Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-19

the people know that there isnot one great,
important law on the statute books of the
nation, granting pensions to Union soldiers,
that has not been passed BY Republican
votes, and in nearly every instance with
the opposition Of the Democratic
members Of the House. No Republican
here has voted against bills to pension
Union soldiers. Every attack made upon
them, every denunciation of them and OF
pensions for them has come from Demo-
Gratis.
As it 10 ia the House. so it 10 throughout
the country. While not all Democrats are
opposed to the granting of liberal pensions
to the veterans of the Union armies. all
who do oppose them are Democrats. You
hear nothing of it here, you hear none of it
anywhere from Republicans.
As during the war, among all the hun
dreds of thousands who attempted to de-
strcy the country and erect . slaveholders
oil garchy upon its ruins, and among oil
those who in the North sympathized with
the rebellion, give it encouragement, de-
clared the war failure, and threw the
weight of tbs il icfiuencs agsinst the Union
armies, not one Republican was ever found
So row, of all the distractions thrown in
the way Of granting Just pensions to de-
serving Union soldiers, of all the misrepre'
sensations of their character and ISLANDERS
| upon their good names, none come, none
have ever come, none ever will come, from
the Republican party or Republicans. When
the future historian shall record the tran
sactious of this generation of Americans
he will make nothing clearer in the pages
| of his book than the loyalty apd fidelity OF
the Republican party to the Union cause
and its brave defenders. [Applause on the
| Republican side.
From the dawn of its existence that pat
,iotic party has carried but Que flag and
serve but ore country. 1t has never wan
d. red away to worship strange political
idols. rs devotions have been paid st one
shrine, which is the American Cnion.
Whether in the contest Nth human slavery
the ,broes of civil war, the reconstruction
| of tie government after the defeat of a
| Democratic rebellion, the adm 'nistration Of
} the nations finances, the shaping of an
economic policy for the industries and lab,
or of the pee pie, or the Just recognition OF
the heroic men who achieved the most bene'
ficient victory that has ever been won in
war, the guiding purpose of the Republican
rartv has been the welfare, the progress
| 8uu tliC UCuOI VI tblS StSdt hdtAoA "hASh A.
has done so much to make one, and to make
it glorious. Great applause Oh the Re
publican side.
The gentleman from Illinois Mr.. Black
informed us that ''prosti,uted public sen,
timent" favored the Allowance OF liberal
pensions. A prostituted public sentiment
Indeed, has Democracy got so far as to call
it that? A prostituted sentiment, is it, that
sy mpathizes with the old Union veterans,
that respects them, has all affection fol
them, ard is so proud of the country which
they saved, that the cheek would mantle
with shame to see it neglect them in theil
old age. their infrmities, and, IN too many
instances, their poverty.
What sentiment was it that inspired these
men to 60 to the front to face death ant
endure all the hardships and sufferings o!
war? What sentiment warmed the gentle
mans breast when he so CALAMITY met hi
country's fees? Was it any other than that
\ patriotic sentiment which inspires all true
| hearted Americans to cherish and honor thu
| Union soldier now? And does he call that 9
prostituted sentiment? am sure he can no
have meant it. Applause.
There are those. not he, who hate tn
Union soldier because be was Union sol
der. There are those who hate pension
because they create public expenditures
and therefore stand in the way of fire.
trade. There are those who oppose appro
priations Of money for the old soldier GU
of the treasury of The nation which he save
because it is popular to do SO in certain
localities. But when they and all thei
petty purposes are forgotten, his name will
be honored, his memory will be revered
and the flag which he bravely carries
through good report and evil report. in vic
tory and defeat, until the grand moment o
the final triumph of the cause which h
loved, shall float as the proud emblem o
the greatest, the freest, and the most hon
ored nation in all the earth. [Applause o
| tho Ronuh1ican sidpH