The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-11-24
TmE SOLDIERS IN THE FIELD ANO
TnEIR FAMILIES AT MOVIE.

THHIR FAMILIES AT HONE
In the midst OF the greatest war that any
civilized nation has ever wagcd It is CRAFTY
ing TO record the manifestations Of national
virtues, whose cons ant display has no parallel
in history. The generosity OF the people #
the North has known no lack or stint in its
quality or quantity. 1t challenges the admi-
ration Of other nations, and must win eventual
acknowledgment from our fees. A New
York contemporary says:--
"The country has Just sent 4 Subsauti Il
Thanksgiving dinner to It's soldiers and sailors,
aud doubtless feels the better for It, II will be
fully sppreciatcd in the army and navy. Those
who f9bt our battles by land and sea are not the
fellows to despisc good cheer Their long dict
OF hard tack and salt pork has not, We may be
sure made them indifferent to roast turkey and
fresh vegetables. IL was small thing tor our
people 70 raise few thousand dollars for this
object a million would have been q
cheap price TO pay for the fresh courage and
hearty cheer with which this pleasant and timely
gift will inspire the hearts Of our brave soldiers.
we have seen enough Of camp aud field life to
know that nothing makes soldier more cheerful
than the feeling that the people at home Sympa.
thilc with him in his struggles, prvaiious, and
suilerings and appiociato his services at their trne
value. Aud rs the Thanksgiving festival Is sho
day of all days for thinking OF home and the old
household gatherings, the bountiful dinner that
will be distributed through the camps and the
fleets will save manya brave heart from sadness
aud depression.
"But our duty TO the soldier is bat half per.
formed if VIC neglect to provide Thauksgiviug
also for his family. In every city and village of
the North the families Of soldiers should be
sought out, and not one should be permitted TO
pass q cherries day. when al the nation 10 re-
jOicing, for want Of good dinner But this IS
not all. We must not bc content with spas
mOGic effort 70 relieve their wants Winter Is close
NO The times hard prgpg q Al kinds
of provisions, clothing, and fuel are unusually
higu. Rents have also advanced, and good
houses are not TO be hired at a moderate price.
Unless timely and efficient aid is extended, there
will assurCdly bo great deal of suffering this
winter among soldiers families. Their relief
must not be left to private charity-it is a
duty which the country owes the men who
defend It's life. But the work must be sys-
tematized in order to be effective. A com
mittcc should be organized in every city and
town, whose business il should be to look up
the families of soldiers and to provide relief
wherever 1t is required. Contributions of money,
clothing, provisions, and fuel should be placed
at the disposal of these committees, and, surely,
the country which has given fifty thousand
dollars at days notice, we may say, to provide
a Thanksgiving dinner for the soldiers and
sailors, will not he backward to relieve the wants
Of their families.
"The Governor of Ohio has lust made an
! excellent suggestion, which we should like
| to sec adopted in every State. 1t is that, as
! VIC SNAIL u6NOlo luulouuy w iuuhhoElNihB Aol
national mercies, the whole country should
unite TO make the following Saturday day
Of jubilee to the soldiers families. Commit
tees Of citizens can be readily organized il
every city and village, who will attend to tn,
! distribution of the peoples offerings. w,
need not enter into details, as the action o
each committee must be adapted to the necessitie
which come under its notice; but almost every
| family can contribute its share of clothing, pro
visions, or fuel, which will be distributed by thC
| committees. There is no danger that too mucl
| will be sent in; for the necessity is great an(
urgent and ii will be difficult, even with thu
greatest care, to supply the actual wants Of thest
| objects ofthe nations solicitude.
| "There should be no delay in setting about thi
work The most should he made of the littl
time left to make the Saturday following Thanks
giving day of gadness for the wives and chill
dren of our brave defenders. Such days worl
will do more to strengthen the arms and reani
mate the courage of husbands, fathers, ant
| brothers in the field than reinforcement o
twenty thousand men. 1t will show them tha
they and theirs are not forgotten, and that
grateful country is watchful Of their welfare