The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-03-20
s0STE SOTSD SENSE.
From the National Tribune.

10 THE EDITOR: Though too
young to respond to the needs Of our
country in those dark DAYS when mems
patriotism was tested by something
besides lip service, | am old enough
now to fully realize a part of what the
soldier then did | say "a part, for
the time is yet distant before the full
glory of their work will be understood
and appreciated. But a small portion
Of that appreciation can be, and should
be, given them now. By your issue
of the 10th | see a Boston paper has
asked, rs it not time to call a halt in
taxation Of the people?" and by the
context intimatiDg that a reduction in
the pension list would be the proper
place to strike From whom comes
this demand? From the organ of
aristocrats. Who gained the most by
the results Of the war, aside from moral
and National matters? The wealthy
classes. How were the majority of the
boys in blue" paid for their services
during the war? \ paItry $l3 and
S16 per month in deprecated paper
money, worth from 81 to 30 per cent.
in gold. an old soldier at nv elbow
tells me. How much did the wealthy
classes obtain by the war? Enhanced
prices, heavy profits and payments In
gold Of money loaned to the govern
ment. In the light CT these facts, it
IS a piece Of sacrilege for such people
to lay unholy hands on the pension
ark. 1t IS well and proper to look
thoroughly into the applications for
pensions, but when a good cause is
shown for a pension it should be
granted ungrudgingIy and in the
spirit of love. More is needed. The
present laws should be thoroughly
sitted and laws enacted that will
ful Y compensate, as far as money can
compensate, for every disability in
any way growing out Of that conflict,
and the evidence by which this dis
ability IS to be established should be
made less. not more, rigorous. If tax
alton should be reduced, (and prob
ably it should,) let it come from the
necessaries OF life-frpm those things
which enter into the existance of the
Iaboring man, among whom are class
ed the majority Of the soldiers. But
in no case should the reccip of the
country be cut down below that point
where it would be necessary to deprive
the soldier Of the pension lie has 50
dearly earned. The country is veal
thy, united and prosperous, and made
so by the sacrifice OF the Union sol
diers. \ few more years and the
soldier will be but a historical figure.
Those who remain are fast nearing
the poatals that open INTO other scenes.
To-day their manned and crippled
forms are among Us to teach Us lessons
of patriotism and valor; tomorrow
the ''clods of the valley" will be press
ing their mold. To-day they ask to
be treated honorabIy as the saviors Of
the mightiest Nation OH earth; to-
morrow they will be beyond our care
beyond our action A nation that
forgets its soldiers and their worth is
4 nation doomed to 4 dishonored
death. \ nation which stops to
bubble over the size of wound, the
precise time Of disability; to raise
up evidential barriers to the fair proof
Of such a disability, is entering upon
the road which leads to forgetfulness
Of the soldier.
There Is no more precious legacy
left BY the present generation to the
next, aside from the glorious acts of
the Union soldiery, than the care and
protection of those who yet remain.
Every patriot should pronouncedly
speak out against any such insinuat-
ions as those which disgrace the col
umns Of the Boston Record.-ED. p.
SEEDS, Manchester, Iowa.