The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-03-15
The truth Is, they wsFs
prsALLoWMGRHE CLAIMS,


reducing amounts . athsss allowed, and con-
centrating their gresssasrt upon general raid
upon pensions already. allowed under the adju-
dication of former uistrations-combining
thus every conceivahlesferm of assaulting and
destroying the operssion of our wise and hui
name system of pension laws. Again, consider
this subject in the light of these figures:
The last Observation-Disclosures appro-
pristed for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1894,
the sum of $l66, $50. $50, and estimated for the
next year, ending June 30. 1895, $3.50, 600.
This Democratic ili'appropriates for this last
year but $751; 5S1, $50. or SIS, AIS 400 less than
would have been undoubtedly expended by the
Republican Administrations in round num-
bers $50, 10000 belonging directly to the SOL
diers of the Union army.
That is con6scation of pensions. If this pro-
cess goes on the pension system is destroyed.
The increasing age, disability, and want of this
vast body of men and women and children will
require more and more pecuniary aid.
Who shall render it? Shall they suffer and
starve for the want of the millions which are
theirs by every motive of decency and graft
tude and by the express provisions of lawP
Shall the Nation which they saved bear the
burden of love, or shall it be placed upon the
local communities, mainly of the North2
With the destruction of our industries waged
in the Wilson bill, with an income tax to be
paid almost wholly by the North and with the
soldiers despoled of their pensions, cast de-
pendent upon the loyal States it would indeed
seem that the South is once more in the saddle,
and the North groveling humbly at the stirrup
of her power.
Mr.. Blair went on to speak of the compare
tive sizes of the Union army and the rebel
army: Assuming that the colored population
which was the producing population, was of as
much consequence as though it had been white
and it seems to me that you must admit that
they were more so, because without them at
home how would it have been possible to have
carried on your farming or to have kept your
army in the field for three months?
Now, it is very low estimate to say that
there was one fighting man for five of the en-
tire population They give US a little more
than one voter, you know, to every five of the
population, and assume that as the basis OF
military strength both sides.
1t is just as fair for side as for the other,
and probably it is substantially correct, al
though you get good fighting men who are only
10. 10, and IL years of age. as you know. Upon
that basis the Northern military force would be
1000, 900 at the outbreak of the war, and the
Southern white force /, 900. 600; but with the
negroes supporting the armies of the South,
they should be included and that would make
the Southern fighting force {, 100000 as against
the fighting force of the North at 1000 900. The
young men who were H. 13, ID, or 10 years at
the outbreak of the war, coming in during the
war, could not have been less than 100000
yearly at the South, and think you will adj
NIT that is within the limit
That will give to the South, including the
negroes, 100000 fighting white men during
the war who must have been in the service or
who might have been III the service, and with
the negroes at home to take care of the whole,
making in all a really fighting population of
2, 100000 men.
Now, the enlistments in the Northern army
were 100000 Ofthose not less than one-half
a million were re-enlisted, SO that the Northern
army in the field was not over 100000 or
z, 300 600 men.
Against that the South had, including its
negroes, fighting force of 2, 100000, and yet
you say to us that you fought US for four years,
and that you with only 100000 men almost SUBJ
stantislly for those -four years defeated the
whole 100000 or really 1900, 900 of the North
ern army.
But after all there are no facts behind such
statements. have taken the pains to 90 back
to the census OF 1860 10 ascertain the facts
about this matter that they may go into the
Record. Gentlemen may make the calculation
for themselves. 1 have not gone to the muster
roll at all, but l have gone to the census in
order to reach a comparison of these two peo-
pies who met in that conflict
Mr.. MahOn PA. r. recapitulated the
votes upon the several general pension bills
that have been before Congress since 1873.
showing that about 600 Democratic votes had
been cast against them aud about 400 for them,
while over 900 Republican votes had been cast
in their favor and none against them. The
record of President Cleveland on the matter of
votes of pension bills placed against that of
the other Presidents since the war was also
given by Mr.. Mahon, showing that he had
vetoes over 500 bills. while of the other Presi-
dents Grant only had vetoed bills, and but five
all told. These figures he said. were signif-
cant. and expressed the hostility of the Demo
cratic party against the pensioning Of old sol
ders.