The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-08-05

Sl1erlng measures Tor reducing unlS eLoIlIou'
revenue by lessening the burdens of taxation
upon the people. While this desirable decrease
and relief claim our attention, what more
favorable hour can we ask for providing LOT
those who heroiCally sacrificed to preserve IN
tact our munifcent domain, the sovereignty
of our flag, the unity of the Nation, and the glory
of 4 free people? Are not these men worthy
of this boon which in this day of our prosperity
and power we are amply able to bestOw? Surely
they have done their part to advance the
American people to the highest point OF imam
Cial credit in the estimation OF the powers OF
the world, and TO render more proud and Illus
triOus the fame of the Republic. Aye, they
paid their quota, not in silver and gold, but In
the priceless currency of flesh and blood. From
the the smoking battle-fclds which have made
the land historic they have returned married
and MANNED, battered and shattered patiently,
braycly suffering in silcRce the pains and
penalties of that great encounter from which
death alone can release them.
We cannot know the numberless conditions
that serve to aggregate rather than diminish
their sense of loss, deCreptude, and depend
ence. In the complex relations of society they
may be thrown upon the protection OF those
who take but little care, or who have even less
ability to LOOK after them, or, crippled as they
are, they may still he the only props on which
those who are dependent on them can hope TO
lean for support. In either case the Nation owes
part at least ask and urge the Committee on
Pensions to report at once and the Senate to
pass without further delay this important bill.
If we but remember the monthly pay the pr1-
vate soldier received, coupled with his more
open exposure to the rgOrs and hardshlps OF
military life, cOntrasted with the better pay Of
commissioned officers we find cogcnt reasons
for the passage of the bill proposed, for it will
be found that, while some officers may receive
the benefit of this measure, the great majority
Of its beneficaries will come from the rank
and file.
Sir, it is said that States have neither senti-
ment nor soul. This may be true where rival
powers either by diplomacy or arms are strug-
Cling for coveted ascendcncy, but it ought
never to be so when great free Nation like
our own Is dealing with men who proved
themselves i'll dire emergency of war the bone
and sinew of national strength.
They are our fellow citizens, who shOuldercd
arms, faced the enemy, and were shattered III
the shock of war for our defense.
They were sentimental and patriotic enough
i'll time Of cOuntry's peril to offer life upon the
national altar; to march mid slaughter and
death that the Union might be preserved and
the sovereignty of the Nation maintained.
Shall we now III peace, reunited, free, power
full and prosperous, as resultant from their
heroic achievement and legacy, desert them
and turn deaf ear to their righteous deserts?
pathy or patience with that incredul0us spirit
which frOwns on all professions of devotion to
country, and which gravely questions the sin
cerity of all motives save III the worship OF
mammOn. Never was there nObler nor more
inspiring spectacle, or one which lifted to d
grander height of human virtue. loyalty, and
honor than that of our CitiZen-SOldier parting
from peaceful, happy ties and associations, and
as by common impulse girding on their might
to seize rebellion by the throat and TO wipe out
from the archives of the Nation the OdiOuS
word secession For the ardOr of such 4 love of
country, Government, and people, scaled with
blood, is it not the least we can do to set apart
for them this monthly stipend, not so much as
recompense, but as a fitting solacc III their day
of need?
Let Senators scan the statistics of their own
States and recall the pititul story of suffering
which many brave men have borne, but
which they DO not care to parade Ia the pres
ence of q generation already mostly strangers
to the scars of war, q generation rarely ming
ling with their pleasures thought of the cost
at which such joys have been made possible.
While these heroic men suffer in silence their
painful reflections, it IS for us here in our
places to remember and help them now In their
day Of broken life. 1t is a duty which the
whole country will enjOin, an act which we
can no longer with good reason postpone, and
a measure of relief which Will prove most
welcome to men who need it most.
In the duler days of a closing career, when
we ourselves, withdrawn from these busy
scenes, shall have occasion to look back upon
the past and consider the deeds which have
most power to crafty, may a vote given to
pass this meritOriOus measure prove not the
least among many that will convey real pleas
urC and genuine satisfaction.
Mr.. President, | trust the Committee on
Pensions will heed the resolution [ have
offered and soon favOrably report the bill now
before them.
Mr.. HALE. I want to say that this matter,
as have been notified, would give rise to de-
bate, and | must ask that it lie over until to-
morrow morning, in order that We may go on
with the naval appropriation bill.
Mr.. .PLATT. May | have unanimous con-
sent to say about three words for the benefit OF
the committee? l want TO say one thing.
The Committee on Pensions, l think, is as
hard worked as any committed III this body.
OF the written reports which have been pre-
scented to the Senate at this session the Com
mittce on Pensions have submitted considera-
bly, more than one-half OF them. They have
worked every moment that they could find TO
work when the sessions of the Senate did not
actually require their attention.
wish to say here now that the Committee
on Pensions have not neglected this subject,
but have given it earnest and careful consider
alton. 1t is great subject and L should be
willing at any time, if the Senate was in con-
ditiOn to hear me- to show it in all its bearings.
The committee have as yet been unable TO
come to any agreement upon this bill and kim
dred bills submitted to them. 1t has not been
from want Of earnest and careful consideration;
and [ assure the Senator from Michigan, as
we'll as the whole Senate, that there Is no de-
sire to neglect this matter ON the part OF the
Committee on Pensions. ii the resolution IS
to be pressed TO 4 passage, of course 1t VIII
come in the nature of q reflection upon the
action OF the committee and i'll that event l
shall desire to be heard At length, and think
we can fully sustain our posi- ton IN the matter.
Mr. FERRY | ask. 10 save time that the
resolution be referred TO the Committee on
Pensions | have not unnecessarily reflected
upon the committee any more than to ask by
the resolution, which expresses its own mednlng,
that the committee report upon the subject.
am asking that the resolution be referred 10 the
Committee ON Pensions for their early conSld-
Grafton | have intended no reflection, but do
desire early action on my bill.
MI PLATT. | have no objection to the ref
erence.
The PRESIDENT pro tenpors. The resolution
will be referred.
Mr.. GEORGE. | desire to offer an amendment
to the resolution, and have it referred.
Mr. VOORHEES,. Let the proposed amend
ment be read.
The amendment was read and referred to the
Committee on Pensions rs follows:
Add to the resolution:
And also bill granting pension of 5 per month
to each soldier who served III the Mexican war ana
was hOnOrably discharged and who now mas no
other means of support than his manual labor and
also to the widows Of such soldiers VINO are IN
similar INDECENT condition