The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-01-20
PENSIONING GRANT.

sum of money paid to person without
an equivalent. In some of the Euro
pean governments, pensions are so CON-
mon, that they are quite burdensome.
They are given to persons whose services
to the government or to the public are
entirely inadequate to the reward receiv-
ed. Pensioniug is the curse of mon
archical governments. When they be-
come perpetual, descending to posterity,
limal descendants or bearers of name,
they become so burdensome as to justify
revolution. A pension granted TO any
one not incapacitated for labor by rea-
son of his services to the government, is
Inconsistent with the principles of DEM
ocratic form of government. The gov
eminent Is under obligation to those
whom it ha. deprived of protectors, and
should so far as it is able, provide for the
wants of such, while the necessity exists.
Humanity requires that the family OF a
soldier, whose life was sacrificed for tbe
government, should be cared for at the
expense of the government whose need
made the sacrifice necessary. The same
is true respecting the man who suffered
some injury in the public service which
lessons his efficiency in the struggle with
the world. But on what good ground
can the government pension General
Grant? He is not poor. A man who
can spend years in foreign travel and
! manage campaign for his own aggran
izement, in opposition to the will of the
people, and multiplying principle made
strong by custom and sacred by the rec
ognition of statesmen whose example and
opinions are the proud inheritance of a
nation, is not fit subject for public
charity of this kind. The pension re
ceived by a disabled soldier becomes
merited distinction by virtue of his suf-
ferlng. His inability to provide for him.
self extends his service to the government
through the period of his life, and the
government Is but meeting an obligation
| Justly incurred. Grant has no woun is
that appeal for public charity. He has
no reason to complain of the ingratitude
of the country. The war which carried
desolation to many Preside, was the
opportunity which brought him from OBJ
security From a common tanner it
brought him forward as the foremost man
of the nation. Has he not had reward
commensurate with his services If not.
how has the soldier who fought four
| years III the ranks, and escaped unhurt
as Grant did, suffered from the ingrati
tude of the country. He has had no
hCnors showered upon him though he
has ''braved dangers worst" in the service
Of his country. He must fight llfe's
battle uDaided and alone, forgetting his
services and his services forgotten
Grant was raised to a position IN the
army higher than any ever reached before
IN the United States, although his serv
ices in the army were rewarded by at
thlDl0S the plInacio OI ulStluCtloH III lnfi'
department. They were further reward
ed by position beyond pure military
distinction. While in that position, his
services were further recognized, perhaps
III a manner lar more pleasing to Grant,
than honors, by doubling the salary re
ceIved by his predecessors. Latterly
his services have been still further recog-
nized by present of 100000, made up
by priUate charity.
What more shall we do for him2 Our
unwritten constitution has been strained
until it cracked, to honor him above ali
men, by q third term. Must we now
establish a dangerous and iniquitous
precedent that he may live in ahiaence at
the expense of the government? Give
Belisarius, the general, penny" may
be changed to ''Give Grant, the million
aire, abundance i'll charity" 1t is time
that people look upon this question
calmly and deliberately. No principles
of democratic government should be
violated out of love for Grant He is
now the debtor of the government and
this foolish hero worship should give
way to good sense.