Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-04-19
Associated Press Report.
From Washington.
10 Increase Pensions

| WASHINGTON, April 1S.-The following
memorial was presented in the House yes
terday:
To the Honorable the House Of Representatives
of the United States of America:
Your memorialist humblv represents that
in common with the loyal people of the Re-
public he has been anxiously waiting for
justice to be done the soldiers of the Union
army, particularly those who have been
disabled, and to the parents, widows and
orphans Of those who have been lost. Reso-
lutions of thanks and proclamations of re-
cognition may be sufficient for those whose
gamers are well filled, but it is a notorious
fact that the great majority of the ranks of
the army were not from the high in civil
positions, or those rejoicing in wealth and
luxury, and the nation was saved by the
agony, the privations, the tears and the
blood of those who apparently had the least
interest in its preservation. Declarations
that the debt we owe the soldier is one the
nation can never pay, seem to paralyze the
Government so that no successful attempt
has yet been made to pay it, and the obli-
CATION is looked upon as of such magnitude
that it is partially ignored.
1t is matter of regret that the depart
ments OF tie Government are almost sealed
against the applications nfthe living he-eas
of the age, and too often when the limping
cripple and empty sleeve ask the privilege
of an honest living they are turned away
as the wandering mendicant or the inso-
lent beggar on the highway and street cor
ners. Those whom the nation should de-
light to honor, are compelled to beg for
their daily bread. Should we do less for
our soldiers than the rebel communities who
periled everything and failed in the
struggle
The people of Florida in their legislature
a few months ago, made liberal appropria
ton for the support Of disabled soldiers,
widows and orphans, graduating the amount
only by the wants of the needy. Shall we
fail to do as much promptly and cheefully?
The mere pittance of eight dollars month
was fixed when the nation was poor, and
that sum would purchase more than twice
the neeessaries of life then than now. The
faith of the Republic was pledged in ad
vance 10 the wounded soldier and sailor,
the widow and the orphan. Let it be re-
deemed so that gratitude may be shown in
deeds and not in words only. 1t is not
asking too much that while eight dollars
was formerly paid, that twenty should be
given now, and the pension law 50 modi-
fed that the pensioner can obtain his bounty
with less annoyance than now is the case.
-Four years of war clearly show that the
Almlgnty Will oe avenged on naLlonS lor
great offenses. May we not provoke his
Indignation by committing the basest in
gratitude to those who saved the nations
life.
(Signed) c. II. VAN WYck.
Presidential Car to be Sold.
The Secretary of War has consented to
the sale of the Presidential car to Thomas
Durant, Esq, Vice President of the Union
Pacific Railroad who tenders its use to the
Company for the accommodation of its Of
fcers on special occasions. 1t will leave
New York in a few days for the West, with
several government directors who go out to
examine the road.