Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-10-08
,IyDER WHICH BANNER.
- MAKEsA DIFFERENCE WHICH
YOU FOUGHT FOR.
4, english Paper Contrasts the Treat
mept Of Veterans Under Uncle sam
and John Dull-Princs
aud Fauper.
writer in the Sunday Chronicle

writer in the Sunday Chronicle of
Manchester. England, contrasts the
ireatment OF soldiers and ex-soldiers
by the government in England and
America. He first shows how much
,,etter of is tho American while in the
regular service than is his brother
across the Atlantic. But it is when
we come to consider the question of
neusions, he says. that the American
.ys,em is calculated to make the Brit.
j.h soldiers mouth water with envy.
After four terms Of Ave years each, or
swenty years. service in all. the SOL
der of any rank, from the general
down 70 the private is entitled to re-
tire upon three-fourths of his last
wears salary. This gives the sergeant
something like Is los per month. But
beyond this-and here the marvel to
English ears begins-the American
government reasons thus: while
this man was serving us we fed him
and clothed him. Therefore it is only
fair that that portion of his income
should be considered in his pension. -
Accordingly they reckon up his rations
and his clothing on cash basis. and
allow rim three-fourths of that also.
Thus it is quite possible for a man
who enlisted at 20 years of age to re-
tire at 40 with sufficient to live upon
for the remainder Of his days. In the
case OF hundreds of Frenchmen and
Germans now living who became
American citizens by the act OF enlist
ment and have returned to their birth.
places in France or the fatherland it
is evident that the difference in the
purchasing power OF money enables
them TO enjoy the condition of gentle
men at ease and put on side" much
as an English officer on half-pay, who
could not keep up his position in Lon
don. can go TO the Channel islands and
live in style or settle down in Nor
mandy and be regarded as a grand
seigneur. The pension is always con-
,inued to the soldiers widow for life
Or to his orphans until they attain the
age Of lf.
But above and beyond this enviable
state OF things for the retired soldier
at large. the single man with twenty
years service enjoys privileges which
makes one feel sore when he thinks of
the poor old Crimean veterans whose
case Mr.. Stanhope informs us he is still
considering. The map of the United
States is cut up into six military Sec
tons. in which there are seven or eight
solders' homes for full time expired
men, which are really noble institu-
tons. Take the establishment at
Washington. for instance. and contrast
it with our Chelsea hospital. which is
best described as an asylum into which
the British veteran can not get. Three
miles from the white house. where the
president resides, in fine park of 600
acres IS a palace capable of accom-
" inodating about 200 men at time
Therein the old soldier is lodged and
boarded rs a matter of right. at the ex-
pense of the state. with all the accOmmo.
dalton OF good hotel. Each man has
his little room, and public apartme nts
of all kinds including a library, bill
liard-rooms. and every convenience of
life, with only the restriction that eac h
shall conform to certain rules of
health and sanitary regulations for the
general comfort. And for all this
there il no deduction from the PEN
sion. II is bachelor hall, but even an
old married man has the privilege OF
residing there and supporting his wife
and younger children out of his pen.
sion, outside. Moreover as the men
are in great measure their own serv-
ants. every inmate who accepts posi-
ton in the place. such rs gatekeeper,
gardener, bo0kkeeper. or what not.
even to waiting on the table. receives
q salary for his services. As the old
me mess in common, the expense is
OF course not very great; but the point
Is they are not in the wOrkhOuse nor
subject to anybody's commands. cap
rices or insults. Even the president
himself could not enter the place and
order one OF the Inhabitants to bring
him q chair. He would have to ask
Tor it civilly. They are the honored
proteges of the nation. held in rever-
ence and treated with respect
" But they do trot out as many Of
HcU HoLOfeu veterans Us are aDIe tC
walk on every occasion OF national re.
loicing or to lend grace to the unveil-
ing OF a statue or the opening of new
public building or what not. And
then it is the custom to make much Of
them, and men crowd around to shake
hands with them and women to kiss
and hug them. And they give them
TO eat and drink of the best and 9
front seat at the theater. Strong
young men get out of the way OF the
old veterans on crutches and take of
their hats to them. And the people,
who are nation of sharp traders, cute
dealers and sharp practitioners in al
Inc ordinary affairs OF life. just put
a their smartness in their pockets and
! make use Of their hands to clap anc
n their lungs to cheer whenever the sur
vivors Of the war OF secession turn ou
IN body to honor the public festival
And the young recruit. as he presents
arms to the shattered fragments o
''rant's or Sherman's command wa!
Oack in {ho sEnSs 1cc q, %oou ~ midi