The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-08
PENsIoNING REBEL SOLDIERS.

~
soldiers and sailors of the Mexican war. The
Democrats were greatly elated, for the reason
that the sixth section of the bill repealed Sec
ton 4716 of the Revised Statutes, which reads
as follows:
"Section 4716. No money on account of
pensions shall be paid to any person, or to the
widow, children or heirs of any deceased per-
son, who in any manner voluntarily engaged
in or aided or abetted the late rebellion against
the authority of the United States"
This section repealed, the confederate vet
eran who had rendered two months service in
Mexico was put on an equal footing with the
Union veteran, and it is easy to see that this
first step would soon be followed by others in
the same direction, until at last all disabled
rebel soldiers would be put on the pension roll,
and the offensive favoritism" of pensioning
Union soldiers only, complained of by Jeff
Davis, would be a thing the past.
The bill, as it left the House, then went to
the Senate, where, in due time, it was taken
up and passed, but not until the Objectionable
sixth section had been stricken out, and the
bill further amended so as to give a pension
of $24 a month to every Union soldier who is
now disabled from any cause, not the result
of his own carelessness, disreputable conduct
or vicious habits. Other amendments-six in
all-gave $12 a month to widows now receiv-
ing So; gave a pension to the widow or minor
children, with proof that the death of the pen
sioner was due to his military or naval
service; continued pensions to minor children,
without limit as to age, when they are of I'M
sound mind or physically helpless; and, finally,
that the acceptance of the soldier into military
service should be taken as prima facie evil
dence of his physical soundness at that time.
The vote OH the adoption of these amend
ments was thirty-one yeas to t~wenty-seven
nays, the affirmative vote being solidly Re
publican; the negative, Democratic withou t
exception. But a still more significant
vote was taken. On the motion to strike
from section 6 of the House bill the words,
$50 far as the same relates to this act or to
pelSlOAOIS LiO ~ AOdfAhS " w ASUN'
''That section 4716 of the Revised Statutes is
hereby repealed" every Democrat voting
voted in favor of the motion. In other words,
every Democrat present voted to strike from
the Revised Statutes the only barrier that pre-
vents confederate soldiers from being placed
on the pension roll. And because the Repub-
- e. l. H. 49,
sioning of confederates who had served in the
Mexican war, twenty-five Democratic sena-
tors voted against the bill to pension Mexican
veterans and to extend the benefits to Union
veterans Incorporated by the Senate Republic
an majority.
The bill, amended as indicated, was re-
turned to the House in time to be acted on
there, but was flibustered against and al
lowed to die. Under the lead of Mr.. Hewitt,
of Alabama, eighty-one Democrats and three
Independents prevented its consideration on
July 2. On July 3 the same tactics were fol-
lowed, and seyenty-six Democrats and three
Independents prevented consideration. Two
days later still, bent on killing the bill be-
cause it would notinclude confederate soldiers,
and for no other reason, thirty-nine Demo
Gratis and two independents united to kill the
bill, and it was not heard of again.
This is the history of the bill to pension
Mexican veterans. Drawn purposely to in
clude ex-rebel soldiers, it passed the House by
an overwhelming majority. Returned from
the Senate amended to exclude ex-confeder-
ates and extending enlarged benefits to loyal
pensioners and those dependent upon them,
it was purposely allowed to die in the Demo
cratic House, plainly indicating that the main
and original purpose of the measure was to
pave the way to admitting all disabled con-
federates to the pension roll of the Nation.
There is a significance in the action of the
Democratic party during the past sixteen
years. 1t has not been generally noted; but
it is a fact, easily proven, that since 1868, in
its national platforms, the Democratic party
of soldiers TO whom it is grateful. In 1864
and 1868 it gratefully remembered the
soldiers and sailors that carried 'the flag of
our country" Since that year the federal
soldier has never been specified. On the
contrary, the Republican platform
has, each and every time, particu-
larized in this matter. The Democratic
studied ambiguity, supplemented by the de-
feat of the Mexican pension bill because it
excluded ex-confederate soldiers from its ben
efts, and given even greater significance by
the unanimous vote of Democratic senators
to repeal the law which stands between rebel