Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-10-19
of Committee
P ansions
TWENTY SEVENTH NATIONAL ENCAAiP
MENT e. a. r.

INDIANAPOLIS. IND, SEPT. Z, 1898
Foar Caamutee o. Passions 90 % submit ne
Joti0eug Rporf aaa Resolutions 81 ne
sa5jsa ~ pensions.
ITO bind up the Nations wounds to
care for him who shall have borne the
battle, and for his widow and orphan.
Thus spoke Lincoln the Great Lincoln
the Just, standing reverently. with an
covered head, IN the immediate pre-
sence of a cruel and Devastating war
that had already lasted four years. the
end OF which, although 50 near, his pro-
phetic vision was not able to see; speak
ing to, for and by the authority of the
American people, concerning one Of the
supreme duties Of the hour and the fu-
.ure, when entering for the second time
upon the discharge of trust committed
to him by that people.
Within a few short weeks that end 50
long hoped for had come; but his dying
eyes were not privileged to see the fall
fruition 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 re-
quired. and those who had horne the
battle after so many days turned
their happy feet toward their long de-
serted 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
then, in the main. in the prime and
vigor of yourg manhood, with all the
honors and possibilities of life before
them, with all the hopes born of lofty
courage aud patriotic and successful
achievement beating high in their
b0soms; 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-
tons were presently visible; and for
such, in the main, ample and prompt
provision was made by that country.
Blu, IS the years passed by, middle
life too frequently developed into pre-.
mature al ago, and youth passed into
ripper years with galloping feet; and alas
too soon the exultart and hearty soldier
found that in the race OF life there were
weights upon bis feet and burdens upon
his shoulders. rs the result of prema,
ture and over-heavy draughts upon his
vitality, that sadly intcrfered with sue
cessful competition in The crowd and
jostle Of the fierce 5 'ruggle for advance
ment And stu the nation sought to
keep abreast of Die necessities Of her
heroes. and by additional enactments to
measurably make provision for the ne
cessitles of those who had borne the
battle.
a quarter Of a century had elapsed.
The young had become old the middle
aged had become feeble, and the old
had crossed the river. Time, with its
ruthless fingers, had Joined hands with
tue ravages Of war, and The two COM
hiucd had proved d burden upon the
aceng soldier greater tha he could
bear aud the cry went abroad that in
too many instances for the credit, honor
or good name Of TIE nation. many who
had followed the lag and faced the fiery
furnace OF battle, had ia want fallen By
tile vayside. and ID the poor houses
were looking longjng'y for the relief
ami comfort Of the grave.
t. sNmpathi zin- comrades and Q
patriotic people. with one accord, yoie-
cd the sentimcut that such was not q
human administering Of the sacred