Milford chronicle., 1883-01-19
ROLL OF HONOR.
JUSTICE. NOT BENEvoLENcE.


Much is being said through the public print.
in favor Of publishing the names OF pensioners
but the spirit of many maniiests a torgetfulness
Of the debt due from the Nation to those who
saved the Nations life at great personal sacrifice.
Worthy veterans and their admirers are as
much annoyed as the most penurious economist
| by the fact that unworthy cravens have through
| perjury foisted themselys into the lists OF
pensioners. So we say let the lists be published,
that the brave and honorable may receive, not
ouly the just debt Of their quarterly stipend but
corresponding statement to th,ir fellows and
the world "Thase are your philanthropsts 81
"These are your creditors"
The question has been well put during the
past gear in an issue Of the Iowa State Register
an defence Of the pensions already granted to
Union Soldiers, and in advocacy of the same jus
tiee being extended to every needy soldier suf.
iering from the effects Of his service in the war,
and to every man now sixty years old or over
who served in the army. Other papers are slow
TO speak, either to indorse or approve. But this
is progress. For so long has it been the fashion
to condemn, that silence now shows reflection
aud reflection will bring conviction and conver.
sion. This is not much longer to 60 silent sub.
ject. Il is rising question and growing ISSUE
There has been in the past few years a strange
and unaccOuntabe Indifference on the part Of
public men and the main body of the public
press toward the Union soldiers. American
pride and American love Of the volunteer soldier,
who risked his own life and the support Of his
own family for the preservation Of the Republic,
has been stung to the quick at the spectacle Of
leading public men and leading newspapers,
virtually chasing the surviving Union soldiers as
an importunate army of beggars storming
greedily at the gates of the National Treasury. |
There has been inclination, on the part OF the |
cynical press, who are opposed to any sort either |
Of governmental enterprise or governmental
gratitude to classthe proposition to render tardy
justice TO the Union soldiers as part of the plan
and spoil Of the organized crusade for grabs from
the National Treasury. Aud even the leading
politicians and papers, which advocate any and
every sort OF an appropriation of public money.
i they or their localities get a share of lt-and
who are willing to build million dollar buildings
all over the eountry-or impractcable canals
which would be dry in summer and frozen up
n winter-or to improve creeks as highways OF
which could be made highways only
BY filing them up and macadamizing them-are
opposed to pensions Tor soldiers, and afraid it
viii hurt them or their parties to favor or allow
hem.
In every respect it has been and is a remarka-
Die spectacle. While it has gone on, the survi.
-ors of the army have been stung first by in. ]
Inference and last by open taunt of them as
nendicants-as made by some corrupt politician
eeding to increase at least the appearance of his
trtue, and by various newspapers made rich BY !
1bbsry in politics and so anxious to cover up
heir own thievery by loud professions of su-
erior morality-they have stood it all with
obiity a0d patience equalled only by their I
eroism in the army. Indeed the Union soldier,
landing under this taunt, not himself asking
nything at the hands Of the Government, keep.
ig silent even while he is being abused, stands s
the noblest position Of his whole career He
as &c Ssgt, and he has a memory. He knows
ow he gave up home and family TO go to the q
he remembers how profuse. wv =, left
stricken wife to earn the bread Of bis n. +'s'.
hldren, were the protesta;ions of the people
nd the promise Of the nation, that no difference
uttutI Nc itI IN Dattlbs OF was manned Tor
10, neither he nor his family should ever suffer
II bread. or even for comfort. There was fine q
TX then that once hero in America was to be
ways a hero, and that once volunteer soldier,
npenling life and losing health to save the Re- s
iblic, was to be always sure Of the gratitude Of
10 American people and the generous bounty
ID care Of the Republic
How has this pledge gone Its way toward
demption Answer Il who will or can. The
spublc, with its vast wealth, but that wealth d
imperiled, and the people, with all their
operty also imperiled. went to the cottage =,
'or Of the young man, or the middle.aged man, 81
hose family were depending on his daily labor :
I their daily bread, and begged him to leave
} family and risk bis lite to save them and
cir property. W
He went. This great Government accepted of
} labor and his offer Of life, and Of his sacrifice
health, practically without any compensation. NJ
e, have you thought Of Il, stinsy and migrate