The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-12-23
AN OLD SOLDIER OF 1861,
He Defends the Pension Policy Of the
Government by Som" strong
Arguments.
| ncic sam is only Fulfilling the
Pledges Made to the Brave
Boys III Blue.

Old soldiers all over the union are dis
cussing the pension question. and il viii
interest Great Falls readers to heal
what n Of the brave honored veterans
who lives in their ..idst has to say on
the subject. There is Il mlsapprehcnsion
regarding Mr.. Cleveland's attitude on
pensions. and also regarding that Of the
democratic press. There is no republi-
can in or out of Office who desires t. see
full justice done TO the soldiers more
strongly than Mr.. Cleveland does. and
the only objection made by the demo
cratic press is the same one that is made
by thousands of the veterans to the eff
feet that many who were entirely I'M
worthy have been placed on the pension
rolls through a political pull and that
! corruption and robbery have run ram
pant i'll the pension bureau under the
administration Of Corporal Tanner and
Grcen b. l;aum.
Below is printed Il true, sincere and
interesting exposition Of the question by
Washington Muzzy. who says:
Having been requested TO give my
views of the pension question. for publ
cation in TnE TRIBUNE. by one who is
also having something to say on that
subject, ! will give what an old soldier
thinks of the present discussion. or
rather how he sees things. being aware
that he is likely to differ with TIM
tribune in his conclusions, which will
hc all right. if TmE TRinuNE really tie.
sircs to give its readers more than one
side Of the question.
The writer was thirty-thrcc years old
when he enlisted in the army Of the
union in the fall Of 1861. and served in the
army forty-scven months. or. to the close
of the war. lie went into the army know
ing well what war meant, that it was no
picnic. AMI that the army in gray meant
10 hurt somebody unless they could have
their way. and that was Just what we
enlisted in the union army to prevent.
! knew that many who went south would
never return. and that my chance was
good to be one Of them, but hone and a
strong feeling Of loyalty prompted me.
rather than the muniiicent SiG per
month. ana the luxurious supplies of
| nited States hard tack and 5. b.
The promise of the government to care
for me if disabled, and to provide for NV
family if | lost my life in the service. did
have ii great influence in deciding me
to take my chances as Il private in the
The magnitude Of the contest.
and valor of the c%ontending armies, pro-
duced such a host Of war widows and
children, as well as disabled soldiers as
no nation in modern times had under
taken to care for.
Called. as were the numbers of l0val
men, from homes and peaceful pursuits.
of the duties of a soldier. save
A few of the more thoughtful, and best
posted. at the urgeut need of the nation
n It's peril. they came and as if by
magic. were transformed into brave,
stern soldiers that were the pride OF
heir commanders. And today, we see
their brave work, not anarchy. nor a
nation, but great nation
lnited, and surprisingly prosperous,
heritage worthy Of the offspring of such
pdtriot fathers. These old soldiers have
lone their duty, and nobly have they
it. In return. is due the gratitude
Il natlon-thcir nation and the com
,!etc fulfillment. without prumbling of
very pledge made to them TO iudJre !
hem to sacrifice home. friends. and even ,
ifc.' mayhap. For the nation has grown
nd prosperrd beyond cpmuare. So thai !
Notwithstanding the enormous outlay IF
money in the payment of pensions. tIrrr I
as been at times an enbarrassinn sur. 4
lus in the national treasury. and If tLo .
anne time no man or class. Inns fol, The i
of tax upon them. !
rs the soldiers rrow Old. dlsrasrs nr
cid in control hy the yipor Of middle {
sc begin to overcome their wrakcnino :
ames. and they find themselves he;n1 ,
to pentrr, while their pride has !
cpt them all these wears from anpIyInU i
r. a pension until MANY. and sometimes
4 thrir witnpsGne ara do,l nr loo, Ill, - =,