Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-11-14
REPORT OF PENSIONS COMMITTEE
TO TwENTY.sEvENTn NATIONAL I'm
CAMPMENT, q. A. Il.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND, Sept. ], 1893.
Your Committee on Pensions beg to sub
matt the JolloriRg Report and Resoln-
ioas on the subject Of Pensions:
"To bind up the Nations's wounds; to
care for him who shall have borne the
battle, aud for his widow and orphan"
Thus spake Lincoln the Great, Lincoln
the Just, standing reverently, with un-
covered head, In the immediate presence
Of a cruel and devssting war, that had
already lasted four years, the end Of
which, although so near, his prophetic
vision was not able to see; speaking to,
for and By the authority OF the Amcri-
can People, concerning one Of the
supreme duties of the hour and the
future, when entering for the second
time upon the discharge OF trust COM
mitted to him by that people.
Within few short weeks that end so
long hoped for had come; but his dying
eyes were not privileged to see the full
fruition of his labors, and the work so
well begun aud carried on by him fell In
to other hands charged with all the trusts
that the condition implied and required;
and those who had "b0rne the battle"
after so many days stunned their happy
feet toward their long -deserted homes"
A grateful nation met and received
them, aud gladly showered upon them
the plaudlts and hon0rs they had 30
well and hardly earned.
These "bearers OF the battle" were
then, In the main, In the prime and
vlgor of young manhood, with all the
honors aud possibilities OF life before
them, with all the hopes born OF lofty
courage and patriotic and successful
achievement beating high In their
bosoms and they little needed and still
less cared for material aid from the
country they had preserved and made
free, save where loss or life or limb or
impaired health and broken c0nstitu-
lions 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 Into
ripper years with galloplng feet; and
alas! too soon the exultant and hearty
soldier found that In the race Of life
there were weights upon his feet and
burdens upon his shoulders, as the re-
suit Of premature and over-heavy
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 add
tional enactments TO measurably make
provision for the necessities Of those
who had 'b0rne the BATTLE"
A quarter of century had elapsed.
The young had become old, the middle
sged had become feeble, and the old had
crossed the river. Time, with Its ruth
less 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, honor or good
name Of the nation, many who had fol-
lowed the dag and faced the fiery fur
mace Of battle, had 10 want fallen by the
wayslde, and In the poor-houses were
looking longingly for the relief and
comfort OF the grave.
Their sympathizlpg comrades and a
patriotic people, with one accord, voic-
ed the sentiment that such was not q
human administering OF the sacred trust
recognized aud announced by Lincoln. |
Az to what the remedy should be mems |
minds differed. Many, possibly major |
lty Of the survivors Of tho war, believed
that the time had fully come when the |
name OF every honorably discharged |
survivor should be placed upon the PEN |
sion roll. Others, denying the right |
that they should receive aught from
their country through. the pension roll,
stoutly resisted the demand.
Il was under such circumstances and
dealing with these conflicting opinions,
that congress enacted the disability pen.
sion law Of June, 1890. This act was 40
cepted BY the surviving soldiers and BY
The people In general 40 q settlement OF
The question. Under the administration
Of that law, the poor.house gave up iu
veteran-he who had borne the battle
Vas cared for; and thus the sacred trust
accepted and left 20 q legacy 70 the
nation Was faithfully administered.
Within few months We hear with
profound sorrow and regret that al this
must b changed: that the construction
u the Law has been changed, and the
and rules In regard 70 proof