Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-09-29
AWAYFROM THE WAR
Peculiar Offering Made by the
Democracy to the Patriots
of the Union.
Pension Laws Endangered by
the Ascendency of Gro
yer Cleveland.
The Republican Party Rightly
Regarded as the Sol
diers' Party.


reunion it is fitting that the contrast of
the two great parties on the pension
question be shown.
The republican party was the party
of the union when the union was in
peril from democratic assaults. Repub-
Hcans rejoiced when there was union
victory, and the attitude of the repub-
lican party has been substantially i'll
favor of the soldier during the twenty
seven years that have elapsed since the
war closed. 1t was expressed by
Colonel Robert G. IngersOl as follows:
And right here l want to thank
every soldier that fought to make it
free. Every one, living and dead.
These heroes are dead. They are at
rest. They sleep in the land they made
free, under the flag they rendered
stainless, under the solemn pines, the
sad hemIocks, the fearful willows and
the embracing vines. They sleep
beneath the shadow of the clouds, care
less alike of the sunlight or Of storm,
each in the windowless palace of resi-.
Earth may run red with other wars
they are at peace. In the midst of bal
tie, in the roar of conflict, they found
the serenity of death. | have one Senti-
ment for the soldier living and dead
cheers for the living and tears for the
dead"
In answer to these burning and elO-
Quent words of Colonel Ingersoll, what
has the democratic party to offer? Two
candidates who took no part in the war
for the union. Grover Cleveland, who
had snecrs for the living pensioners and
vetoes for the pensions Of the dead
heroes widows. In common with thou
sands Of other democrats the demo-
cratic candidates believe the average
soldier shouldered his muSlIet for the
money there was in it," and that hay
ing once been paid the nations debt to
its soldiers has been cancelled.
The mastering of this vast host, the
marches to the battlefieldS, the fierce
engagements, the frightful calm that
falls like Il pail upon the scenes Of
bloody carnage, the widespread sorrow
and attlictiOn that followed never seem
to have commanded their attention, o.
cupicd their minds nor thrilled the I
souls. No utterance public or private,
has ever been preserved TO Indicate
that either Cleveland or Stevenson
ever thought of those dead heroes 50
sympatheticalIy referred to by the
great republican orator.
There is Il growing undercurrent OF
belief that if Grover Cleveland is elect
ed he will recommend and succeed in
securing legislation that will repeal
some of the present pension laws and
prevent all further legislation favor
able to the union soldier All demo-
Gratis when not talking for publication,
talk this way All democratic states
men give grudgingly and bubble over
the annual expenditures for pensions
And yet ignoring entirely the senti-
mental side of the question, the present
pension rolls, when all facts are con-
sidered, are of comparatively small
moment rs rich and prosperous as the
United States.
The public debt has been almost WHIP
ed out and the interest on our bonds
has been faithfully paid. That was a
legal and righteous debt to those who
loaned freely their money III the dark
and doubtful days of civil war and it's
attendant uncertainties. From nearly
$144,000,000 in 1867, the annual amount
paid to those who held the bonds OF
the United States has dwindled to S37.
100000 i'll 1891. No soldier, no patrioG.
has ever raised his voice against tue
discharge of this debt.
But is the debt to those who lost
their lives, or who We're wounded OF
manned, or who contracted disease BY
which their usefulness has been i'm
paired and their days shortened any
less sacred, less binding or less import
ant to maintain the integrity of the
government! In twenty years we have
paid nearly $1,000, 100000 of the priv
cipal of our national debt and So, 500
100000 i'll interest. During the same
time we have paid out only $1,000
100000 in pensions, or Il trife more
than half the amount paid in interest
on the public debt. Here are some
facts as to pensions and interest on the
national debt: