The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-07-11
WILL. THEY REPEAL PENSION
EAWS?

The New York Press As the Demo
cratic press asks Il few leading ques-
tions as follows:
The Democratic press has been
teeming for months with assaults upon
the pension payments OF the govern
ment. There have been vicious as
saults both on the system under which
the pensions are paid and upon the
righteousness and justice OF giving the
old soldiers financial help in their dis
ability or dccliuin. years. The Demo-
cratic press undoubtedly speaks for
Democratic leaders, and both are
presumed to voice the sentiment of
the Democratic party. 1t is therefore
pertinent to ask. and not merely to
ask, but TO demand. a plain answer to
the question. What does the Demo-
cratic party propose TO do in respect
to pensions if il is intrustcd with
power: They dcnouncc the system
as outrageous-wilI they repeal il:
They denounce the payments rs too
great-will they stop the payments:
The pension issue is one ofmomcnt-
importance 10 a very large NUM-
Der of men who went into the army
with the promise of the government
that in event of death their families
should be provided with suStenancc.
and that they themselves should not
be allowed to suffer by reason of their
sacrifices of business and opportunities
TO better themselves. The Rcpuhli-
"A party has fulfilled that pledge
Loyalty and justly. Nearly $4,000
pensioners are borne on the rolls, and
in spite of Democratic charges that
camp followers, suffers and bounty
jumpers have their names on the list.
no proof has rye been produced TO
show that Il single old soldier drawing
a pension is not entitled to it. does
not need it. and does not deserve it.
The presentation cf proof wouli cut
him of at once. and vet the Demo
cratic cry continues that the system is
faulty.
There are II. 10000 voters in this
country. and the 55O,OOO pensioners
comprise of both parties scattered
through the Northern States. The
Solid South fought these veterans in
1S6l-65. Ii stands ready to cut off
their pensions whenever the Northern
doughface Democrats are ready to
make the movement. Under ltcpub-
lican legislation these pensioners are
receiving a little W $l00.O0O.000
annually-an average of less than 81
per week each.
Is the Democratic party ready TO
say that these men shall not have
these their just dues. There were
2,353.l90 claims for pensions filed up
to January |. 1891, showing over one
tenth of the voters Of the whole coun-
try TO he interested in pensions
probably Onc-fOurth of the voters in
the States north OF Mason and DixOn's
line. The groccrs, dry goods dealers.
clothing merchants and shOpkccpcrs
with whom they spend the little
money sparingly dealt out TO them by
the government have as deep interest
as they themselves in the pension
and the taxpayers in the
States have an equal interest, because
the repeal of the pension laws would
fill the poor houses. The old fellows
tho lived four years on hard tack
and coffee cannot stand the fight of
life like the vigorous men of their
own age who stayed at home. They
saved the nation. they got its graft
tudc. and they have rights TO rcmem-
brancc by rcmunerating pensions
cannot he disputed.
Will the Democratic party repeal
the pension laws when it comes into
power: Dare any Democr.t tic paper
Or leader openly avow that purpose:
Not one. Then either the charges
they make are faise-and that is the
iruth-or else the Democratic party
is unfit for control of the government.
HANNIBAL HAMLIN.
Hannibal IIamliu WAS n member of