The National tribune., 1886-02-04
PENSIONS FOR PRISONERS OF WAR.


We shall look far and in vain for clearer
and ADLER presentation of the claims of ex.
prisoner of war upon the consideration o.
the Nation than was made in a speech o.
DR.. G. A. Gessner, of Fremont, o., before 8
recent meeting Of the Ohio Ex-Prisoners Of
War Association. DR.. Gessner has peculiar
fitness for such an effort. He is man OF
strong intelligence, much cultivation, high
personal character, and unusual success as a
business man. He went into the army, when
boy, AZ private in the 72d Ohio, and was
Orderly Sergeant Of his company when the
most of his regiment was captured at Gun
town He was taken to Andersonville and
spent 10 months in that and other rebel
prisons. In the opening Of his address DR..
Gessner said:
A few days since met an old comrade with
whom served nearly four years in the same regi-
ment lie was one of the unfortunate victims OF
the Guntown blunder, and was an inmate of An
Jacksonville and other rebel dens of inquty for
nearly 10 months. had not seen this cornrade
since the close of the war and was sorely greyed
to find him pitiable wreck OF his former self AL
though but little more than 40 years old he is as
feeble and withered as one of double his age and
worst of all, his mind is weak and tottering like
his body. l know something of the character of
his services in the army and am certain that no
man could have acquitted himself more creditaby
than did he Throughout the long period of his
service he invariably performed the part of good,
bray TTa l,aoa
of war through the stupidity and cowardice of n
drunken commander and through no fault OF his
own. During long weary months he endured I'M
utterable suferngs, herocally refusing to purchase
release from his tortures at the cost of his 10y
atty 10 the Republic. He sacrificed health and
with it his future prospects of decent competence
for old age Not only this, he sacrificed reason it
self rather than swerve from his featy to the Gov
ernment which now says to him. 1 cannot discover
sufficient merit in your services and sacrifices for
me TO entite you to my assistance in your present
condition of physical and mental bankruptcy. His
claim for pension was rejected few weeks ago.
You may say that it is the intention of the Govern
ment TO give pensions in such cases but that does
no. alter the fact that my comrade is poor and al
most helpless, and has been refused pension. Such
cases may be found in every locality. know that
the mind and body of the comrade referred TO were
wrecked by the frghtful hardships to which he was
convinced that his retention in rcbeprisons for so
long time unnecessary and cruelty wrong,
and that our Government is responsible for his
present wretched condition. To the policy OF non
exchange adopted by our Government in the Sum
mer of 1868, and rigidly adhered to for more than
year, may be charged the frightful suffering and
loss OF life which occurred in the prison pens of the
South.
DR.. Gessner insists that the claims of the
ex-pgisoners upon the Government for pen
sions are very well-founded, and deserve
immediate and earnest consideration:
The claims Of survivors of rebel prisons upon the
Government are, by reason of the extraordinary
sacrifices which il required of them well founded
and just, they are also extremely moderate. Should
the Government pursue even an extravagantly lib
eral policy toward the survivors of rebel prisons
and the representatives of those of our comrades
who persisted SO miserably, it could not make
amends FOR the cruel wrong which the unnecessary
prolongation of captivity involved. The pilful
sum which IL has SO cautiously bestowed upon the
mother, wife and child is but poor substitute for
the results which would have been achieved by the
SIX and energy of the sons, husbands and fathers
who were ruthlessly sacrificed in the deadly
prisons of the South. VIII the Government ever be
able to fully compensate the survivors of rebel
them to endure? Can il restore TO health and COM
fort The physical wrecks which the fruit Of Belle
Isle, Andersonvi!le Salisbury, and other rebel bells
of the South? Can it Danish the pain and suffering
which the inevitable results of being sheterlcss
and almost naked for many months in all the sea-
sons of the year; of being consumed by the fierce
heat of Southern by day and chilled by
the heavy dews at night; of being drenched
by rain and frozen by the cold, piercing blasts
of Winter; of being. compelled to breathe the foul
and poisonous air of denseIy crowded buildings and
Enclosures; of drinking vilely impure and polluted
water, and Of feeding OH insufficient and uuwholc-
some diet. Can it render just equivalent TO those
whose mental powers were weak ened almost to the
point OF embecity and whose struggles against
absolute want by reason of decreased mental and
physical ability have been cruelty severe Or those
still more unfortunate who escaped from their
frighLful tortures bereft Of reason?
ONE WAY OF LOOKING AT 1T.