The Washington herald., 1908-06-12
RELIEFFOR VETERANS
DR.. Lewis Pleads for Pension
ing of South's Soldiers.
WILL COMPARE WITH NORTH
Resolution Looking to Statistical
Comparison of Care of Old Fight
ers I'm the Two Sections Is Adopted.
President OF Medical Association of
Confederates Demands Action.
spcclal 10 rhn wnshinrton Hernld.

Special to The Washington Herald.
Birmingham, Ala, June 11.-Dr. Samuel
E. Lewis, of Washington, who yesterday
lauded Mrs. L. X. Newsom Trader. OF
the same city, the Florence Nightingale
Of the South" before the Association Of
Medical Officers of the Army and Navy
of the Confederacy, in session here. to-
day secured the adoption by the associa-
tion OF a set OF resolutions looking to a
comparative statistical record Of the care
taken by the Federal government of the
the care which the several States Of the
late Confederacy are giving the soldiers
Of those States who served the lost cause.
DR.. Lewis resolution provides for the
appointment of a commission OF three
members Of the association, who shall as
certain 20 what extent the Federal gov
ernment "at this time. provides in the
matter Of pensions for the individual Fed
eral soldiers of the war of iS6l-lS65." and
also TO what extent the several States
Which were members of the Southern
Confederacy provide in the same manner
for the welfare of their respective soldiers
who served in the same war. The COM
mittee is directed to report its findings to
the next annual convention Of the assO-
citation.
Makes Annual Address.
DR.. Lewis also made mis- annual ad-
dress as president Of the association, re-
viewing It's purposes and performances.
and paying a high compliment 10 the
hospitality and progress Of Birmingham.
The address was exhaustive, going into
all the activities Of the medical depart
ment OF the Confederate service, and
also into the hopes and accomplishments
OF the association. DR.. Lewis, IN the
course OF his speech. said:
'In my judgment, neither the South
ern States as such. nor the Northern peo-
pie. In recent years. seem 20 retain
proper appreciation Of the sacrifices, pri-
vatons, surerings, and services OF the
Confederate soldier. and his present con-
diuon and needs. in that he has. az an in
diVidual, had no official recognition OF his
services 70 his State; and no adequate
pension laws In general at all commen-
suTate with his services or comparable
with that which has been accorded the
Federal soldier.
Many Need Assistance.
Some Of those brave men have been
fortunate enough TO advance themselves
TO positions Of honor. usefulness. and
competency in wealth. but there are very
many who have not been able to do so
II should be remembered that the living
veteran soldier Of to-day sacrificed for
the Southern people those years on the
threshold of life dear 70 him for the op-
pOrtunity for educational preparation. TO
fit him for future usefulness in profess
sional, commercial. OF other walks in life,
with possible attainment Of a competency
to render easy and peaceful his declining
years.
He has now reached an age when he
might reasonably expect 10 retire from
the active affairs OF life. but the unfortu-
nate multitude must labor. struggle, and
suffer sim longer, These old comrades
still have a moral claim for their welfare
upon the Confederate surgeon, which did
not cease to exist with the surrender Of
the armies upon the fan OF the Confeder-
ate government
Field for the Association.
This association could do no better
work, no kinder act, than 10 raise IT'S
voice in no uncertain tones regarding the
care which should be given the neglected.
needy Confederate veteran soldier still
living and that II should be well done IN
a broadminded. generous manner as
would become the representatives OF a
great and grateful people. There is moth
ing on earth too good for him-there
never was-but certainly not now in rap
idly declining years, with increasing IN
frmities. There Is not a member OF this
! association who does not know the truth
here stated. and echo the sentiments ex-
pressed for the betterment Of his condi-
tion. II is TO be hoped that authoritative
action viii be taken by this honorable and
patriotic body 20 bring the matter before
the people In general and the legislatures
in particular, with the earnest trust that
speedy and commensurate relief may be
given"