no measure could be
more Just or more worthy of the considera-
tion of Congress; and while the nation owes
much 10 the commissioned officers, for their
untiring mental and physical exertions,
anxiety, courage and responsibility, they are
in q great measure repaid by the glory Of
the success which has been obtained, and
which in great degree attaches to their
names; but there is certainly something
ltr,nr thct al han ppf
gratitude due to the sterling rank and file,
who were always present in the deadly strife,
and whose self-sacrificing patriotism has
triumphantly sustained the glory and honor
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 its pcrils; and, if by any act of
mine, could recompense those toll worn
soldiers for their great sacrifices and their
long-tricd loyalty, l would consider it the
highest privilege, and the greatest act of my
life
AS to the erpcaiency or fracticaJAhy,
perceive that some members of Congress,
although protesting desire to do justice to
the soldiers, are fearful of injuring the
national credit and of increasing taxation
by adding to the national debt some $780,.
100000 or $300,000 900, to meet the claim
for the equalization of bounties. l admit
that this is large sum, anu like to see
members of Congress exhibit due regard
for public economy; and it is certainly high
| ly commendablc to be cautious in imposing
improper burdens, or increasing the nati9nat
Indebtedness, which will never DC properly
aggregated until the Just claims of its de-
Tenders arc awarded to them. But what is
the sum of $3.50, 100000 to nation like ours,
when every principle Of justice demands it
to be paid to those who have rescued it
from anarchy and death? What would this
glorious Republic have been worth if its
rebel destroyers had not been met and van
pushed by the soldiers who fought, and
blcd, and three hundred thousand Of whom
fell IL its defence? 1t is but trfe, when
VIC consider the vast resources Of our coun-
try, look forward to the immense wealth
which in few years it is destined to
possess.
If the Government has not the money to
pay this demand for bounties to our soldiers,
why could not Congress authorize the Secre-
tary of the treasury to issue five per cent.
gold bonds Cor all sums of $50 and upwards,
payable in thirty years, making them the
"S0tiier's Bounty Bonds,n but receivable at
all times in payment for Government lands
at par. This would enable the soldier at
any time to exchange his bonds for public
lands on any of the great railroad lines lead
ing to the Pacific, or in any Other place
where he might choose to locate. This
would also cause the bonds at once to be in
demand. Those who did not choose to
locate in the Western States, could sell
their bonds at par to those who wished to
do so.
Besides, if the soldiers should choose to
take up lands for their bonds, the country
would be certain that the great West was
being filled up with population that loved
it and had stood by it in the hour of its
greatest need. The soldier-emigrant would
feel, too, that his homestead was the reward
, of patriotism, and his postcrity after him