The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-08-05
Peoples COl2Ul1111.
Union Soldiers Take Back
Seat,


Union soldiers take a back seat. 1t
makes no difference whether you have lost
a leg, an arm or both, or the sight CT your
eyes, or have been otherwise badly wounded
or suffered exposure which has caused
the loss of health. 81. down. The union
has been saved, not star has been drop
ped from the old flag. Sometimes it IS
true, it seemed for little while to trail in
the dust, but through the valor of those who
fought under it. it proudly waves over
united country. Laws passed by Con-
gress and signed by the President, say
soldiers who are qualified for positions in
the government employ, shall be entitled
to fill these places. But it makes no differ
ence, get living the best way you can;
forget the long marches, the hungry
stomachs, and the starvation of Southern
prisons, and take hack seats. Those who
fought against the government, and those
who sent substitutes now control it. 1t is
true those loyal to the government tried to
make some slight provision for your
wounds and loss of health while in the
service so that you need not be compelled
to live in the county almshouse, because
you cannot make a living, by giving you
pen sion and in many cases naming the rate
by law. But that is immat to our
| friend the enemy Of good government, for
with one stroke of the pen off goes your
name, and you will be very lucky if you
| get it back again; at any rate they may be
considerate enough TO give you. To be sure
the little notice says suspended for sixty
days" But a provso says if you can
| satisfy the Department that you are
entitled to it, they will put your name
back They do not order you before
| Board of Surgeons to be eX tmined or give
Won any inform alton how to proceed, but
| leave you entirely in the dark about the
IN alter. Is the present D Democratic admin
istration TO continue TO ignore the laws
made for the old soldiers aud set up laws
of their own in the place of laws on the
statute books? Will Hoke Smith, Secre-
tary of the Interior, continue with the
advice and direction of the President in
removing the disabled soldiers from the
pension rolls thereby causing Gore suffer.
'-S
country in the times that tried mems souls
as well as their bodies? / think the soldiers
should take some action by writing to their
county papers and the Department, until
thew shall be compelled to see the great
iniustice of their course Soldiers who
have been removed from Office without
cause. should call their comrades together
and make earnest protest against these
Southern secretaries until they shall bs
compelled to make halt. Scan the papers
and see If you can find but very few who
are having their claims acted upon and
receiving pensions. For Maryland N VII
not average more than two week. Iht
Government is in need of money and the
easiest way, seems to them to be to make
war on the worthy pensioners and stop the
Epavment of pensions. The poor soldiers
thew think that are left from the grea
armies of the late war have no influence
| their ranks are being thinned aud all vii
soon answer the last roll call of the Crane
ARMY of the Republic. and it makes bu
little difference what they may have dom
TO perpetuate this great nation to those II
mower nov as the loyal people are laugh
t to forget the past and love their Southern
: brethern. The latter they do. But how i
, il in the South? Is not the same bitterness
r here that there was during the rebellion
| say from personal observation there is
and Hoke Smitn who was but boy whel
: the war closed, is giving evidence of 1t
= every day by his CONTROLLING the action o
the Pension Bureau. Again say Unlol
: soldiers go to the rear until the next Con
: rressional election, unless you prefer t.
| Come TO the front before, and then sem
men TO Congress who will right the wroni
Q that is being Ferpetrated now.
AN EX SOLDIER OF THE LATE WAL
Fifth district. August 2ud, 1898.