The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-02-06
THE MEXICAN SERVICE PENSION.

| War veterans deserved their service
pension. They left their homes at the
call Of the country, and went out to
they knew not what, to support it;
dignity and maintain the honor of its
flag. Those that were really called
upon to fight were very small proper
ton of the whole number, but they
fought gloriously, and added bright
page to our military annals. Not in the
history of war is there more brilliant
chapter than that which records the
operations of our little army In
the Land of the Mo1tezumas The
victories of Buena Vista, Monterey,
Vera Cruz, Contreras, Cherubusco,
Molino del Rey, and the capture of the
City of Mexico, shine with imperishable
luster. The result of the war gave us
the country which is now California,
Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, and
New Mexico, and provided us with an
adequate frontage on the Pacific.
The superb conduct of those who
actually came into contact with the
enemy, their striking successes, and the
rich fruits won by the struggle, pre-
disposed the whole people to the prompt
allowance of Service Pension to every
one who had even the least share in the
war, and there was practically no opposi-
ton to a grant of IS a month TO all and
singular.
The law was one of exceeding liberal
ity. 1t gave pension of IS month
to any man in the Regular Army, Navy,
Marines Volunteers or Militia who,
" being duly enlisted, actually served go
DAYS with the Army or Navy of the
United States in Mexico, or on the
coasts or frontiers thereof, or en- route
thereto, in the war with that Nation, or
was actually engaged in battle in said
war and was honorably discharged"
who is or may become 62 years of age,
or who may be suffering from any dis
ability, except a disability incurred in
aiding and abetting the rebellion. The
widows of such as had died were pen
stoned. In 1893 the law was amended
so as to give Sl2 a month TO those who
were wholly disabled and in destitute
circumstances. Four-fifths of those who
received the benefits of the law had been
in active rebellion against the Govern
ment, but this was condoned Probably
not one-third of these had been engaged
in so much as a skirmish on Mexican
soil, but this was disregarded. 1t was
sufficient that they had offered to fight.
If they had not fought, that was the
fault Of the authorities, and there was
glory and honor enough for all, and So
or SO a month to all who survived was
a moderate return for what had been
gained.
Though we never had Il. at any
time more than 10000 men in Mex
leo, there are now on the rolls
5000 survivors and 1862 widows at
sS month; 1923 survivors and two |
widows at s12 a month, and 81 survi-
vors and two widows at higher rates,
making in all 1856 survivors, and |
Z, 1868 widows. or total of 20,454. |
These have already been paid SIS, 403,- |
1856.
When we come to compare the actual
service rendered by these with that
by the average soldier of the
war of the rebellion it seems almost
In the first place the war
lasted but a short time. Hostilities
began with the battle of Palo Alto, MAY
s, 1916, and closed with the capture of
the City Of Mexico, Sept. IA, 1877
about 16 months. The volunteers
were in the field only a portion of this
time. They were called out for one
year, but this service was greatly short
ened for nearly every organization. For
10 regiments were raised for
Gen. SCOTS column, which had landed
at Vera Cruz and taken that strong
hold in March, 1647. The Mexicans
retired to the mountain pass of Cerro
.ordo and there Con Scott attaclad