The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-01-22
The Old Soldier Act.

:, There Is more pure rot and nonsense to the
square inch in talking OF old soldiers than
in anything that we cap call to mind just
now. >-s,..r.. ..
ALLEGED anxiety for the welfare OF this class
Of citizens is covered by q very thin gause,
which II brushed aside win reveal the hypoc-
rlsy OF the whole thing.
For rinstance: In the nature Of things, there
must be some very needy survivors Of the
great struggle which took place in this coun-
try some forty years ago. Anent the alleged
reverence for this class Of people, let us look
!. at the humiliating conditions which are I'M
I posed by these same politicians before man
can draw fourteen-dollar pension. Let us
compare the pension papers with the preten.
sions Of the politicians who want Soldiers
Homes, and hold up their hands in holy hor.
ror at the thought Of the poor house. Some
body said the County Poor House is not good
enough for such people, and many politicians
and some unthinking people have repeated
the assertion about ten thousand times. They
propose State Poor House to be called a
..Soldier's Home"
II the county home is not good en- ough,
then make 1t better. Make the County Poor
House rs good as the State Poor House will
be. ~ "
s II that is impraoticable. then board these
old soldiers at some OF the boarding houses
I'm town.
Every soldier that endured the hardships OF
war, and endangered his life for his country,
! deserves well at the hands OF the government.
No matter whether he is now rich or poor
In one sense a premium should not be offered
for lack OF thrift. In another sense, helpless
and INDECENT, or friendless soldiers should be
cared for How can this best be done? The
pension is the simplest and the best plan. II
& Ia more equitable. There is no equity in TAX
Ing one man to the Soldiers Home, or the
Soldiers Poor House, at an expense OF $500 q
year, while another Just as worthy, after
signing tho most humiliatleg conditions,
draws sl4 pension.
S There should be distinction between those
who we're disabled in the war, and those who
!. can now put mp no better plea than q plain
case Ct present poverty.
"a Those who were disabled by the casualties
4 OF war have higher claim upon our sympa.
4 thy and generosity than have those who came
sout OF the war sound of body and limb.
/. The sentiment which would care for
y LnOso WnOW0r6 o1SADleQ In tQe war ID proper
one and represents the best feelings OF pa.
itriotc people. .......
q ?. Those who, from lack OF energy or the
want Of proper care in'their business, have
failed to lay up something for q rainy day OF
old age deserve sympathy. too, just as we
would sympathize with any other persor
4 who fails In business. The law provides for
8 both, and in these cases there should not be
.fayoritism. r.,r.
8. The State, except In sympathy for or
generosity 70 the wounded. or disabled, should
treat all soldiers alike. The test Of service
should be enough to entitle all to o pension.
The proof Of disability from the war should
y be rewarded ten-fold more than those who
returned home sound In body and mind.
- All Widows OF soldiers who died In the
!, war, or those who were disabled, should re
ceive liberal pensions. ~r
Ii g. The widow who married an able-bodied
soldier after the war, 1t seems to us, should
have no claims for a pension because OF that
fact. .tE