The National tribune., 1901-06-20
EVANS SCORED.
Prominent Massachusetts, Clergyman Gem
sures Him Severely.

sures Him Severely.
They had an unusual crowd at the Me-
mortal Day exercises at Oxford Mass,
and an eloquent address was delivered by
Rev. @. L. Ball, a prominent clergyman
of Webster, Mass, in the course of which
he said:
Comrades in one Of the most significant
words in modern English. And that re-
minds me of comrade whose lot should
stir every veteran to righteous wrath.
A member of the 18th Mass. was
in the battle of Balls Bluff, and at that
battle made prisoner and sent to Libby
Prison. After his exchange he was dis
charged for disability. After serving O
year and half of his three years enlist
ment he was honorably discharged.
Never from that day to this able to
care for himself, William Amidon, of the
10th Regt, Mass. Vols, for so years has
been pauper at the town farm of Char
lesion In 1865 he was granted a pension
of 81 month, was suspended in 1868,
and never since has he received cent of
Government money.
HIS appeal for reinstatement has Just
been passed upon by Henry Clay Evans,
Pension Commissioner and rejected. God
of merciesl Rejected because it does not
appear that the chills and fevers for
which his original pension was granted
continue to the present
"Of course not. The man is crazy. He
ought not to have been given a pension
for chills and fever. The man was made
insane at the fearful battle of Balls
Bluff. Men of the 18th. some of you were
there; the rebel storm broke over you; a
hail of shot and shell; you cTaWled on the
ground; q remnant was driven into the
river to drown or be shot; the wounded
were made prisoners. Balls Bluff might
nave made any man crazy, or Libby
Prison, to which as a prisoner he was con-
signed
While in prison this mans comrades
noticed his demented state. But why 90
into details. He was good enough to don
the blue blouse and stand between this
Government and the rifles of its enemies.
He was good enough to perform his reg
ular duties for year and a half and re-
ceive honorable discharge.
81 believe that if our beloved Senator
could learn Of these facts concerning your
ccmrade. Amidon, that he would storm
at Henry Clay Evans's office door. not
at the door either, for Henry Clay Evans
cannot keep George Frisbie Hoar at his
door. l believe our Senator would ham,
mer FL. G. Eyans's desk till he gave JUS
tlce to an old soldier, once the Nations
defender, himself now defenseless. Henry
Clay Evans, of Tennessee! Is he born
out of time? Is he the watchdog of the
Treasury? l know not. know he has
taken pensions away from many veterans,
prevented many others from receiving an
increase or first claim or, as in this case,
a reinstatement
''If l was veteran of the 18th would
not sleep again till I had started a petit
ton to our senior Senator praying that
the National scandal be probed to the core.
AS / am only a son of veteran, I raise
my voice to denounce any and all who
have any part in this defeat of justice.
I'VE might pray for pity. We ought
to demand justice. Will God forgive
people who make paupers of old soldiersT
At the conclusion of Rev. Mr.. Balls
address Rev. C. NJ. Carpenter said:
Thirty years ago an address of this
kind, members of the Grand Army of the
Republic. would have taken the speaker
on their shoulders and carried him through
the streets of the town. Now | propose
that we give three cheers for Rev. Mr..
Ball"
Immediately every soldier and son Of
q soldier in the hall and many others rose
to their feet and the hall rang with three
cheers for Mr.. Ball.