The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-09
The Nation and the Old Soldier.

The Nation ana the Old soldier.
1t is not surprising that some worthy
pensioners and Union veterans OF limited
intelligence should regard any proposal to
attack tho abuses OF the present system as
q blow aimed Mt themselves. This is per-
fcctly natural. and tho misrepresentation
will DO removed only when they have dis
covered that tho publication OF the pension
list by eliminating tho frauds and tho ma
lingerers Is really measure for their own
protection and in their interest.
Nor Is it surprising that the multitude OF
personally honest men now enjoying PEN
siors to which they are not morally, al
though perhaps at present legally entitled,
should entertain hazy ideas OF the rights and
wrongs OF tho question. For twenty-five
years tho Republican party. for roliticni and
partisan reasons. has brcn doing its best to
educate these veterans in tho theory that
four years or ono years or thirty days
service In tho army constitutes perpet-
unl claim on the national Treasury. md n
policy ofinsurance FOR Ito against all posi-
lie accidents OF adverse fortune. Any a.-
tempt to reduce our colossal aud obviously
excessive pension expenditure. already
nearly equal to the entire revenue OF tho
Government from customs duties. already
thrice tho entire annual cost of Government
when tho war began, Is bound to DO resisted
by thousands who profit uniustly by tho
folly OF past Legislation. This resistance
must be taken for granted in nd
vance. Tho poor pcnsoner who now
draws so much month because ho
fell from n sterladdcr ten years after
the war ended. and the millionaire pcn-
sioner who now draws so much n month on
account OF n wound actually received in
service. but now healed us perfectly as the
vaccination wound Of his childhood. and
with no more effect upon his subsequent
capacity to earn n fortune and manage it
like other prosperous citizens. are sure to
raise the familiar cry about nations in
gratitude to its defenders. With pension
ers OF this sort the legitimate recipient Of
Government aid, under any honest and
reasonable application Of the principles on
which pensions are granted by Govern
ments. has no interest in common.
Further. IL is to be expected that there
will come from the vast army OF pension
ers who are shaky now when they reflect
OH the methods by which their pensions
were procured for them. n concerted howl
about the insult offered TO the old soldier by
any scrutiny OF the milion-long list.
Insult? 1t seems to us that the insult to
the honest veteran and worthy pensioner
was offered when his respected name was
sandwiched on the rolls between tho mule
kicked desertcr and the mercenary who
was never nearer battlefield than the re-
cruiting office where he signed for his big
bounty in 65. or the pension shark 8 back
Office where his claim was concocted TWEEN
ty years after '65!
The statesmen and the journals that 60
In for publication OF the pension list must
be prepared to face opposition and perhaps
abuse from these various quarters. Tho
main question for them to ask and answer
Ia whether q pension list which includes
mare names by several hundred thousands
than there were soldiers in active service in
all Of the armies OF the Union at any ono
time during the war. does or does not need
revision now that it threatens to bankrupt
the Treasury.
They will find that the bulk Of the Grand
Army organization is with them. They will
get constant encouragement and support
from organs like the Grand Army Gazette.
from which we copy some significant re-
marks this morning. And they will have
the backing OF the American people, as
grateful now as at any time past for the
sacrifices Of those who fought and suffered
and died that the Union might be preserved.