Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-06-03
Forgotten Promises


To the Editor of the Globe:
1 beg leave to quote the following para
graph from the eloquent address of Bishop
Ireland on Decoration day, upon whioh to
base few remarks which seem appropri-
ate at this time.
E'Not few of the old soldiers walk yet
in the land Of the living. speak my own
convictions; we are at times too willing to
await their death to do them honor. The
country cannot show too much favor to
her veterans; she owes them her life"
Back over the seasons and the stretch of
twenty years memory wanders back
and we can almost hear the booming of
cannon, the rattle of musketry and the
grooming of the wounded and dying. Our
country was engaged in one of the most
terrific wars that ever shook the earth. and
men were required to stay the rebellious
columns which threatened the very life of
the nation.
Patriotic men sWarmed in from city,
from hamlet, prairie and glen to the soul
stirring strains of the fife and the
drum, and still more men
were required to go forward amid the
whistling of bullets and the roaring of
cannon. The land was filled with patriots
but all could not go, and leave their fami-
lies. What splendid promises were then
made.
Go now and your families shall never
want. If you lose your lives your dear
ones shall be cared for and if you return
in safety, we shall see that employment is
furnished you. If peace is restored you
shall have something to do in the manage
ment of governmental affairs as long as
you live.
These we're fair promises and patriotic
men were induced to leave wives and
children and go forth to battle for the
restoration Of the Union. Many who
went never returned, and through long
years widows have struggled to rear their
little families and few there have been TO
turn listening ear to their suffering and
to the hungry cry of their children.
Promises have been forgotten. Apnu-
ally large sums are raised to defray ex-
penses Of decorating the graves of the
fallen braves. Widows in rags attend
these ceremonies and drop the tears of
sorrow upon the little mounds that mark
the last resting places ofdeparted husbands,
sons and brothers. Professions are formed
ard with flags flying, bands playing, 1.-The
pomp and circumstances of glorious war"
are to be seen IN our streets. For all this,
money flows freely-I am glad to see this
annual remembrance of the gallant dead,
but how many of the patriotic crowd
would give dime to q poor, suffering
widow with which to buy loaf of bread
or to aid the war, or one living veteran to
keep out of the poor house? Who would
help the gallant old veteran who carries
upon his person evidences of his gallantry
in battle? Who of all those In the process
sion would devote an hour in aiding the
old living veteran to find employment?
There are men IN this city who volunteered
when the tocsin of war first sounded, and
who fought valiantly on a score of fields
from the bombardment of Sumpter to the
downfall of the rebellion in Carolina, and
who have made frequent but vain appeals,
not for charity, but for employment, and
who have had deaf ear turned to their
earnest entreaties. l believe we owe a
debt of gratitude not only to the dead, but
also to the living veteran. Let US not wait
until he dies before honoring him.
Is there veteran employed in the Unit
ed States custom house in this city? Go
through all of the government offices in
st. Paul, and for that matter all over the
land, and the old veterans, abundantly able
to do the duties required of them, are con-
spicuous only by their absence. Is this
right? Is it carrying out the promises
made to these men twenty years since, that
they should have preference over those who
remained at home?
The truth is, when one applies for gov
ernmental Office nowadays, the question is
not asked, did you ever render the govern
ment any services and of what character
bat rather what political influence can you
command? Who are your friends, and will
they stand by me in the future? The war
is over and the old veteran is pushed aside
with the remark, sect behind me, satan,
know thee not.'' JUSTICE.