The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-03-08

And these soothing words of gentle kindness
have reappeared in every platform since that
memorable year. And l am glad to know the
Democrats in both Houses of Congress have re-
peatedly lived up to these promises of care,
protection, and kindness" 1 recall the fact
that the Blair pension bill passed the Senate
last Congress by the votes of several Democrats
joining the solid Republican vote for the bill.
l am glad to record the further fact that when
the vetoed Dependent Pension bill passed the
House last session many Democratic votes were
recorded for the bill, and in the Senate no Sen
atOr desired to record his vote against it, 1t is
claimed by his mugwump supporters that the
President is better than his party" but surely
in matters pertaining to just appreciation of
the services of those who fought for the Union
" the party is much better than its President"
Perhaps there would be evidence of higher ap-
probation of sacrifices made if he had served
upon one side or the other.
Section 2 of this bill proposes to pay $12
month to those ex-soldiers having three months
service, who, being disabled, are totally inca
pacitated for the performance Of manual labor"
How many are thus situated who are not now
upon the pension-ron it is difficult to say;
neither is it possible to closely approximate the
cost annually under this law. l submit that it
matters little what it does cost, provided the
measure is just and right. With our plethorIc
public pocketbook we need feel no great alarm
over the increased cost.
/ believe the guesses and estimates made
upon the bill of last Winter were
VERY GREATLY EXAGGERATED.
Not all of those who are inmates of the Sol
diers Homes and almshouses who are not yet
pensiOned will be recipients under this bill.
Some, unfortunately, are incapacitated from
their own vicious habits, and these would not
be benefited. Many others are not totally dis
fort
bill does not propose Tatable pension. Let us
look, however, at some of the uncomfortable
figures that show the sad and broken condition
of those who survive the great war. In the
National Soldiers Homes there has been a con-
stant increase in the number of inmates, and
many hundreds are turned away for want OF
room.
There were inmates present:
In I38
In .s,.I, ,4S4
In loo0....... 10
In ., 700
In l6S1..-.. 10
On June 80, 1886, the number present and
absent was IL, ,1S4, and the number cared for
during the year ending that date was 1854.
On June 80, 1887, those present and absent
were 1879 and the number cared for during
the year Il, ,60S On Feb 10, 1888, there were
present in the Homes II ,473; absent 1913,
making total of 1886. Thus it will be seen
now rapid Is the increase OF InOSe neeulOg alu.
The number Of those receiving pensions among
the inmates is comparatively small, never hav-
ing amounted to one-half OF the l2 779 iu-
mates in 1887 but 5,451 were pensioners, most
Of them drawing small sums.
IT is AN INTERESTING FACT,
that in passing I cannot refrain from referring
to, that of the 13 154 inmates in 1886 there
were native born, 1887; foreign born S,3l7,
and of the 14,66S in all the Homes in 1887
there were native born, 5,s94 foreign born,
1914 proportion of foreigners to Americans
of about two to one-a statement that Is at least
comforting to ones pride as an American.
The charge is frequently made thatthe war OF
the rebellion was fought to a successful issue
very largely by the aid Of foreigners. Citizens
of foreign birth did perform spendid service
in the cause of human liberty and for the land
of their adoption, and all credit 10 them for it,
but is was the native born element that fought
this war to its grand conclusion, and this is true
of both sides in the civil strife With some diff
Guilty have obtained a table that shows the
nativity of 2,0lS, 400 Of the enlisted men of the
Union army. They were born as follows:
British Amerlc o3,ot
England 49,OOt
Ireland i44ZJL
Germany 1Io,tVl
other 80 4Ol
Unknown ...................... 26 50t
Total foreign 4y4,yS
Total American 1,5Z3oO
Grand ZOls 4OS
1t is my belief that less than 10 per cent o.
the Union army were men Of foreign birth