CIVIL WAR MAJOR CRITICAL OF WORLD WAR VETERAN BONUS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 25, 1922, a letter from Luke E. Parsons* of Salina, Kansas, a major in the Union army during the Civil War, was received by a member of Congress. The letter stated "what the veterans of the Civil War think of the demand of the soldiers of the world war for a bonus."
Mr. Parsons wrote...
"To yield under the threats of the veterans of the world war...would be rank cowardice.
These healthy and saucy young men should be told: 'It is more honorable to work than to loaf.'
All I can say is: Forbid it, Almighty God.**"
*Luke E. Parsons was 88 years old in 1922. LEP was the only survivor at that time of the battle of Osawatomie, KS, 1856 in which pro-slavery men attacked anti-slavery settlers. Parsons served in the United States Army, 1861-1865.
**Parsons may have applied the words of Patrick Henry who said in Richmond, VA, March 23 1775..."Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains & slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God, I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."
