The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-07-03
Washington Letter.

The dismissal of union veterans of
the Civil war from the Washington
City postoffice has brought storm of
criticism on the administration. Sena-
tors and Representatives in Congress
have taken up the veterans fight and a
thorough investigation is promised.
The Honorable Julius Kahn. Represen-
tative from California in recent
speech, paid the following beautiful
tribute to the living veterans of the
Civil war
1T is we'll to remember the dead, but
let us not forget our duty to the living.
And especially to those living soldiers
and sailors who, in the years of their
youth, were ready to sacrifice their
lives, if need be, upon the altar of
united country. Their number is
diminishing rapidly. Most of them
have lived far beyond mans allotted
period of three score years and ten.
Comparatively few of them have been
able to draw substantial prizes in the
lottery of life. This is especially true
of the rank and file. Many of them
were mere boys when they enlisted.
But they had the hearts of men within
their breasts. They were ready to per-
form and often did perform the valor
Gus deeds of bearded men. Their age
was not deemed an obstacle to the
faithful and honest performance of
duty to their country. Their services
were welcomed gladly by great and
grateful government. Some of these,
after they had grown to mans estate,
after they had laid aside the implements
of war, after they had been honorably
discharged from the military service,
decided to serve their country still in
its civil service. Just as they had per.
formed their duty faithfully and honest
ly on the tented field, so they performed
their duty faithfully and honestly in
the executive departments of this
government.
True, they have grown weary and
old in that service. Is that fault
Has old age grown to be crime? Some
men clothed with little brief author
ity would make it 80. But their actions
will be resented as it should be by the
citizens of this Government. The pro-
verbal lngratitude of Republics must
not apply to these men. The compen
sation they received while in the very
heydey of their lives, while in the
fullest vlgor of their faculties, was not
princely fortune. Many of them had
families to rear. Many of them have
not been able to save much from their
meagre compensation for the almost
inevitable rainy day. Some of them
have become superannuated. To nv
mind it is disgrace to our country |
that they have been thus thrust out, at
an advanced age, on the very threshold
of the grave, to fight the battle of life
in competition with their fellow men.
At best, their years will be few. Even
if thew were totally incapacitated,
which they are not, it would be fit |
ting recognition of their past services
to continue them in the public service
until they peacefully close their eyes in
death,
"The few dollars that will be saved |
as the result of the discharge of these
aged men will be squandered probably |
in some less deserving cause. But how
caE you assuage the sorrow, the grief,
the pain, that must come to these old
veterans when they are told that this
great American Commonwealth which
they helped to save must throw them
adrift in their declining days in order
to make room for younger men,"
U-ILe- -