Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-03
AGAINST PENSIONS.
Ringing Declaration of stanton
Ex-COnfederafes

At the last meeting OF Stonewall Jack
son Camp, Confederate Veterans, OF
Staunton, the following, offered by Cap
tain Thomas ID. Ransom, was, with the
exception Of the sixth declaration, unanl-
mously adopted:
Inasmuch as the question is being
mooted whether survivors Of the army Of
the Confederate States of America, some
times designated as eX-COnfederates, shall
be admitted 10 the soldiers homes pro-
vided by the government, or 10 the pen
sion list Of the United States and repre-
sentatives from Southern States" HIM
thought proper 10 bring the subject before
Congress, prompted either by their liberal
Interpretation of the recent kindly utter
ance of the President, or by a desire 20
test the sentiment Of the country on the
matters proposed, this organization.
known as the Stonewall Jackson Camp of
Confederate NeteSans, No. p, Of Staunton,
Va. Tor Camp No. 1853, Virginia Division
United Confederate Veterans, with no in
clination to make parade Of our opinions,
but with the conviction that we owe il 10
ourselves, and TO those for whom we
speak, that our position in regard to these
matters shall not be misunderstood, do
declare:
/. That we distinctly disavow any SYM
pathy with the propositions referred 70,
and deprecate them as unlikely to lead
TO any desirable result.
2. That the survivors of that army, so
far as our knowledge OF them goes, while
contributing in taxes for many years past
10 the support Of the soldiers home es-
Establishments Of the Federal Government,
have never entertained the least eXpecta-
ton of sharing in their benefits; would
scOrn 70 ask 1t. and would, as a rule,
decline to avail themselves Of ii, IL Of
fered. t'isslSi
3. That we look upon the business OF
pensions, while well enough In principle,
as having been carried already beyond
all reasonable bounds In its gratulues,
and as to the recipients. AS at present
being administered, we regard IL as a
system of governmental robbery, in which
we desire no part, i'm any way. shape, or
form. The State OF Virginia, from her
meagre resources, provides pittance Tor
those disabled in her defence, and ex-
meets TO do more for them in the future,
without calling upon the General Govern
ment.
4 This city and county, through The
Augusta Memorial Association for the
Dead" has done all that need
now be done in the matter OF caring Tor
our deceased comrades In arms, ana 'hdt
sacred duty will be transmitted TO our
children and our children's children. our
dead. numbered by the thousands. from
battle-helds and hospitals. in
TERED in our beautiful cemetery. are not
likely to be forgotten by the generation
which collected their remains ana does
homage yearly 70 their memory. We nave
preserved upon our records. as far as
thsfr individual history and
having borne further witness OF our re-
gard for them by a commemorative monu-
ment. unexcelled anywhere for dignity and
beauty. we fail TO see the need for Fede-
raj oaretakers. The same conditions ex-
ist generally. as we believe. throughout
the South.
5. We consider that the recent discov-
cry OF our loyalty as soldiers or as citi-
gems OF the United States IL not especially
creditable 20 the discoveries, and that the
eush Of enthusiasm with which it has