Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-02-08
THE OLD SOLDIERS.


To the Editor Of the Register.
Addison, W Va, February 81 have
been talking to myself of late, and have
asked myself this question: What is
the difference between the old soldier,
of the late war, l mean, the Union SOL
der, and the negro? l mean the pOliti-
cal estimation as placed on them by the
politicians of West Virginia and the
similarity of the treatment of the two.
Now, the negro, of course, is a free
man and he has this much in his
favor. They have their schools. the
right to vote, to worship God according
20 the dictates of their conscience, etc,
all Of which is but just and right, and
one would naturally think that they
would at least be happy and in a meas
Ure content. But when you view the
lot Of the old soldier, taking into con-
sideratiOn the magnitude of what the
old soldiers have done to bring about
the present state Of affairs, that all
West Nirginians love to boast Of; tho
free and beautiful West Virginia hills
and sing Of their majestic SUBMITS and
beautiful wales. 90 without saying, but
what has it cost and TO whom are we
indebted in a measure for all of this
other than the old soldiers? Think of
the hard marching, the sleepless nights
and the eternal vigilance Of the many
hard-fought battles. Of the number
who now lie sleeping in graves, many
unknown and many forgotten in the
press of business affairs Oh, the
heart aches, the sorrows, of those
mothers who gave up sons, and wives
who gave up husbands for their coun-
trys sake; who made it possible to
divide the State of Virginia that the
great State of West Virginia might
have an existence, and how we'll he
has been remembered for his love and
devotion for his country and State.
Let us look into this just a little How
many have held pOsitiones of honor
and trust where there was a salary at
tached? I mean soldiers Of the ranks:
and indeed, how many of the rank and
file. / know of one. William G. Ham,
rick. of the Tenth West Virginia Regi-
ment, who was a gauger or collector
for a short time. but that did not suit
the powers that be, and ne was super
coded by a minister Of the Gospel. who.
for the filthy lucre that the position
gave him, stepped down and out of the
pulpit to accept a position taken from
an old and good soldier So it has been
so all through. and time does not seem
to make any changes in the lot of the
old soldier. And from the present ap-
pearance of things political, nothing
viii be done except they rise in their
might as of yore and force their way
up to headquarters and demand hear
ing and demand their rights as be-
come them. And during the present
campaign is the time to act, if ever.
But. says some anxious Office seeking
politician. we give them pensions and
they should be satisfied with that
What more do they want? l answer
that we do set pensions, some of US,
and some do not; some perhaps, I'M
justly out not many. Having admit
ted this much, let us see at what a
cost. First, the proof Of disability and
I'm many cases extremely difficult,
though ever so just; and then their
multitUdinOus technicalities they must
surmOunt i'm order TO get one; and the
long. weary. expectant longing and
waiting. If he is so fortunate as TO
get it at all. then come the worst OF
all, the humiliation he has to undergo
for getting it. He is called a hummer,
l0afer. horse thief and pension pauper;
an this and more. and all because Of his
patriotism and love of country. But
what matters it, seeing we do not need
him any longer? Why, of course. he
does not expect Office and does not de-
sire any of the real benefits from all
his hard labor. Why. of course no..
What should become of us if he should
insist on his rights? He could not
think of starving our politicians or
causing orr wives and children. who
are not used to suffering. or labor like
the wife. the widow. or sons and daugh-
ters of the Old soldiers.
Now, for my part, I do not wish Of
fee but l long to see the day when
the old comrades are freed from this
political slavery. And now. comrades,
are you going to allow yourselves. your
wives and friends to be LONGER hui
inflated in this manner. for on you it
all depends. You have it in your DOW
err 10 right these wrongs and demand
Your rights at the hands of the lead
ers. and if they refuse to recognize
your demand for justice. YOU have it in
Your power to give them a Waterloo.
bus under all circumstances show your
old patriotism and party spirit and real
manliness in demanding all of this in
side Of your own party before resorting
to any other measures and especially
to anything extreme. for I don't believe
in going over to the enemy in order to
demand our rights, but to fight 1t out
inside our own party lines if possible.
And while I am writing this article I
am trying TO think of one old soldier
in our State that has held Federal
position. but cannot think Of one in
our own party, and but one in the
Democratic party. q Mr.. Holland. of
Cabell county, a United States deputy
marshal While. on the other hand. I
can call 10 mind. numbers who were
suffers and camp followers who sold
the soldiers whisky and other goods
at eXOrbitant rates and never smeIled
powder, except by accident. during the
whole war.
Why. know Of two or three men in /
our family, With their sons thrown in. I
that have held Federal positions during
every Republican administration since
the war and ut the same time there
are lots of old soldiers all around them