New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1895-01-16
A Pension For M'Clernand.


Nothing that has occurred in the house
of representatives for many years has
been as discreditable to its members as
the debate which occurred on Friday on
the question o. granting pension to
Gen John A. McClernand. Opposition
TO the measure came principally from
Southern democrats, but it is gratifying
to state that they were mcst ably COM
bated by Northern men owing allegi-
ance to the same party.
There has never been more meritori-
GUS pension bill before congress than
the cne in question. Gen. McClernaud
was brave soldier during the Mexican
war. He entered the ranks just us he
was making for himself a reputation at
the bar under conditions that would have
given him opportunities which few men
possessed for achieving a foremost posi-
ton in public life. He served with dis
tinction in all the campaigns OF that
struggle, returning to begin life anew
where he had left off, but finding that
during his absence others had gathered
the harvest that was of his sowing. He
set manfully to work, however, and ere
many years had won his way to the fore
most rank of members of the bar. Serv-
ing several terms in congress he signed
a seat in that body when the integrity of
the Union was threatened, and in COM
pany with John A. Logan raised brig
ade of volunteers in Southern Illinois
for service in the Union army. lie led
those troops, as brave body of men as
ever shouldered musket, in many a
desperate battle. But he incurred the
enmity of those in authority over him
because he remained democrat in def
ance of the edict that had gone forth
from Secretary Stanton that all demo-
Gratis must be sent to the rear. He suf-
fered because of his fidelity, as many
other brave soldiers suffered, and his ad-
vancement was hindered on every side.
He was finally forced into retirement in
order to make easier sailing for the cot
erie of officers who had formed mutu-
al admiration society for their own ad-
vancement. He was in good company,
however, for among his companions in
banishment was 'Old Pap Thomas, than
whom mo soldier was ever more beloved,
Halleck, as sturdy patriot as ever drew
a sword, Buell., stategist of wonderful
ability, Rosecrans, grim and firm as ada
mant, whose love of country seemed to
be his greatest fault, and others less dis
tinguished but equally patriotic.
If any man in the United States in his
old age and poverty deserves pension
from the government he so long and SO
faithfully served, that man is Gen. John
A. McClernand. No man claims that he
was great military genius, or that he
lowered above his compatriots. His
achievements were not brilliant. He
was mot, perhaps, fitted by nature for a
position of great responsibility su-
preme command. Few men are thus
gifted But wherever McClernand was
placed he did his duty to the best of his
ability. Perhaps he made mistake. in
ceasing to be a politician when he be-
came soldier, His convictions were
always democratic, and like good dem
ocrat he placed his duty to his country
above his duty to his party. Yet he was
true to his political convictions, and re-
fused to obey those at Washington who
sought to convert the army into q vast