Year: 1866

IN great measure repaid BY The gloly of
the success which has been obtained, and
which in a great degree attaches to their
names; but there is certainly something
more substantial than mere thanks and graf
itude due to the sterling rank and file, who
were always present in the deadly strife,
and whose ef-saeriticing patriotism has
tTiuInnhantlg sustained the glory.and honor
of the Republic.


4 feel that the country cannot do too much
for the patriotic services OF those who du-
ring the late rebellion have stood by the
Union in its perils if by any act Of mine, I
could rec0nnpense those toil-worn soldiers for
their great sacriiices aud their long tried
loyalty, 4 would consider it tie highest
privilege, and the greatest act Of my life.


As to the erpedie1cg or practablAtR, /
perceive that some members OF Congress,
although protesting a desire 10 do justice TO
the soldiers, are fearful Of injuring the ma
tional credit and of increasing taxation by
adding to the national debt some $250, 000,-
600 or 100000 600, to meet the claim for
equalization of bounties. Iadnait that this
Is a large sum, and [ Ike to see members Of
Congress exhibit due regard for public
economy; and it ~ certainly highly COM
mendable to he cautious IN imposing inn
proper burdens, or increasing the national
atdebteClaess, which will never be properly
aggregated nntil the just claims Of its de-
tenders are awarded to them Bu@what is
the sum of $3.50, 000, ,0G0 TO a nation like
ours, when every principle of justice de
mands it to be paid ia those who have res
cued il from anarchy and death What
would this glorious Republic have been
worth If its rebel destroyers had not been
met aud vanquished By the soldiers who
fought, and bled, and three hundred thou
sand of whom fell in its defence 1t is but
a trifie, when we consider the vast resources
of our country, and look forward to the inn
mense wealth which in a few years t is
destined to possess


If the Government has not the money to
pay this demand for hounties to our soldiers,
why could not Congress authorize the See
retary of the Treasury to issue Ave per cent.
gold bonds for all sums Of $50 andinpBards,
payable in thirty years, making them the
( Soldier s Bounty Boaols but receivable
at all times in payment for Government
lands at par This would enable the soldier
at any time to exchange his bonds for public
lands ON any Of the great railroad lines lead
ing 20 the Pacific, or any other place where
he might choose to locate. Those who did
not choose to locate in the Western States,
could sell their bonds at pr to those who
choose to do so.


Besides, if the soldiers should choose to
take up lands for their bonds, the country
would be certain that the great West was
being filled up with population that loved
it and had stood by it in the hour OF its
greatest need The sollier-emigrant would
feel, that his homestead was the reward of
patriotisni, and his posterity after him would
yenerate it as such.


think that in this way the country would
scarcely feel tlle payment of this debt to its
defenders. The Public lands would not only
thus proYela sinking-fund, but the debt will
greatly aid in their rapid settlement and de-
velopment- that in few years the bonds
would be entirely absorbed and the country
the better for ii. IL would aid but little to
her taxation and would scarcely diminish
her resources. But should Congress not see
fit to make those bonds receivable at all
times in payment for public lands, the In
crease OF the national indebtedness, say
S250,000, 600 payable in thirty years, can
not be looked upon as any very serious ca
lamity.


The annual increase Of burden would be but
SIS, 100000, counting it at five per cent. /;
whereas, long before these bonds will become
due the national wealth viii be more than
double what it now is, and thus the burden
will yearly diminish


thank you heartily for the efforts you
have made towards obtaining st.se ioE the
soldier and sailor and ] hope that Congress
win cordially cooperate with youin perfect
ingsthis important measure.


With high regard, ] am. very respectfully
your obedient servant.


J0atN H. GEARY.