The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-09-25
To Pension Ex- Confederates.

Houston Post.
From the very comprehensive report
published by the Marshal Starr of
the proceedings at the recent reunion
OF the brigades of Ross, Ector and
Granbury, the following excerpt is
taken DIR. r. B. Lignoski made an
earnest talk urging upon the veterans
that each member should constitute
himself a committee of one to see his
representatives and state senator and
urge the passagelof law to pension
all Texas soldiers who are unable to
provide for themselves and their
families. The motion was put and
carried. The papers of the State
were requested to publish the resolu-
zion, and to use their influence for
the passage of such a law. 1t was
the sentiment that the law
should embrace all such in
digent soldiers who went from
Texas, regardless of their present resi-
dence. Similar resolutions were
passed by, the other brigades," I'm
fortunately the constitution, accor-
ding to the views of the strict con-
structionists, prevents the state giving
direct aid to her disabled heroes. In
the view OF these gentlemen who have
thus far been able to control the legis-
lative policy, the constitution must
be ame1ned before the state can APP
propriate dollar either for pensions
or for the main tenance of the Con-
federate Home. The Democracy of
the state in conven ton assembled I'm
$50, 'SS and again in 1890 pronounced
in favor Of state aid for the Confeder
ate Home, but the amendment sup.
posed to be prerequisite to this aid
has never been submitted to the peo-
pie. AS the Democrats have had
control of both branches of the legis-
lature ever since state aid for the Home
has been recognized tent of the
party policy, why no such amendment
has been submitted is not altogether
clear. Declarations OF principles are
excellent things in their way but
amount to little without an "enacting
clause" 1t is useles, at this late day
TO rehearse the story OF the valor, self
sacrifice and suffering OF the ex Con-
federates of Texas. That story is
known to all men. That many Of
these men whose deeds will ever con-
stitute the states chief crown Of
glory are now III q pitiable state of
restitution is still known. A quarter
OF a century has rolled away sin Q
they came staggering back to their
homes torn with shot and shell, racked
by disease, worn out with hardships
incredible. Orators have pleaded that
they should not be allowed TO sink
into paupers' graves; conl entions have
met and resolved petitions intermina-
BILE have been signed newspapers have
pleaded, expostulated, but nothing
has yet been done. Year by year the
ranks grow thinner; year by year the
heroes of Texas sink even more rap
idly on LIES battlefield, crushed by
overwhelming odds. Eulogies, resolu-
tions of conventions, resolutions of
public meetings, petitions, are poor re-
Inducements to send forward to worn
and wounded men, locked in the
great death struggle with the twin
demons, disease and want. Let Texas
stop resoluting, eulogizing and peroat-
ing long enough to do something sub
stantial for the men she prof e,es to
love so well. III the constitution for
bids an act of justice, of gratitude-if
it forbids the mother to take her
stricken sons to her bosom, and COM
pels her to look on as they perish OF
neglect-in Gods name let it be
amended, and that quickly. Texas
can easily out of her abundance pro.
vide for those in extreme need.
Those without families could be
gathered together and provided for at
the home. Those with families should
not be separated from them, but be
provided with a pension that with
judicious management would procure