The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-03-17
OHAUTAUQUA.
EQUALITY IN THE UNITED STATES.
(Report for Glass by H. L. ~

(hcpOIt IOT CldSs ny H. W
have taken for my subject the equality in the
United States 1t is one of the boasts of this
try that there equal rights for all men. but
think that is bringing it down a little too Close al
though it comes nearer to it than any other coun.
try. for every here is entitled a vote provd
ing he has been here the required length of time.
and any one can run for Office No distinction is
made between acknowledgements it is the Chi
nese-and it has no titled aristocracy. But the
trouble seems to be for our government to deal
with all men as equals. For instance, see how it
deals with the widows of the soldiers of the late
war. While Mrs. Grant draws pension of S.. 600
year. the widow of poor private is lucky if she
can get Sc or So per month. Was not the private
risking as much as Grant? Did he not risk his
life and go day after day on half rations while
Grant had plenty of the best. or was he not as
dear to his wife and children Grant was to his?
When the war over the soldiers dis
charged and some returned to the places where a
few short years before they had left comfortable
and happy home to find that some rich coward.
that had not courage enough to 60 and fight for
his country, had stolen his home from his wife
and children while he was fighting for the Union.
Again, how many there we're who never returned
to the loved ones that we're watching and waiting
might be saved and left their wives and children or
aged mothers to battle with this world alone! Did
our government come then to their relief No;
but when Gen. Grant died. after holding the pres.
idency Of the United states for eight years at
salary OF $4,000 year. they gave his widow
$4,000 year to keep her from want. Now. 1 think
this government paid Gen. Grant for all that
he did for this country, but do not think it paid
the nrivafo snldiors far hat
as much they could have made at common
labor. and do not think that our government has
any right to give Mrs. Grant 49, 600 while widows
of privates get only Sc or So per month. But it is
the same old story of, God help the poor for the
rich of this world perfectly willing to share
the good things of the hereafter with the poor and
forsaken. but not the good things of this earth
Still, though do not think there are equal rights
in this country. the poor have better chance
here than in any land under the sun. and the
young men of to-day have many opportunities
to better themselves that they let pass by: but
if asked why they have not done better they will
generally say that they never had a chance that
they always had to work hard, and that If they
were rich as some young men they would do great
things. 1 do not think this any excuse, for when
we look back on the lives of those young men who
used to split rails in the back woods of Illinois,
and that bare footed boy that used to lead a mule
up and down the tow path of canal in Ohio, who
used to read by the light of tallow dips the books
they could borrow. when they should have been
taking the rest that nature demanded. we will see
that neither Abraham Lincoln nor James A. Gar.
field ever had fair chance but reached the high.
est seat in the government of the United States.
Although we may never reach the presidential
chair we can better our conditions and by do.
ing may help others to better theirs. for we must
remember that we have yet to come before q
Judge that judges a man for what he is and not
for the wealth or the amount of political influence
he has and where poverty is no disgrace.