The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-07-02
Read Better than Pension " on page 2
A JUST CRITICISM.
To What Men Have to Submit to Obtain Pens

To What Men Have 10 Submit 10 Obtain n Pension
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Is thisa "Goy-
eminent of the people, for the people, and by
the people" rs has been so often and so widely
proclaimed from the platform, and with
oratOTical emphasis? If so, then why should
there be such invidious discrimination in the
matter Of pensions? The bill that passed the
last session of the House of Representatives.
called the Service Pension BILL" was opposed
by the Senate, and rejected, because il did not
discriminate between rich aud poor, and yet
these honorable Senators, on both sides Of the
chamber, voted, as it was unqucstionably right
10 do to pension widows who were so fOrtu-
nate as TO be the wives Of Presidents and
Generals ia high command, and that, too, when
il was VIGOROUSLY true that the wolf was not
bowling about the door Of these widows TIE
writer reveres the name Of Gen. Banks, and
would withhold no honor from him; lie served
under him in the Red River expedition.
When it was proposed to pension this veteran
warrior and statesman, it was argued in both
Houses of Congress that il was q deserved
honor; all of which is true. Is the honor
less deserged on the part of soldiers in the
ranks who endured hardships unknown to
men of Gen. Bankss high statiOn2 These
men who composed the rank aud file Of the
army went from the pulpit and the bar from
college halls, froui the anvil, the plow, and the
loom, and from every station Of life. In their
veins flowed the best blood Of the Nation
They turned their backs on all the comforts
and endeaTmcnts Of home; their ties Of nature
were strained 10 the almost tension. Murmur-
less they endured the hardships and dangers of
war, because of their love Of their country, and
yet when old age, with itsaccUmuated iuGrmi-
ties resting upon them, they, in the hour of
need, ask the Government they saved for q
little help they are denounced 2s raiders on
the Treasury, and in other terms that should
make Que blush TO associate with the noble
men to whom the country owes all for what it
is to-day, regenerated and redeemed, the
noblest Of all the Nations Of the earth
To obtain u pension at all, even so pitiably
small as to be unworthy Of the name the petit
TONER if unfortunately he filed an humble
sphere in the army, must submit to terms in
the nature of the thing which are disgusting
and degrading, and from which any man Of
self respect would shrink with an instructive
shudder. The appearance before o board of
physicians in a state Of nudity is not all of the
sickcuing conditions imposed BY the Govern
ment of, for, and by The people.
The writer is a minister OF the Gospel, serv-
ing little church for very little pronunciation,
but for all his service is worth; he is advanced
I'M age, broken in health, and poor Twice
during the civil conflict lie went from the pull
pis into the ranks of the army and served to
the close Of the war, and 10 was not asked of
him IN enIlsting 10 submit 10 SuCh revolving
ordeal. As lie was never owing 10 his calling,
subject to the draft, he suppCsCs no was actu-
ated by patriotism in entering the conflict,
but he confesscs that his patriotism was not
sufficient 10 have sunk him TO = level with such
degrading conditions, and he would now seek
the shelter of an almshOuse rather than de-
Grade himself and his sacred Office 10 obtain q
pension from Government that claims to be
Of the people, for the people. and by the people.
A puefu
Sterling, Mass.