The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-03-22
Tht l)eoples f o|""'"
PENSIONING SOLDIERS.

.Er. Edii0r:-We read and heartily APP
proved of the letter signed Union in
the Peoples Column Of the WING of the
Sth inst. We happen to know of parties
who are worthy of pension to day Gar
more So than many who have received
them who cannot get anything for want
of proof that they received injury while
in the service. Where is there young
man that entered the service at the age
of Is to y years and served three years
but who to day feels his decline when he
should just be at his best? Many IL young
man came home from the army in fair OF
good health, apparently, and being young
and ambitious, would not claim a peu-
sion, hoping that the aches and pains
would ware OFF. but as they advance to
the aye of 10 or - years, suddenly they
become old men. And whya Simply
from the germs of disease plated while
i'll the service. do not see the need of
further proof than to examine them by
practical and competent physicians and
the disease will be proof enough.
for one say pension all who taught
for the freedom of this our country.
say our country because we the soldiers
and sailors taught for it and saved it, and
it to-day belongs to Us, more SO than to
many who to day are filling high and fat
offices for big salaries who never raised
a hand in her defense. Pay the soldiers
and sailors, even if you have to reduce
the pay of many office holders. There
is money to pay them and why not let us
have it. Many ex-Rebels are to-day fill
ing fat and high offices for big pay under
this very government that they tried SO
hard to break up, while the poor soldier
has to take back seat and pass his days
through altiction and want.
1t is time many have received pen
sion. Some have received enough t@ make
others rich. | know some private sold
iers who if they had the pensions that
some officers have received, wUnld con-
slider themselves rich men. And why is
this? An officer had no more exposure
or work than 4 private soldier had, and
yet they get invariably longer pension,
and in many cases the officer has not h If
the family to support that the soldier
has. Farther than that, many officers
had business and homes and large SaIa-
ries (while in the service) and could and
did save money, while the private soldiers
were mostly poor men and received mere
ly enough pay while in the service TO
support their families.
But we do not care for all this SO much
as we do for the pensioning Of Confeder-
ate soldiers under the disguise of Mexi-
can soldiers. We care not what this
government chooses to give to their de-
tenders, bnt do not pay those who would
and lid try to break up this great and
good government. If, as we suppose,
there is money to spare, pay all the SOL
diers and sailors who fought to save the
country. Give to them, let them be sick
OF we'll, officer or private; make all equal
and all will be well.
Our main object in writing this letter
is to protest against the Confederat SOL
der being pensioned, and against the
many useless offices or office holders who
are today receivin. money and having
all easy time and fat jobs; while the poor
halr-sck soldier has to toll on with his
hard lot aud go to his grave forgotten,
simply because he has been spared
through and by the goodness of God from
the bullet. SOLDIER.