The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-24

presented to the world of an immense and
victorious army disappearing without any
grave disorder and merged in a short time
into the ordinary pursuits Of life. With
the unprecedented growth OF activity in
commercial and mechanical pursuits en-
ployment was ready, and many rushed into
the most easily acquired positions not re-
curing especial skill or aptitude, and have
been endeavoring ever since to hold their
own wherever employment of any kind Is
offered. Thousands of old soldiers are to-
day barred out of employment by infirmity
or age. and il Is an acknowledged fact that
men over fifty years of age now find 1t ex-
tremey difficult TO procure work of any
Kind. 1t does not alter the facts to declare
that these men are in themselves responsible
for their condition. The bare fact remains
that they are in want and compelled to ac-
cept aid from some source.
The last attempt to smrch the reputa-
ton and lives of Union soldiers is the most
malicious ever attempted. One can scarce
ly pick up daily paper without seeing in
some conspicuous place an exaggerated ac-
count of a purported pension fraud. magni-
fed until it seems like a cruel joke, per-
petreted at the expense of veterans. Very
little is ever said about the hundreds OF
men who have lived on for years in obscure
ty and want and gone down into the shad-
ow of the grave still waiting TO have their
just claims adjusted.
ONCE THEY WE'RE POPULAR.
And, again, 1 want to say a few words
in defense of a certain class of men who
seem to be the especial objects of hatred
their love and reverence for the men who
enlisted for 81 per month, and from pure.
undefileG patriotism but who at the same
time they claim are all dead. Not content
with attacking the honesty and character
of pensioners and the pension list. the enc
mics of the system also attack the exist
ence and management of the soldiers
homes. Very many in the ordinary walks
of life know comparatively little about
these institutions, their existence or their
purposes Marion branch near Marion
Ind is one of the most prominent among
the seven homes provided by the govern
ment for soldiers, who must have an hon
orable discharge before they can be admit
ted. After they become members they are
expected to conform to a few simple rules
necessary for the preservation of peace and
order, and not at all hard to comply with,
II the person has good intentions and or
binary intelligence. The management is
able and humane. The executive officers of
the homes have given proof of patriotism
upon the field, and some carry with them
through every day and hour of their lives
painful reminders of active service. They
understand the dispositions, the failings, the
conflicts of their old comrades, and, so far
as is consistent with the proper and neces-
sary amount of discipline sympathize with
them and help them to bear their burdens.
Food, clothing, medicine and medical at
tendance are provided in comfortable quar-
home that can be given under the circum-
stances. The circular of the board of man
ayers, themselves able and patriotic men,
informs the applicant for admission and all
others interested that the homes ARE not
charitable institutions" but a right earned
by service, contingent upon good behavior.
Does any one suppose such institutions
would have ever existed were it not for the
fact that thinking, loyal men acknowledged
the paltry sum paid the volunteer during
his service was not commensurate with his
sacrifice n
And now the fact confrOnts us that it is
necessary to build more homes to supply
the demand for admission. Already more
than half a million has been, appropriated
to erect one at Danville, Ill. Now, If the
articles which have called out this writing
are purely and solely in the interests of
homes? This be done by paying the
members Communication of rations in addi-
unable to live outside would gladly and
thankfully take sum equal to their board,
which must be espent here, and leave the
homes thus making room for thousands
mission. and for whom several new homes
are in contemplation. Take away pensions
of us upon the charity of local institutions,
and the burden would fall directly upon the
taxpayers, and the purpose of economy
would be defeated entirely.
1 refer to substitutes and conscripts.
remember well the time when even such
were regarded as very useful persons
y,
to find men who would go in their place
and save them from the wrath to come
The. poor devil who had no money could
neither pay his Communication nor purchase
a substitute and consequently faced the
music, went to the front and usually per-
formed valuable service. So, also, with
those who are said to have sold them
selves for large bounties in the closing
years of the war, and whose numbers so
swelled the armies of the Union as to COM
pei the peace so long devoutly wished for
THESE norhAnS. r V
for those who lived and moved amid the
stirring times of the great rebellion.
THE DAYS OF 81.
After the fall of Sumter and the first call
for troops, how eagerly welcomed every
where was the young volunteer. Patriotism
was at a very high premium, promises
were made, pledges were given that not
one of those dependent ones so soon to be
left behind should ever suffer, but that
mothers children, sisters, wives and loved
ones should be sacred charge. Later on
in the fuctuating days, when victory
was reported or defeat so often chronicled,
how dear to all was the young soldier Ask
any who lived in Philadelphia in the early
days Of July, 1868. and who recalls the
hundreds who knelt in places of worship
and in the public streets and prayed AL
mighty God that the threatened invasion
OF Lees victorious armies might be avert
Gu, NOW lHey eSLlH1dIeQ the humble SOL
diery who constituted the only barrier be-
tween them and subsection and ruin Fol-
low along through all that time which to
so many is now only dim matter of long
ago, and see the grand review of the VIC
torous armies of Grant, Sherman and
Sheridan, and think what hero the SOL
der was then. This is not intended for
those who lived and loyalty loved their
country then, but for the present genera
ton, TO whom the war is matter of his
tory. and who are being educated by the
press to look with disfavor and ridicule
upon body of men who saved the Nation
who were the Instruments in the develop
ment of q new science of war, who con-
stttuted the most splendid body of citizen
Soldlery ever organized, and who chal-
lenged the wonder and admiration Of the
whole world. An army that developed out
of an unsuccessful ordinary business man.
the greatest general and master of the art
of military science of modern times-Grant
who, after retiring to private life, received
in a trip around the world more honors
than ever before paid to any citizen of any
country, and who was made to sit down
with the greatest of the worlds rulers and
kings: Sherman, the irrepressible; Logan,
the idol of the volunteer soldier: Sheridan
the dashing, unconquerable Phil; Thomas
and a host of others whose names will
live for ages were possibilities evolved ont
of the organization of the volunteer army
of 81 to IS.
In conclusion. I want to say that there
are only two ways in which the pension
roll can be reduced: The violation of solemn
promises through laws passed allowing
pensions, and by the death of those sur
vivors OF the war a "consummation now
devoutly wished for" if the spirit of a
portion of the press indicates the spirit of
the days. What cold-blooded vindictiveness
must be alive in the breast of those who
calmly sit down and figure upon the de-
cline of the pension list which can only
occur through the relentless hand of death.
De- nr h.