The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-22
THE CONFEDERATE VETERANS.

In recent article on pensions for Con.
federate veterans, the Daily States, OF New
Orleans, discusses at considerable length a
question In which the people Of everv South
ern Commonwealth are deeply interested as
appealing to their instincts Of pride and
gratitude. After pointing out that the
state Of Louisiana usually contributes
s.. 800. 900 TO the national pension f,,..d,
which is devoted TO The export Of those
who took part in me late war on the Union
side, tie states asserts as gratifying tact
that Louisiana will soon be in aposition TO
make an annual appropriation for the ben ?
III OF the Confederate soldiers included In
the military quota from that State who still
survive. The money to be appropriated for
this purpose will be derived nom an amend
ment TO the State revenue laws, and will
amount to about fifty thousand dollars.
This large sum will receive an addition OF
fifty thousand dollars In 1896 from the relief
TO the engineering. charities and Ievee funds,
and from time to time as may appear exc
pedient or necessary, the Legislature will
make other appropriations.
1t is, however, fully assured that after the
lapse of very few years the State OF Louis
Jana will have in its treasury round SUN
Of 100000, TO be appropriated annually for
the support OF the Confederate veterans in
its confines who left their native State TO
battle for the cause Of the South in the late
war.
The solicitude which the people OF Louis
lana have shown in this matter is worthy
Of the very warmest commentator, and
the example which they propose TO set
should be followed by every Southern State
as soon as its financial condition shall JUS
ufy so sacred an expenditure on its part.
The New Orleans States only echoes the
universal sentiment OF the Southern people
when it says that the southern States have
a great many surviving wounded and dis.
abled soldiers of the Confederate Army who
deserve and need pensions equally with
their late antagonists. They served from
motives equally pure. No soldiers ever vol.
unteered in a nobler or more manly spirit.
They served from a magnanimous pride,
obeying the call Of their States and country,
in cause that seemed to them and their
brethren Of the South as honorable and AS
patriotic as self-defense can ever be. They
endured all the hardships Of soldiers life
practically without pay, and with scant
subsistence. After bearing for years the
rough fare and untold fortunes of army life,
in camp, in hospitals, on dreary marches,
on bloody fields and in horrid prisons, they
returned to their ruined homes. The most
of the survivors went 10 work resolutely
but a great many thousands were disquali
= fed by wounds and sickness, and could
not work.
These men and the widows and orphans
3 Of those who fell in service are entitled e
b subsistence. There is no Government e
= provide for them except the Government
t of their States, and some Of the Southern
: States have made such provisions in par
l. only"
Y AS the financial condition of the Southern
States improves, there IS an increasing dis
: position on the part Of them all TO maxi
a provinisn for the old age Of the men VIII
n sacrificed so much for the cause OF thei
r country. The day will yet arrive wheI
I every commonwealth from MARYLAND I
J. Texas will have established cOmmOdiou
J. and comfortable soldiers homes in whic
/ the last years Of the Confederate veteran
: who shall need assistance shall be passes
D in mental peace and physical ease.