The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-06-19
State Pensions For Confederate Sol.
{iferS,
Hon, The IFIalhalla Courier.

BOHEMIAN, S. c., May Goth, 1890.
Editors Of the Courier; There was
piece written and printed by the Colum.
bia Req;ster and requested to be copied
BY the weekly and daily papers of the
State, with such comments as they
deemed necessary and proper to further
the object, in which the article says for
all the disabled ex Confederates to
assemble, after due notice, at their re.
spectiye county sites on the first Monday
in June, and offer certain resolutions and
make certain demands on those who are
aspirants for the Legislature, that they
will ask that the State will grant an an.
nual appropriation Of one hundred and
fifty dollars to every ex.Confederate SOL
dier of the State who lost an arm or leg
End. That it grant to each disabled sol.
dier the gum of one hundred dollars
annually.
Now, Mr.. Editor, we think the above
suggestions are good, but there being so
few in the counties who have lost an arm
or leg they are powerless to do anything
within themselves, unless they could get
the hearty cooperation and sympathy of
chose who faced the shot and shell and
know something of the hardships and
privations these veterans had to endure,
to unite with them and demand their
rights. Is it possible that our people
have become SO dead to the Lost Cause
and those who fought and bled for it that
they will not unite with these cripples
and help them to secure what we believe
they are justly entitled to? These old
veterans have said nothing through en-
barrassmep ept, thinking that the Ilegisla.
ture would do something for them; but
alas ! they have been woefully disap-
pointed. 1t is to be hoped that our Leg
islature in the future will not sleep over
this matter as they have done in the
past. The past Legislature did have
appropriated small pension to certain
class, but there is another class that they
missed that in many cases need it worse,
but from the simple fact that he or his
wife, one or both together, are so fortu.
nate as to have the pitiful sum ofS500
be is not entitled to it. Many of these
cripples, one arm aud one legged men,
are following the pillow and have daily to
earn a support for their families, and
when they lie down at night they can't
sleep with their wounded limbs from the
fatigue of the day. Think of it, you low
ers Of liberty Think of it those of you
who have sympathizing hearts, will you
let these heroes who fought for our coun-
try drag out their lives miserably here
when you can prevent it! Besides, you
know it is impossible for these men to
educate their children. Ofthe rich class
that lost their limbs I have nothing to
say. South Carolina boasts of the cour.
age of her sons; she boasts of their
patriotism. Was she not frat to lead US
into the trouble? Then why not sustain
her cripples who fought for it We
kuow that the State claims to be too poor
to peusion her soldiers. This may be
true, but she don't fail to appropriate
money for everything else that she needs,
and some things she could do without,
in our opinion. South Carolina boasts
of her rapid progress in number of rail-
roads, phosphate business and manufec
tories. From the present outlook within
81 few years these sources will reduce our
taxes as moderately as any State in the
Union Then why not grant these Grip.
Piles pension2 There are but few of
them, probably not more than one or two
dozen to County, who are not already
receiving pensions. The State loves to
pay her debts. Then why not pay these
maimed soldiers? It is q debt she owes
them of twenty five years standing, and
they are sti! waiting patiently. Then
let our State leave off some of her
extravaganza about the State House and
Columbia Canal and reduce the salaries
of officers, do away with unnecessary
Offices and give the poor cripple soldiers,
who fought and bled for our country aud
lost their limbs in defence of our liber-
ties, pension, and lhcn we will feel our
conscience clear. G.