The National tribune., 1886-05-20

Il
war, or from fear Of arousing prejudiees that may
injure political friends ia certain States, refuse
20 oppose measures that we believe will be hurfnl
] 10 the Nation, or refuse 70 support measures that
we believe viii promote its prosperity, then we are
moi free and independent Representatives. and are
unworthy the confidence and support Of the people
/ OF the free commonwealth whose commission we
bear.
MIR. Logan:
only desire now 10 call the attention OF the SEN
ate 20 one or two remarks made by the Senator
from Arkansas Mr.. Berry, First he said that this
bill was going Tar beyond anything that the people
had anticipated, and that the soldiers who fought
the with Mexico and gained our victories there
had been for 40 years neglected, while the Union
soldier had called 10 him support from all quarters
/ of the country 10 put him on the pension-rolL
That assertion was made without due considera-
| tion. There is not the statute books to-day
/ law allowing pension 20 "A Union soldier whose
| provisions Mexican war soldier cannot also avail
himself of. All soldiers disabled in the Mexican
wnr from wounds or disease contracted in the serv-
vice and their widows or their orphans are entitled
10 pension under thS law Just the mon soldier
/ In to-day. More than that, the Mexican soldier
had more given 10 him Than the Union soldier las
/ had. The Mexican war soldier drew from this
Government ms bounty in land from 80 10 l60 acres
which land was given TO every soldier sailor, and
marine who served in the army or The navy OF the
/ United StRtes against Mexico Further than that,
/ the officers of the United States received three
months extra pay when they were mustered out
I of the service after the Mexican war
SO mp 10 the present time Il Il only because OF the
I numbers that have been benefited In consequence
/ of service In the Union army that persons can
/ speak of the Government having done more for
them. But this is not question OF numbers. III
the army that marched against Mexico had been
/ as large the army that marched against the re-
bellion the pension-roll after the same lapse OF
] time would have been as large as The penslon-rol
on the Union side to-day. IL is The numbers ihai
! were in the two armies that make The difference
between the penson-rol Of to-day and heretofore.
But the Senator went further than this IA allud-
| ing 20 his own service. have no disposition TO
allude 10 that nor will except as he called il out
He said that he wonld he accused almost OF trea-
son. Why Mr.. President, there Is no disposition
10 fnf hppq he
not support this bill. IL is a matter for each aud
every representative OF his constituents 10 do that
| which he deems proper and right without refer
ence TO anything that may have occurred IN the
The Senator said that no Confederate soldier
! to-day dependent on the charity of the coun-
! try. j would be pleased 10 know that there was
/ not a human being beneath the old starry emblem
Of this Union that to-day was dependent on the
/ charity Of the people anywhere. But that Is part
Of the misfortunes that strike humanity. That Is
portion Of the misiortunes that men In all coun-
tries are liable TO- Because a man has been unfor-
I tunate, because a man is NOT capable to-day OF
gaining his livelihood and securing food and rai-
ment that s no crime nor Is u any sin against God
/ or man. It Is misfortune that be cannot over
come. and for that reason he becomes a subject OF
charity.
/ Government Why. sir, this Government would
be unworthy OF the name OF Republic if it should
deny 10 gveto the unfortunate soldier who suffered
| either from wounds or disease or disability pro-
duced any way not by his sown fault the sustenance
which he is entitled 10, that he may al least live
/ under the Gag FOR which lac fought.
But the discussion to-day has gone rather on a
narrower channel than IL seems 20 me a question
of this kind ought 10 turn. Ny friend the senator
/ from Georgia Mr.. Brownl made an inquiry which
was pertinent and proper OF course. Ii was as 10
! the amount that would be expended provided this
bin should pass, not as TO the disability Of the man,
but what wil u cost The senator from New
Hampshire Mr. Blair occupied much Of his time
in explaining what this bin would probably cost
the Government OF the United States. Now. sir.
let me ask II some poor old soldier who left his
wife and children at home penniless perhaps. after
serving his country faithfully. having the seeds OF
disease sown i'm his system by lying upon snow and
upon damp ground, and wading through morass
and river and stream. should come hobbling upthe
steps OF this Capitol to-day unable TO procure food
aud raiment for himself by has own physical exer-
tiOns. where Is the who would ask the question
how much IL u going 10 cost 10 help that poor sol
oier9 Is that the question: ls that the kind Of
argument that is 10 be used in a great country ike
this when we are appealed 10 10 sustain the poor
man as he goes travelling along, perhaps crutch
in hand down the lane OF lifeg Mr. President /
never can hear tins argument-and have heard it
Oiten-witbout ats sending a cold chill through my
whole frame. IL is not the argument that should
be made by patriots in favor Of patriotism.
