Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-12-15
mon furnished for the late war something like N

mon furnished for the late war something like
per cent, including their widows and relatives,
have been or now are In the receipt OF pensions.
The American people, with patriotic and crate
| fnl regard for our ex-solders-ioo broad and too
sacred to be monopollaed by any special advocates
arc not only willing hut anxious that equal and
I exact justice should be done to all honest claim.
ants for pensions. In their sight the irendless ana
destitute soldier, dependent on public charity, II
Otherwise entitled, has precsey the same right to
share in the provision made for those VINO
fought their c0untry's BATHS as those better
able, through friends and influence to push their
present plan upon any other grounds than actual
service ard injury or disease incurred In such SER
vice. and every instance OF the many In which pen
sIons arc increased on other grounds than the mer.
Its Of tho claim, work an Injustice to the brave AMI
crippled, but poor and friendlesS sold or, who isen-
tlrey neglected or who must bc content with the
smallest sum allowed under general laws.
There arc far too many ncighborhoods In which
are found gllrlng cases OF inequality OF treatment
in tho matter of pensions, and they are largely due
toa yielding in the pension bureau to Importantly
on the part Of those other than The pcnsioncr who
are especially Interested rs they arise from special
acts passed for Inc benefit of indy duas,
The men who Tough, side by side should stand
sidc by side when they participate In grateful
nations kind remembrance.
Every consideration of fitness and justice 10
oar cX-sOldicrs and the protection OF the patrloth
instinct of our citizens from perversi0n and VIOLA
broad and comprehensive enough TO cover every
contingency, and winch shall make unnecessary an
MISUNDERSTANDING u special legislation.
AS long Ms we adhere 10 the principle OF granting
pensions for service aud disability ~ tho result OF
the service the allowance OF pensions should be
restricted to cases re'enting these TEXTURES,
Every pltrO,C heart RESPONDS TO tender con-
federation for those who. having served their
country ong and we !, are rcdHc'd to dcsttn'ion
and dependence, not as an lncid mt of their service,
Dnt with advancing age or through sickness or
misfortune. We are all tempted by the cOntcm-
platiOn OF such q condition TO supply relief, and
are often impatient Of the miut ons
OF public duty. Yielding to no one
in the desire to indulge this feel ng OF
consideration, cannot rid myself Of the conviction
that IL tn SO eX-sodc,s are to be relieved hey and
their CausG are entitled to the benefit Of an cnlc.
ment, under which relief mav he claimed rs n right
and that such relief may he granted under the
sanction Of law, not in evasion OF II nor should
such worthy objects Of care, all equally entitled, be
remitted to tine unequal operation of sympathy, or
the tender matClcs of social aud political mllIencc
with their IN Just determinations.
The discharged soldiers and sailors o. the country
are orr fellow citizens and interested with MS In
the passage and faithful execution OF Wholesome
laws They cannot be swervel from their duty OF
citizenship by artfnl appeals to their spirit OF
brOthe hood born OF common peril and suffering,
nor will they exact, "a q test of devotion to their
welfare, willingness to neglect public duty in their
behalf