The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-03-15

voted for the Mexican service pension
bill, not because l believed it was
wholly justifable, but for the purpose
of removing the last obstacle in the
pathway of giving a service pension
to every surviving soldier of the
Union armies.
The Mexican war was waged in the
interest Of the Democratic party, for
the extension Of the area of human
slavery. A very large proportion of
those who fought were from the
Southern States, and a very large
part of those who have been benefited
by it. believed then and | know now,
had served in the Confederate army.
Who do you suppose was the first
man who received a pension under
the Mexican pension bill? Who was
the first beneficiary Of this service
pension bill? Was it some disabled,
mutilated, INDECENT veteran, who, as
the Senator from Alabama has assured
US, fought under the American flag
in that great war, and acquired that
enormous area of which the State Of
Kansas was once part?
1t seems to me that ] can imagine
that venerable, decrepid, and aged
survivor Of the Mexican war marching
up to General John G. Black, the
physical wreck who is getting 800
month as totally disabled Union
soldier, to ask him that the benefcence
Of $S month might be doled out to
him for the service he rendered in the
Mexican war; Who stands pr9mus
inter pdres on that roll of honor,
shining and illustrious, as an illustra-
tion Of a nations gratitude? John
S. Williams, ex-senator from KY,
man who would resent as personal
imputation any ayerment of any
description whatever that he was not
an absolutely sound, hale, strong, and
competent man. We recollect the
brown tresses that waved over the
brow of that veteran, the appearance
of youth and vigor, of almost boyish
juvenility that was wont to ac-
company him; man who was an
aspirant for an appointment on the
Interstate Commission, who wanted
to be reelected to this body; a man
who is generally suspected of being in
the enjoyment of an ample fortune;
an applicant for the position Of
minister to Mexico; man who
rendered, as I am told, distinguished
service as a Kentucky Confederate in
the armies that were marshaled
against the American Union!
And yet, Mr.. President, because we
ask that to the ten or twelve thousand
disabled soldiers and INDECENT veterans
of the Union Army who are now the
objects Of charity some relief shall be
granted, We are told that it is an in
furious extension Of the nations
liberality, when as matter Of fact
every one knows that the benefactions
and donations Of the Mexican service
bill were indefinitely wider and more
expansive than anything that has
been proposed by the bill that is now
pending before US as proposed even to
be amended by the Senator from
Iowa.
Mr. President, as the comrades of
the Grand Army Of the Republic have
been stigmatized in this debate as a
band Of sordid mercenaries, organized
for the purpose of plundering the
public Treasury, and, like the legions
of Rome, ready either to be bid for or
to be hidden against for the control
Of the empire. [ will read paragraph
or two before | close from the journal
of the twenty-frst annual session of
the National Encampment held at
st. Louis on the 28th, 29th, and 3Qth
Of September last, that organization
which the Senator from Missouri says
through it's officers had insolently
aspersed the Chief Magistrate of the
Republic and threatened him with
personal indignity if he attempted to
visit the city of St. Louis at the time
when that encampment was being
held. In the name of that organiza-
ton, so far as | can speak for it, |
,repudiate and deny that assertion.
No threats of discourtesy, no men,
aces of violence, no hostile criticism
was indulged against, the Chief Magis-
trate by the Grand Army Of the
Republic. He could have gone to St.
Louis with entire safety. He knew
that he did not deserve well of that
organization and he felt the stings of
that conscience which makes towards
Of us ALL" The commander of the
Grand Army of the Republic says:
Il heartily congratulate all who
have the pleasure to attend this great
reunion of old comrades whose friend
ship was welded in the hot fame of
battle, in the camp, on the march, and
cemented by the love which all bore
and still maintain for the Union. In
Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty, we
stand, proud of the fact that there
is not now nor has there ever been
any bitter feelings of hate for those
Of our fellow-citizens whu, once in
arms against US, but now being loyal,
have long ago taken their old-time
places in our hearts, never, we devout-
Iy hope, to be removed therefrom.
We have not now, nor have we at any
time since the war closed, had any
disposition to open again the bloody
chasm which once unhappily divided
this people. We not only will not
ourselves reopen that dreadful abyss,
but we will, with the loyal people
North and South, protest against all
attempts which others may make to
do so, by holding up for especial honor
and distinction anything that pertains
to or in any manner glorifes the cause
of disunion.
with the people of the South we
only seek to continue the friendly III
valry long ago entered upon in the eff
fort to make our beloved land great
and prosperous and its people intelli-
gent, happy, and virtuous.
"We will rival them in exalting all
that pertains to and honors this great
Union and in condemning everything
that tends to foster a hostile senti-
ment thereto. We will rival them in
earnest endeayors to inculcate in the
| n,ipdc re oil tho oitizanS Of fhiS ooun