The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-28
Voice Of the People
A square Deal for the ola Soldiers.

n square Denl for the Old Soldiers.
TO the Editor OF The Times dispatch.
SiT.-Who Is the Confederate sol
dier? What has he done? And what
does he stand FOR? All history. both
ancient and modern, falls to record
deeds Of nobIer work on any battle
field than that done b. the Confederate
soldier Bravery. with determination
and :ortitude. Will always place him
in line with tho hest soldlery OF tho
world. Defeat was unknown 10 the
Confederate soldier. Hardshlps and
deprivations, he cared nothing for His
country, win the cause for which he
was contcnd!ng. was the all-ab sorbing
thought OF mind, and the incentive to
bodi!y action on any and every battle
heiu. EesardIess OF danger and conse-
quehceS. Many OF these mon left their
homes (wives and chIldrenJ. homes
poorly provided Tor, IN many cases. and
enlisted in the southern army--an
army that showed and proved itself
wonder TO the world. The Confcd-
erate soldiers pay was OF small con-
Germ. and his rations about the same:
sun he held 10 mis- duty 10 the finish,
and while at last OverpoWercd being
largely outnumbored). he looked his
enemy squnrely in The face he stands
to-day. and is considered the world
over, soldier OF wonder and admlra-
ZION. some Oh tHe SfdputSt ana nODleSt
men Of this earth We're heads and com
mHnderS Of this army. / feel proud
to know that was Confederate
soldier--a Confederate soldier from
start to finish. Tho strange thing Is
why the Legislatures OF our Southern
States should look upon and treat the
Confederate soldier with such indtt-
ference and unconcern. There Is but
one reason that | could give, and that
is. the majority OF the men who com
pose the Legislatures are men who
were not In the army. and know little.
If anything, about the life and duties
OF soldier. Tho life OF n soldier Is
not his own. He lays II down on the
altar of his country How many thou
sands have ! seen lying dead on the
battlcnelds in the many battles tonsht
by the Army Of Northern Virginia! ]
believe II our legislators knew more
about the soldier. there would be bet
ter provision made for him. AS mat
Ter of fact, there is many poor old
soldier at This time in the poorhouse
throughout this Southland We hoast
of the great progress we have made IN
our Southern States; OF mo many en-
terprises. TO carry on which II takes
large sums Of money yearly; large APP
proDriations made for various pur-
poses: but what has been done FOR the
old soldier--the man VINO left fanny
and home to defend cause that Is
considered the world over 10 be right!
\ poor pittance OF pension. that MS
tory would be ashamed 10 RECORD.
There are not many OF these men ie-l
now. and We can and must DO better
for ;hem from now on. If 1T we're not
for the women OF the South (and COO
bless themn I don't believe there
would be q monument south of Mason
and Dixon's line to commemorate, the
southern soldier and the southern
cause. Think of that grand old spar
inn mother, VINO said: MY country
right or wrong. my country mas al.
ways filled the mind and heart OF
every true man and woman This Is
the spirit that filled the mind and soul
Of General Robert e. Lee. man VINO
was offered, at the outbreak of the
war of 1861 to 1865. the highest posi-
tion ns officer In the Federal Army: q
man who left a splendid and maSnih-
cent nome and estate for his country,
AZ, country: my country: right or
wong. my country. This was in the
who saorihcsd all high position and
estate Tor the love OF his country
strange that the younger men OF our
country should BIO so indiTerent q 70
orr Southern cause and country. THO
southern colder deserves their hiEh-
nst respect and admiration II our
eeisla lures were run by women there
wo1ild he no COMPLAINT about pensions
We can do better for these old SOL
d,ers. and let's do II. ,
Dedford City