The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-17

many hundreds of thousands of volunteers
who saved the Nation from ruin From the
nrst- the American pension policy has been
liberal for the reason that volunteers filed
our armies and the liberal pensions granted
In all our wars have been compensations.
In part, for sacrifices to health and wounds
made IN cause common 10 all, and for
the general safety and honor. When we
enlisted in the sixties we were promised
grateful Nations love and aid. after we
returned home as victors from one of
the bloodiest and worthiest wars of the
world We did not enlist for pensions and
few thought of them-in the hot rush TO
defend the imperiled flag; and the great
sacrifice during the tragedy of tragedies
Of our new birth in later years made it
self felt in a great multitude of instances.
both with the veteran and his helpless dear
ones. And so the pension roll Is long simply
because the roll Of volunteers included over
two millions OF soldiers and sailors during
the bloody period in question. AS the ag-
ing survivors fail in health from exposure
and wounds in the war, or from later mis-
fortunes, they deserve all the pension they
have been or can be granted. An hour
on the firing line. in a sharp engagement,
would convince any hostile critic of pen
sions that every needy and worthy soldier.
In his old age, deserves a pension. There
is another view Of this question that may
well be stated by me. and THAT is that un-
less those who gave the best years of their
lives as volunteers in the common defense
their well-poised bayonets. are righteously
treated in their old age, by being granted
promised generous pensions. future Amer
lean armies will likely have to come large
~ from the choice OF the draft, and not
from the willing volunteers, in great ma
tionai crisis. / am sick and tired of the
unpatriotic criticism about the pension
frauds'-'pension sharks and so on. II is
all unworthy of a great free people, saved
to the most glorious heritage of the centur-
les by the service of those who are so
-
records show that the pension roll is an
unrivaled roll of honor. II stands proved to
be the purest roll I'm all the circle of philan-
thropic institutions-either in church or
state-in private or public benefactions.
Under President Cleveland's administration
this was demonstrated, after $4,000 was
spent in a heroic hunt after proof TO the
contrary
Our pension laws are the most gen.
erous and liberal of any country and
the reason for II is because our armies
are made up. in the main. of volunteers.
The people OF this country are almost
unit in favor of pensioning every worthy
and needy veteran. and the chief objections
are based upon so-called 'frauds-brought
about by what are termed pension sharks
few plain words here now will be in
order. With many hundreds of thousands
of pensioners on the roll, 1t would be a
miracle II there were not some fraudulent
cases among them. This is understood.
And II Is equally true that. with so many
pension agents. occasional instances of
frauds arise under their manipulations.
say occasional advisedly. for the reason
that the last report of the attorney gen.
eral of the United States proves that there
are less convictions for frauds in the pen
sion branch than in any other department
OF our government.
GOOD SHOWING.
1.-THE official record of convictions issued
by the attorney general of the United
States recently shows that. while there
were several thousand convictions under
the internal revenue laws, a good many
hundreds under the postoffice laws and
q large number under the customs laws
that the lowest number of convictions in
any department was that In the pension
department. and this notwithstanding there
are q large number of examiners who are
all the while hunting out frauds. This Of
fetal brief conclusively answers the cry
OF which have spoken, of frauds, frauds
and pension sharks against the govern
ment.
cit is our duty to stand side by side,
touching elbows as of old, recognizing
every one who belongs to our order a
comrade In the highest and noblest sense
II have to thank the members of the
Grand Army of the Department of Indiana
and also the members of the Women's Re-
lief Corps and the Ladies of the Grand
Army and other patriotic organizations for
the sweet words of coincidence in the af-
Fiction which fell upon my heart, that
came SO suddenly and with such a blow,
in February last. / think / know what
II Is now to have one taken and the other
left
I'VE have lived to see monuments raised
in honor of our great services to the Ma
ti0n- We have in our day seen the soldiers
of the South meet us in kindly relations
who fought I'm the armies of the North,
and reconciliation broad and deep and
strong has come. On the Cuban anvil were
welded together the South and the North
SO that now sectional lines are obliterated
forever The sons of the soldiers of the
Southern armies and the sons OF the SOL
diers of the Northern armies. led by vet
Grams of the Northern armies and by vet
Grams OF the Southern armies, fight for the
liberty OF the oppressed in islands near and
far. and to-day, under the glad consum-
nation Of righteousness, we have one feel
Ing, one sentiment of duty, one Christian
Washington. the flag of Lincoln and the
nag OF Mckinley-the flag Of our Union
forever"
The commander-in-chief is vigorous
speaker. having a good voice and a force
full manner
General Hobson, Of Kentucky, followed
with few words in praise both of Ken
lucky and Indiana, referring briefly to ex-
listing conditions in Kentucky. The depart
ment commander OF Ohio Postmaster Man.
fort. also spoke briefly. Miss Luella Moore
division president Of the Ladies' Aid So
ciety, Of Terre Haute. presented the en-
campment flowers. as did Miss Addie WAL
lace. OF the indianapolis Aid Society. With
out further business adjournment was TAX
en- until after the parade.
COMMANDERS REPORT
When the encampment met in the after
noon Commander Dunlap read his address.