The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-01-03
from the Ohio Statesman, 26th ultI A
J Justices to the wounded soldier.

From the Ohio Statesman, 26th .ult.
Justice. 10 the Wounded soldier.
On Monday last, Hon. d. W. Voor-
hees, of Indiana, gentleman more ex-
tensiveiy abused by the political aspi-
rants whosgovern the Grand Army of
the Republic, than any other man 10 the.
Union, introduced in Congress, a pre-
amble and resolution, which we give.
below, the purpose of which, as will be
perceived, is to extend to nearly one
hundred thousand soldiers the bounty
Iof the Government, who are now de-
'rjrived of 1t by the very reason which
demands that it should be given to them,
to-wit. their disability to settle upon the
land and cultivate it, on account of their
wounds. MIR VOORHEES,, in introducing
the proposition, remarked that he press
ed it SO that there could be action upon
1T at the present session. It reads as
follows:
"WHEREAs, BY the existing home
stead laws an actual settlement in all
cases by the claimant is made necessary;
ana whereas there are large numbers of
persons disabled in the military and ma
val service of the United States who are
unable to settle and make living upon
lands which require agricultural or 9TH
er active labor, being thereby wholly de-
prived of the benefits of the homestead
policy in the public lands; and whereas
such disabled persons are the most help
less, needy, and meritorious class Of
American citizens: Now, therefore,
"Be 1t Resolped. That the committee
on Public Lands be instructed to pre-
pare bill exempting all persons who
appear now, or who shall hereafter ap
pear on the rolls as pensioners, because
of disabilities received in the military
or naval service of the United States,
from the necessity of making settlet
ment on the lands to which they may
make claim, granting them the benefits
of the homestead policy without such
settlement; and said committee is in
structed to report said bill to this House
for its action at the present session.
The preamble and resolution were re-
ferred to the committee on Public Lands,
with peremptory instructions to bring
ina bill At this sessionsofs Congress. 1t
is 4 little Singular says the Indianapo-
lis Sentinel. that the members who pro-
fess to be soldiers friends" par erccl-
leace, should neyershave made ia move
to remedy the outrage rerpetrated upon
the wounded and disabled soldiers OF
the country By q Radical law. They
can ousy themselves in forcing the an
nexation of San Domingo upon the
country, on ACCOUNT, perhaps, Of per-
sona,interestss sor else at the. bidding oi
tie PRESIDENT, SO as to retain his favor
but they have used the soldiers all they
care for, SO they now leave them out in
the cold and let them shift for .themsel
yes, and the task OF looking after the
interests of the wounded soldiers is lefl
to Mr.. Voorhees,, whom The Radica
leaders. have. with lying words chargec
as having no sympathy for the men wist
bore the, heat and burden of the lat,
terrible civil STRIFE. The bill, it IS hoped
viii pass, not because the Radical lead
ers want to haye it,tor else. tIiey woult
have proposed it themselves. but for tn
reason that they dare not give it the 6,
| by orayote, against it, SseY
| We. trust that Mr., VOORHEES,, or som
other Democrat, will soon lntroduc
another measure Of equal justice. Iti
to make good the difference between tn
pay that the soldiers who, volnnteere
at the commencement of the war, II
ceiyed in greenbacks and the gold whic
was promised, The bondholder, who's
bargain was to get his pay in greenbacks
| now receives gole, while the poor sol
der, whose bargain was for gold, wa
| paid in greenbacks, SO deprecated ths
two dollars and fifty cents in The on
: currency was worth no more than on
J dollar III coin. Let the wrong be righ
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