The Washington herald., 1922-06-18
Protest on Bonus.

To the Editor. The Washington Herald:
II seems almost too late for the
voice of a private citizen to be raised
in protest against the passage Of the
soldiers bonus bill. but one feels i'm
PEELED to Join the Choir invisible" at
any cost. and add ones note to the
ever increasing chorus Of blame and
denunciation of this unfortunate
measure. vicious in its essence, and
far-reaching in its consequences.
One cannot think that patriotism.
true patriotism. is dead in the breasts
of the gallant men who went out to
fight for great moral issues. and one
stands aghast at the spectacle of the
American Legion. that was winning
its way in the respect and confidence
of the public. holding a political pistol
at the head of Congress, and sponsor
ing a bill that will forever rob the
men whose cause they are champion
ing OF the glory of noble purpose un-
selfishly achieved. and snatch the
laurel wreath from their brows in
exchange for a tip.
The brave hearts that volunteered
for the great war certainly have not
the souls OF lackeys and footmen.
They gave themselves willingly. they
knew the cost. they paid the price.
and henceforth there is laid up for
them a crown of glory" Do not let
us pull them down from their high
throne to scramble in the dust for
a few dollars reward when they may
still keep their heads in the stars
o soldiers of America don't barter
your birthright for a mess of potta ge!
Let US love you still. and think OF
you with gratitude and admiration.
And for the practical side what will
few hundred dollars profit them,
in many cases OF be foolishly spent,
when the cost of living will rise in
proportion to the increased taxation?
Think 1t over-s2 SOC, ,0o0. 900 added
to the national burden! In fact that
Is very conservative estimate.
Did the Secretary of the Treasury
know the meaning of figures when he
solemnly warned Congress against
the measure? Was he romancing? :?
Let our legislators beware how they
ignore the righteous indigna ton OF
the taxpayers who may turn and
rend them. The government has spent
millions on the disabled soldiers and
not a cent too much. No effort could
be too great for them. But the able
bodied men can surely take up the
burden Of life without adding to its
diff! !culties. They were better paid
during the war, better fed, better
cared for. than any army in the
world. No soldiers have been so fol-
lowed and petted and chaperoned and
surrounded by every influence that
could possibly aid them. bodily. men,
tally. or spiritually. And right that
1t was so. for there was never such
a war and pray God there may never
be another like 1t. But the fame Of
patriotism must not burn less bright
ly for all that.
The Confederate soldier fought on
without pay, without food. often.
without clothes and shoes. without
medicines. or anesthetics. His arms
and legs were cut off, and the most
horrible operations performed, with
out a single. merciful Whit OF either
ether or chloroform, and only a few
devoted women to minister to his suf-
ferings or close his eyes in death.
And those that survived came back
to devastated homes and firesides,
unpensioned and uncared for, and
took up the battle of life without
a whimper
Shall the men Of today be less
noble than they?
EpANCEC WAITED