The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-09-10
ONE OF OUR CONSTITUENTS.
What an Examining Sargcon Thinks or The Ma.
iional Trbuno's Work.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I do not
know that il would be encouraging TO you
for me 10 say IT, for doubtless you already
know that you are doing noble work, aud
your paper is accomplishing 2 great good. For
me 10 have said this 10 you reminds me Of tho
man who told the preacher after the sermon
had closed that he had preached great SER
mon. The minister replied that the devil had
already told him 50.
Bat DO trust that better character is ad-
dressing you On this occasion. Your paper not
only contains the latest political news, but
those Old war stories are well worth the sub
scription price Of the paper. Besides. those
scientific pieces on zoology, OrnitholOgy
Health Hints" etc, think, make il one Of
the cheapest newspapers now extant.
But the one thing far above all others which
makes me appreciate your paper is that you are
doing worthy, charitable work by champion.
ing the cause Of those SCARED old veterans who
breasted the storms Of bullet on many a hard
fought battlefield, preserved the country in
tact, made Us the most powerful and freest
country on the earth. the pride aud boast Of all
the world. The ilimitablc benefits given 10
us by the dauntless valOT Of our old comrades
never viii nor never can be properly appreci-
aicd by the American people; aud now after
these old soldiers have made this noble sacri-
hcc-l0st four years Of the best days Of their
lives that should have been spent in school or
pursuing their various vocatiOus in acquiring
competency 10 make them comfortable in
their old agc-and now, / say, after they have
offered even their bodies as "A sacrifice on tho
altar Of their country, and no less than 500 600
OF the most noble characters Of manhood and
yalor that ever poured out their iifc's blood
upon the field Of battle, aud who. If they could
speak, would with one accord cry out with Te-
pioach and shame for those who are trying TO
thwart every plan that is put forward by tho
soldiers friends 10 secure for the old soldier a
plttancc in his old age aud decrepitude that lie
may not want for the necessaries mot tho lux
nrlcsJ Of life, now that lie is not able 10 work,
the great majority being prematurely disabled
IN consequence Of the hardships endured while
in the service, for il is fact that nearly every
soldier who served for three years or more is
physically disabled thereby.
u rs true That there are some executions TO
this rule, hut they arc rare indeed. / am one
Of the exceptions. ! am larger aud stronger
than when ] enlisted in the army, but have
lost my wind" i can't work. IL may be due
20 the gunshOt wound / rccci we'd, but | don't
believe il is al due 10 that, and IL did not
have profession do not believe ! could make
a decent living for my family ! have exam
lncc hundreds of old soldiers, both in my Dri-
yate practice and as United States Examinin,
Surgeon, and the per cent. which hud that ia
perfectly sound is almost nil. Now, il is a fact.
too, that this Is not so-at least not Of 80 great
per ccnt-with men Of the same age who did
not serve ia the army, which is prima-facie eyi.
dence that they are not all telling a falsehood
when they say that they are disabled since the
service.
But, comrades, Is IL not burning shame that
this the wealthiest Nation on the face OF the
earth, will permit hundreds Of her old soldiers
10 20 10 the almshouse aud exc out miserable
and forlorn existence at the hands Of public
charity, iorsaken and neglected by the world,
and when dead, buried in the pottersGeld
"unwcpt and unsung"Y / ask, in the name of
humanity, is this just retribution for the in
estimable service rendered the country by these
old yeterausY But / will desisi, as / have al
read made this letter too long. But my blood
runs hot, and ! become impatient when con.
template these things.-W. T. CAMP, n. d.,
Springfield, Mo.