The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-20
Forty Per Cent.


20 the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
noticed in a recent number of the Journal
that General Hovey had introduced bill in
Congress to provide for the payment to the
soldiers of the late a equal to 40 per
cent OF that formerly paid them, to compensate
them for the difference between the value of
gold and the currency with which they were
paid.
have noticed some comments on the meas
ure, but not as many as might have been ex-
pected considering its Importance. I know
there is feeling of modesty pervading the
breasts of many ex-solders, fear of being stig::
natized by q certain class of men whose sympa-
thies were all with the rebellion, but who did
not rise to the courage Of their convictions as
greedy as well as other classes of men who
were too young 60 TO war. and who, IN conse-
quence of neglected education and political pref
udice, do not yet realize what it was all about
nor do they appreciate the results secured to
them and their posterity by the sacrifices of
the volun teer soldiers.
at the risk of mourning the displeasure Of
all such can never regard the war or its
Suits nor the sacrifices and sufferings made and
endured by the soldiers and their dependents,
any other than matter of dollars and cents,
10 say nothing of my characteristics modesty.
desire to put myself on record as favoring Cen
eral Hovey's measure and if you will allow me
the space, l will briefly state some of my rea-
cons
1t goes without saying that an injustice was
done the soldier who enlisted with the express
understanding that he should receive thirteen
dollars month in specie for his services, but
who subsequently was forced to accept depre-
clated currency. No argument is needed on this
point.
1t may be urged that this only applies to the
enlistments Of 1861. subsequently, men knew
when they enlisted that they would be paid in
currency True to some extent, but the volun-
teenof 1862 to 81 had no data from which to
rail- mi afa nanf Of ot,1 Is
rency that was to follow his enlistment or the
increase in the prices of the necessaries of life.
and If they had, it would not have been worth
while wasting time to make the calculation, for
they had 10 go anyhow. II was well understood
that if our quota did not volunteer we would
have to stand draft. Some were drafted.
and for the purposes of this article we may as
well say were all drafted.
Here, then. we have the spectaclesof this great
and mighty Nation. picking by lot subject
here, another there, saying Come, serve me for
q period of three years If need you SO long. 1
will feed and clothe you and pay you thirteen
dollars month in money, to stand up and be
Bhot at-shot down perhaps
1t was needless to urge that this subject had
married wife, or that one had bought yoke
of oxen. and therefore could not go. Higher
wages at home the steadily increasing prices OF
the necessaries Of life were not considered for a
moment. the service must be performed. 1t
was performed.
And this was right. Every able bodied citi-
zen owes 10 his country his best service when
she needs It, In return for Or election to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness the Nation
has tight to demand loyal, faithful service
from her citizens in time OF war. Equally has
the citizen right to demand justice from the
Nation, and nation can afford to turn a deaf
ear 10 that demand. More especially is this
true. when the demand from a large
class OF subjects who confessedly the Ma
tons reliance IN her hour of peril, aud by
whose heroism the Nations life saved.
Then. as a matter of principle and sound poll
~. the Nation can not afford to be unjust to her
defenders.
The case Of the army contractors. or he who
furnished supplies rs not parallel. Bids In
vited from time 10 time for such supplies as the
government needed
The contractor knew what those supplies
would cost "a depreciated currency, and knew
that be would receive his pay in q deprecated
currency and made his bids accordingly; there
fore there will be occasion for opening up his
accounts for readjustment should General