Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-06-03
PENSION THE MEXICAN VET
ERANS.


Citizen Soldier thus speaks word for the
Mexican veterans, who have so long been
deprived of the pensions TO which they are
justly entitled:
These men and their widows deserve the
immediate attention of Congress. Why
should these men be denied their just claims
until old age has made its inroads on them
aud death stands at the door to receive them?
There are few men in Congress who are so
full Of hate that they prefer to see their own
neighbors driven to the poorhouse rather
than allow certain persons whom they despise
to receive any sort of reward for patriotism
in giving to us an empire. We gave all the
support in our power to tho old flag and to
the Union during the late war, and do not
regret it, but we do not understand that kind
of loyalty that refuses to accord to a brave
old soldier his just rights. The veterans
who marched under the Stars and Stripes
and purchased for US the vast State Of Texas,
besides the great western Territories deserve
not only the thanks, but also the rewards CT
the nation. Because some of these men are
citizens of Alabama or South Carolina they
are to DO denied their rights. Is this pa.
triotism Is this true republIcansm Tho
Mexican War veteran who lives in Ohio is
to be starved because his old comrade lives
in Kentucky. This spirit Of injustice will
destroy any nation. Why talk about the
nation paying its honest debts while its poor
creditors are ou,lawed because they live in
North Carolina or Tennessee? There are
several gentlemen now living in tho South
who fought under tho Confederate flag who
are bondholdera. They draw their quarterly
interest and these men in Congress who re-
fuse to pay the old Mexican veterans get
furiously mad if the bonds and interest are
not paid promptly. We do not object to the
payment of the bonds, but we do insist on
the payment of pensions to the old Mexican
veterans without reference to the Statessin
which they live.
SENATOR DAVID DAVIS ON THE ARMY.
Senator David Davis, of Illinois, in ac-
kuowledging tho receip. of the resolutions of
joint caucus OF the Democratic members of
the General Asse mbly Of that State indors-
ing his votes on the army bill, writes:
at is hardly necessary for mo to say that
l am in favor of perfect freedom of elections
from the Interference or the presence of any
part of the army at the polls. because that
opinion was alphabetically expressed on the
floor at the Senate This is government Of
legal authority, founded On the constitution
and the laws made in pursuance thereof
One of the grievances of which our foreiath>
ers com planned was that tho King had quar-.
tered troops on them, aud sought by military
power to ocerce them into submission. 1t is
little less than public scandal. after CEN
fury of national existence, that any party
could ask the peoples approval of a species
Of tyranny that is forbidden in England and
wherever also the parliamentary principle is
respected"
MEMORIAL Day AT WINcuEsTER-A
partial programme for the memorial obser-
vances ut Winchester, on Confederate deco>
ration day, June 6, has been announced
Tho procession will form on Market street at
IL A. NJ under General Joseph L. Johu>
son, chief marshal, and, SOON as formed,
move through the principal streets to the
cemetery, when tho mon unents 10 the I'M
known dead aud the Virginia dead will be
unveiled and saluted by the artillery and the
musketry of the troops. The assembly will
then adj ourn to the stand, where. alter pray
er. the report of the executive committee aud
q collection for the monumen t fund, tho
Grafton will be delivered by General John
r. Morgan, United States Senator from Ala
bama. The exercises will be interspersed by
appropriate music from the bands present
The military when Will certainly DO present
include the Alexandra Light Infantry. Mar.
tinsburg and StauDton artillery companies.
the S,auoton, Harrisonburg. Woodstock and
Winchester Infantry companies, and the
Burlington (Wess Va cavalry company.
Large numbers of the survivors of Rosser's
cavalry brigade will doubtless attend on
horseback. and will be regularly formed
under the command of one OF their old OFF,
GERS, making m imposing feature of the dis
play.
Tho message of the President vetoing the
legislative appropriation bill went to the
House of Representatives, on Thursday, and
motion to pass the bill over the veto was
defeated-ayes 1l2. nays 91--not the me-
cessary two thirds. The &c repeats the
points insisted upon in the previous yesoes.