Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-11-26
The Pension I,ist-

In letter addressed to Capt Il. j.
Dunlap chairman, and ID. Il. X. Dim
mick, president of the Nelson Post
campfire, in Newport. Ky, the Hon.
John &. Carlisle says:
Although never soldier myself, |
think ! have IA proper appreciation of
the hardships endured, the sacrifices
made, and the courage exhibited by
those who fought in the great civil
war which unfortunately swept over
our country from 1861 to 1865. | am
sure il is not an eXaggeration TO say
that no Drawer men were ever mar
shalled on the field OF battle than the
American soldiers who confronted
each other during that mighty CON
test There have been larger armies
and better disciplined armies, because
they were composed of professional
soldiers, but there have never been as
sembled under arms an equal number
of men more devoted to the cause for
which they fought and so willing to
make any sacrifice for its success.
These men were mainly volunteers
not trained To the art of war. Called
suddenly from the peaceful avocations
of life and required to fight almost be-
fore they had been taught the manual
of arms, they surprised the whole
military world by their steady cour-
age, their fortitude, and their wonder
full capacity to adapt themselves 10
the constantly changing circumstances
of n great war.
This experience. if we had no other.
would prove conclusively that IA large
standing army is wholly unnecessary
in this country. Large military estab-
lishments in times of peace, maintain
ed ut the expense of the producing
classes, may possibly be advantageou,
to some other countries. but here we
can always rely with confidence upon
the great body of the people for the
safety of the republic. OF course
can not undertake to enumerate, IN Il
brief communication like this, all the
advantages this gives us over most
other nations; but it may be stated
briefly that, III the first place, it cX-
empts us from the enormous annual
expenditure which would be necessary
To maintain large standing army; in
the second place. II enables us to util-
ize IN time of peace all the productive
forces of the country, and. in the
third place, il creates and fosters a
spirit of patriotism and independence
among the masses of the people,
whic exists nowhere else in world.
Evidently, therefore, our true policy
IS to have no standing army or pcrma-
nent military force except such as
may be absolutely necessary to pro
tect our frontier and guard the public
property TO rely principally upon the
citizen soldlery of the country for the
defense of its territory and the main
tainance of It's rights, and to encour-
age volunteer enliStmcnts in time of
war by the payment OF proper pensions
! Tor disabilities incurred in the service.
IT i not probable that we will. un-
der any circumstances, ever have a
pension list calling for the annual
expenditure of as much money as
would be required 10 sustain "a stand
Ing army n large As those kept under
pay by other first class nations: and.
besides, such an army, if once author
iZed, would almost certainly become II
permanent institution. while pensions
are IN their nature only temporary.
Just and equitable pension system
with ample provisions for the proven
ton and punishment of fraud. will
never tie objected To BY ANY consider
able number of our people and will.
in my opinion, always enable the gov
eminent to secure the voluntary SER
Wees of the most intelligent and pa
triotic. and therefore the most Valua-
bile soldieis in the world