The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-03-02

ought also 10 remember tnht IN al our
forgiveness and rehabilitation Of the err
ing brother that we ought to draw the
line somewhere. A good place TO draw
that line is on the public treasury. When
we are asked 10 give money to
MEN WHO FOUGHT ON THE WRONG EIDE
In our civil war for services rendered be-
fore the war, we ought to hesitate long
time before we do II; and having hesita-
ted long enough, we ought to refuse,
utterly. The veterans OF the Indian
wars and OF the Mexican war let 90 all
claim on the Union when they cut loose
from It and staked their chances on sue
cessful rebellion. It ought further to be re.
membered that they did more harm 10
their country when they struck at her
than they did her good when they struck
at her enemies. Treason Is harsh word
TO use toward our countrymen; at least
they were not loyal who took up arms
against the Union, and II disloyalty cost
no more than to be denied the privilege
Of pension, It cannot be complained that
we have made II very costly or very
odious. The men who were brave enough
to sacrifice everything for 4 principle
which they thought founded In right, as
our Southern brethren did, ought to be
brave enough to get along without a pen.
sion from the government which they
thought ii right to try todestroy. We
may remember these things without pas
sion or prejudice, inclinipg neither to
hatred or malice, but to right. From
Indian and Mexican war pensions TO
civil war pensions for our erring brother
Ia but short step, and this is all that is
required TO place him on an equal footing
with the brother who did not err, but re. |
mained true to his country.
aNoLETos's SPEECH.
The speech OF Mr.. Singleton OF Missis-
sippi, In the House yesterday, and the
recent utterance OF Gen. Chalmers, the |
ex-Confederate rough-rider, are fair
warnings to the country to have care
how it draws on the Treasury for the
benefit Of ex-C Confederate soldiers. Gen.
Chalmers paid very tender tribute 10
Southern chivalry, and he was pleased
to refer to the late unpleasantneas as to
"so-called rebellion" Southern men
ought 10 discredit the work OF their own
handd. Most people give the South
credit for having organized and carried
on very fully developed type Of actual
rebellion, not 10 be spoken OF disparag-
ingly even by one OF It's own promoters.
The position taken by Mr.. Singleton
went fnrther, and was an offense against
propriety and decency. It remained for
him to stand up in the House OF Repre-.
senlatives and vindicate JEFF. Davis. Mr..
Singleton fourished letter from the
ex. President OF the ex.Confederacy, In
which he gave notice that he will take no
benefits under the proposed pension law.
Generous JEFF. Davis What does he
care for eight dollars month His mar
tyrdom ia worth more to him. After
such utterances, az these 1t will be very
strange il this pension bill shall become
q law.
ONE HUNDRED CLERKS DISCHARGED.
Yesterday the Secretary Of the Interior
discharged nearly one hundred clerks
men and women-from the Patent Office.
Some were on temporary roll, subject
to discharge at any time. These are to be
pitied and the Secretary ia not 10 be
blamed for Diminishing them II he
had no further use for them.
There were some others who stood
in different attitude. They had been
several years in the department and
many OF them had been commended
for special efficiency. The Secretary
oused them without notice, and retained
others who had been recommended for re.
moval because OF ineiliciency. The chiefs
Of bureau, who are supposed TO know the
value OF each clerks service, were not
consulted. This was never done under
Grants administration, and that was
not reform establishment nor was there
an eminent champion Of civil service re.
form at the head Of the Interior Depart.
ment in those days. LEXINGTON.