The question that should be asked is this Are
these men in a suffering condition. they dis
hbled from making a hvebhoodg aud did That dis
ability come upon them ON account Of their serv-
ices their country That should be the question.
II that be answered afTInatively. shall never ask
what my taxes shall be 10 assist that man. 4 care
not where he lives. You may talk about economy
/ and about expenditure as much You choose; the
grand thought within .the breast Of the patriot Is
misiortunes Of the men who saved this people
How much d ID going TO cost we are asked; how
much charity TO contribute? how much Is
te Democratic party 10 be held responsible for
tintat least was the argument Of one Senator-if
we pass a pension bin. Why. sir the Democratic
party the Republican party has never been
chastised politically by tine people Of this country
, lor giving pensions 20 the unfortunate soldiers
Now, lct ns examine for a morncnl the provisions
Of this bill What are thcyP That every man who
. served for six months or more in the Union army
against the rebeilion. who be now disabled by rea-
OF wounds. disease, any disability not his
own fault, 10 the extent that he is not capable OF
. making livelihood shall have pension. Why
notT Who b. there here to-day who will not the
street put hs hand IN bs ockei and give his dollar
two dollars at ANY time 90 a poor. unfortunate
man whose condition shows that his misfortune nas
come upon him without has own fault2 There Is
hardly Senator but does this Mby2 You do
J 81 because that man has been unfortunate. He
Is to-day incapactated from making his living by
reason Of having aided and assisted la preserving
tins Government, Therefore, when he appeals 70
. you old soldier disabled, you always extend
The hand Of charity 10 him.
! What d this Government ercept an aggregation
! OF the people in their sovereign capacity Then
lei this charity, you call II charity. be given 10y
! the aggregate voice ~ the men Of this country
having patriotism enough 10 believe that those who
served their country "a time Of danger 10 be
taken care of when misfortune overtazes them &c
that they cannot take care 81 themselves
Further on we provide that their widows sha
have pension. The pension. however. Is 70 be re
! ouced down 10 . certain amount Az said. pro
pose 10 increase u that h. not the higher pensions
! but the lower grades; and whyg We have been ss
fearful IN days past that some poor soldier might ,
tain d pitiance from the Treasury Of the United
states that we reduced The pension 10 whEi2 Ons
dollar =. ", 81 aud give a man pension OF sI2
! year for whatg Because he Is disabled. and som,
Surgeon. some gentleman whose intellect IL so kecf
! tiai he absolutely draw thc line by looking a
4 man between disability entitled 10 81 and 81
month, has said he y 70 have that low rating Their
are men who do thai; that is 90 say. there ar
men who do IT, tried 10 be "A physician once ans
! 4 j found j could not, and am glad that i ann no
one Of that kind, ~ could ever have been one tina
would have - keen a knowledge Of disease an,
4 ability emitting 10 one-dollAT and a two-dolla
/ pension.
a Now lei me explain. An old soldier came 10 M
a yesterday in The Military Committee room with hi
! pension certificate and desired 10 introduce
. bill la the Senate 10 increase Ills pension What
= / your disability" asked. lie pulled out his ham
aud showed me finger off Said he " l. am an ol
y soldier aud could not Join thc army now becaus
under the regulations that finger being of c0ui
\. not be taken Then he Weni 20 tell me that d
n wounded ln tie lef arm and received 40 pcnsio
for a. and that q had become NO nearly parnlyze
y thai be could not use H. and be had 20 go arOun
I begging. How much pension do YOU suppose tlIu
i man wac getlng2 Two dollars a month That ha
n ~ much Influence ON me 70 oicr tbs amendment I
N tbs blli anything else. DO not believe that
4 niHn II he b on the pension roll al all should re
d ceiFe less than 9 per month. II he IL "A pen
!, sloucr 81 all he has disability 20 that he cannc
~ make Tor himself comfortable livelihood: an
= dOes anybody think SO a year h too much 10 civ
It man Who has disability toHuch an extent that D
- cannot make support Tor himself But we are
" economical " lhe public money aud 80 kind an
generous 10 tc old soldier thai ave run the psf
son from " month up. aud II he has both legs O
We giye him 81 month.
ie Mr.. Teller COlo):
% should like 30 call The Senator'S attention 10 n
y inc that there are 2siSs pensioners who are Onl
frfaff fHHEf4 FaHF