The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-11-06
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 1901.
.sEriendly and Deferential."

'.Friendly and Deferential."
Recently the public orators who have ad-
dressed our people have kindly omitted the
former eulogies Of our dead, which had be-
come almost threadbare. For this omission
the people are very grateful.
In friendly and deferential" regard for our
neighbors as we'll as for other orators who
may address this people. we would suggest
that speakers study their speeches and nave
something TO say which has not been said
about ten thousand times. For Instance:
The question OF local selfgovernment was
settled at Appomattox. The usual speech on
this subject has been, therefore. delivered
often enough.
The valor and heroism Of the Southern
soldier has been referred to 30 often that We
all know that little speech almost by heart.
The war was ended thirty-six years ago,
and, as a rule, the old men who took part In
that sublime struggle. have laid down their
arms to engage in the peaceful pursuits
Many OF them are very poor. Some OF them
are on the pension list. and all arc waiting for
the summons W which cannot long be deferred.
II they could hear less OF praise for past
services and more about what q grateful
country would do to convince them that pub
lie utteranoes were something more than idle
wind and meaningless sound. then hypooriti-
cal praises would be turned into sweet acts
and sincerity OF purpose.
Old soldiers have had a surfeit OF praise
They have heard much OF Southern valor,
but the subject Of hash and State pensions
seems 10 have been neglected.
aa.yv vn<Nt fnf nru
their course is nearly run, and their record is
safe What these tottering old men need Is
pensions or substantial evidence that the
public speakers really place an estimate
upon the services which were rendered At
time when the veterans were in their prime
and in the full strength Of their manhood.
The Confederate veterans have heard flap
doodle and tommyrot until they are tired.
Stereotyped praises Of old soldiers, when
pensions are withheld, is on par with
this expression: Live old horse; you'll
get grass"
Nearly all the survivors Of the Confederate
war in this county were present in the Court
House last Thursday.
Ono OF the orators warned us against In
novations and advanced ideas. while
the other gave q review Of book on Grant.
Although the question Of establishing
soldiers home for helpless veterans Is iow
live issue, yet neither orator said word on
the subject. Although the most degrading
conditions are made precedent to the re.
ceiving OF fourteen.dollar pension. yet this
fact was passed over without mention.
Even the proposed Confederate monument
was not referred to. While it Is not usual for
an organization Of living men to build q
monument to their own glory, yet the dedioa'
ton and the inscription on that monument
might have received little notice. II the
Confederate soldiers are to build monument.
IL might be we'll TO have an understanding ss
TO whom IT. shall be dedicated. Whether TO the
Colonies and the horses. or to the Veterans
whose bravery is praised by all.
At a soldiers reunion a discussion OF tho
proper division OF the pension money would
have been eminently proper, and would have
afforded theme for at least remark or two
by able orators. 1t would have been just TO
all II some effort had been made to perfect the
pension laws. and to rid the we'll meaning
charity OF the State from existing abuses.
II the ghost of McLsurinism would
down long enough for some Of our orators to
give earnest attention TO the aiding OF
worthy distressed comrades In their declining
years, they would do q service for which q
grateful soldiery would be thankful. II the
eloquent orators at Abbeville had urged that
the gallant soldiers should also mako patri-
otto citizens, and II they had prepared plan
whereby the State would not pay premium
to inactivity and poverty, they would have
done we'll. Why should not our speakers
and our lawmakers devise plans whereby
those who are able to earn living should be
denied the privilege Of sharing the money
which has been appropriated for those who
are, from no fault OF their own, 10 distress?
Those who in war 80 proudly maintained
the high military character OF the South
should in peace seek to maintain the same
proud spirit that animated them in war.
For this reason 1t occurs to US that the PEN
sions should be distributed on the principle
ofinsbility TO earn living. and not upon
basis of poverty or indisposition TO work.
Those who fought bravely In war, should
not be less courageous In the peaceful struggle lie
for bread. The first requirement pre-
cedent to drawing q pension should be a
certificate from q committee ofreputable phy.
sioians stating that the applicant Is physical.
ly unable to earn a com mfortable living.
The State itself should not tempt her gal
liant old soldiers 10 inactivity In the pursuit OF
bread. The State should not offer an induce
ment TO any man to cease the effort TO self
support, NO matter how gallant he may have
been In war. When q man can easily earn
from fifty cents TO two dollars q day al work
why should he lie idle In the shade and seek
to share the money which has been appro-
priated for his less fortunate comrades9
The Slate should provide literally for the
manned, the siok, and those who. for any rea-
son, are unable to make living, but she
ought not to set premium on idieness or call
any Citizen from his legitimate employment
TO become pauper that he may receive tn Q
States bounty.
Cut of the names OF all able bodied PEN
sioners and give the money to those who are.
because OF physical disability, in distressed
circumstances.
These reunions should be for other and
higher purposes than being fattered for gal.
lantry forty years ago. We have heard that
old story until 1t is threadbare and tiresome.
The estimate Of q mans character as SOL
dier may be gauged by his conduct a. oiii'
zen. 1t is not probable that the soldier who
did his full duty In war would shirk RESPONSE
biIity in times OF peace. A good soldier
seldom falls to make good citizen.
And good citizen generally makes good
soldier. A good man may be counted on to
be q good man any where. even In peace.