Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-08-09

The united action of all soldier organ
izations in this matter would soon ac
complish it. l desire 10 saw TO YOU
my comrades. that in the present
commissioner OF pensions and his frs
deputy. Hon. j. l.. Davenport. ever,
soldier having just claim has friend,
at court. | say it knowing whereof
| speak"
Gen. Street referred to the erection
of monument over the grave il
Arlington cemetery. Virginia. of Gen
Clay Smith. late national chaplain
which was ordered at the 10th ANNA
encampment at Lima. Ohio, bu
which so far has been neglected. Gen
Street said it was matter that mus
be attended to.
The remarks of Gen. Louis +. Ellis
past commander-in-chief. ut the
18th annual encampment, in relation
to the veterans and pensions. were re
produced, Gen. Street holding tina,
the conditions are the same now a.
then. Gen. Ellis said:
In fact. 10 sum it all up. il looks a.
if To abuse the soldier in his declining
years is to be considered an up-to
date patriot; but when the denouncer.
OF these pensioners aud patriots anc
these comrades of mine shall have
persisted from the face of the earth.
when their names shall be swallowed
up in oblivion. the deeds of thes,
brave men. living and dead. will in
liberty's cause, he gratefully remem.
bered. their marches and their battles
will he woven into song and story
and told by their children and theil
children S children. even unto the last
generation.
Gen. Street said the war being
waged against Spain was forced upon
us in the interest of humanity and
civilization. II it accomplishes moth
ing else, it has united the north and
south, and we ROW have united
country. Referring to politics and
religion. Gen. Street said it was
against the teach ings of the order Il
bring these into question.
Let Youngsters Wait.
We stand shoulder to shoulder
helping one another. as in the dark
days of the war" continued Gen.
Street" But in my judgment, the
time has come when we should take
sufficient interest to see that no man
represents district in congress or in
state who will not do Justice 10 the
veterans of the late war. You hold
the balance Of power-one million oi
eX-Soidiers yet survive, and all hav,
connections and friends who will
stand by YOU if asked To- do so. Let
your power be felt TO the extent that
no candidate for Office has YOUR sup.
port unless he will comply with III,
law which says that the soldier shall
he preferred for public places abov,
all others. There is too niue n @
this talk of the politicians that tn,
soldier is too old; that he has las sod
his usefulness. 1t is not so. There
are thousands of positions that our
comrades can fill with profit &c
the government and pleasure tc
themselves and families, thai
are now occupied by youngsters.
Let the youngsters wait. 1t will b,
onl V Il few wears when we shall hav,
passed off the stageof life. But thos,
! who fought from 1861 to % and mad,
| this government what it is. have earne,
the right to hold these positions
Many a wounded soldier with a fami
ly to support ekes out meagre exist
ence upon a paltry pension. when h,
could be employed in some light dut,
in the various departments of tn,
government, that he could fill rs wei
as youngstcr, the pet of some poll
ticians. 1t is your fault that YOU ar,
relocated to the rear. hope the con
vention will take some action lookin,
TO the betterment of these condi.
tons
In conclusion he thanked the press
for valuable services rendered. and
his associate officers for loyal sup
port. He also expressed apprecia.
ton to Hon. Walter l.. Weaver, OF
Ohio. and Hon. w. V. Allen. of Nebras.
ka, for kindnesSes to him.