Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-12-07
Report of Committee on Pensions to
Twenty seventh National En-
campment, q. A. r.


phan." Thus spoke Lincoln the Great
Lincoln the Just, standing revercntly
with uncovered head, in the immcdi
ate presence of cruel and devastating
war, that had already lasted foul
years, the end of which. although SC
near. his prophetic vision was not able
TO see; speaking to, for and by the au.
thority of the American people, con-
corning one Of the supreme duties OF
the hour and the future. when enter
ing for the second time upon the dis
charge of a trust committed to him by
that people.
Within few short weeks, that end
so long hoped for had come; but his
dying EYED Were not privileged to see
the full frlntloIi of his labors, and the
work so well begun and carried on by
him fell into other hands, charged
with all the trusts that the condition
implied and required; and those who
had "boInc the battle" after SO many
days turned their happy feet toward
their long-deserted homes"
A grateful nation met and received
them and gladly showered upon them
the plaudits and the honors they had
so well and hardly earned.
These ''bearers of the battle" were
Their, in the main, in the prime and
vigor of young manhood, with all the
hOnors and possibilities Of life before
them, with all the hopes born of lofty
courage and patriotic and successful
achievement beating high in their bos-
oms; and they little needed and still
less cared for material aid from the
country they had preserved and made
free. save where loss Of life or limb or
impaired health and broken constitu-
tions were presently visible: and for
such, in the main, ample and prompt
provision was made by that country.
But as the years passed by, middle
life too frequently developed into pre-
mature old age, and youth passed in
TO ripper years with galloping feet; and
alas! too soon the cxultant and hearty
soldier found that in the race of life,
there We're weights upon his feet and
burdens upon his shoulders, as the re-
suit of premature and over-hcavy
draughts upon his vitality that sadly
interfered with successful competition
in the crowd and jostle of the fierce
struggle for advancement. And still
the nation sought TO keep abreast of
the necessities OF her heroes, and, by
additional enactmcnts, to measurably
make provision for necessities of those
who sshad horne the battlp"
A quarter of a century had elapsed. !
The young had become old. the mid
dle-aged had become feeble, and the
old had crossed the river. Time, with |
ruthless fingers, had joined hands
with the ravages of war, and the two
combined had proved burden upon
the aging soldier greater than he could |
bear; and the cry went abroad that in
too many instances for the credit. hon !
or or good name of the nation, many
who had followed the flag and faced |
the fiery furnace of battle had. in |
want, fallen by the wayside, and in |
the poorhouses were looking longingly |
for the relief and comfort of the grave.
Their synpathizing comrades and
patriotic people, with one accord, voiced I
the sentiment that such was not a hu-
man administering of the sacred trust
recognized and announced by Lin
coin. As TO what the remedy should
be. mems minds differed. Many, pos
sibly majority of the survivors of the
war. believed that the time had fully
come when the name of every honora-
bly, discharged survivor should be
placed upon the pension roll. Others,
denying the right that they should re-
reive aught from their country thro'
the pension roll, stoutly resisted the
demand.
1t was under such circumstances
md dealing with these conflicting
opinions, that Congress enacted the
disability pension law of June, 1890.
This act was accepted by the surviv-
ny soldiers and by the people in gem
,all rs settlement of the question.
Cnder the administration of that law,
he poorhouse gave up its veteran
ne who chad borne the battle" was
AIRED for; and thus the sacred trust
accepted and left as legacy TO the
lation was faithfully administered.
Within few months. we hear with
sorrow and regret that all s
his must be changed; that the con-
of the law has been changed,
md the regulations and rules in re-
gard to proof and ratings, under {
which more than three hundred thou ]
and claims have been allowed and |
aid. have been revoked, and another c
of the law has been estab- Q
ishcd, and new regulations for proofs !
nd ratings, less favorable to claim c
nts, have been adopted; that board
+ revision has been organized in the :
'ension Office, charged with the duty q
I revising all these abjudicated claims Il
d accordance with this new construc- V
ion. and such changed regulations as II
. proof and ratings; that under these +
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