Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-08-10
RUTLAND HERALD.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1866,
A Soldiers, Home.

Editor R.tlgnd Herald We have no.
ticed with qualification the meetings of
the officers of returned regiments in
Massachusetts, and New Hampshire and
other States, TO take into consideration
the project of a SOLDIERS Home" in each
Of those States, and we wish through
your paper to suggest the propriety of a
meeting OF the officers of Vermont regi-
ments, 20 take into consideration the es-
tablishment of a similar institution in
Vermont.
The plan, as suggested, is the erection
Of "Home" for invalid, INDECENT sol
oilers, which should be furnished with
all the comforts and conveniences of an
asylum, and which should concentrate
the sympathies and charities which have
flowed so generously into the hands of
the Sanitary and Christian Commissions
from our State
There are now many brave soldiers in
the private walks Of life, and more to
come TO us, whose disabilities, though
received while in the service of their
country, are yet Of such nature as to
bar them from a place on the list of
pensioners, long and varied though 1t is,
who are the semi-annual recipients of a
nations grateful bounty. From this
arises the necessity of the steps taken In
other States, and we trust that a
gathering OF the officers of returned
regiments may assemble at some central
point, to inaugurate a kindred move
ment in our State, which, when COM
menced, shall gather strength and
volume until it enlists the energies and
cooperation of every officer of the war
within our State limits, and until it
shall secure the active sympathies and
large charities Of the people of our
State.
The community owe debt and duty
to the veteran soldiers of the Union
who have survived the struggle with
the rebellion, have restored us to peace,
nationality and freedom, who have
earned all their country cal give them,
and who are now coming back to us by
hundreds and thousands.
The public has had many calls
upon its consideration and liberality, |
and has answered them all molly and |
promptly, but there has been no call |
more humane and benevolent than this |
would be.
Also, while providing for the disabled. |
living soldier, 1t is our duty to look |
after and provide for those widowed and |
orphaned families, to be found by the |
1ozen in every town, whose only heri-
tage is the name and memory of fallen
defender OF the Union. There is and
must be much Of suffering among the
antilles of soldiers, some of them com
,elled to struggle even with starvation.
Although the institution suggested
ioes not contemplate the alienation of
he class we have last referred to, vet
We could not pass by this opportunity
% call the attention of the people to the
soldiers widows and children, and we
1--WE it to our character as a people that
very thing should be done which the
Utmost liberality can suggest to aid and
ustain them in their struggle with the
world for livelihood and means Of sup
,ort. ...
Will not the officers consider this
natter at an early day, that we may not
'e behind other States in providing for
ur sick and disabled soldiers 2 The
Ulcers of regiments can appeal with
more force, and judge better of the
wants and needs Of the soldiers than
ny other class of our citizens. Hence
t is highly proper for them to set the
'all in motion, and the sympathies,
'atriotism and liberality Of the people
will respond to their call and meet their
demands.
SOLDIERS FRIEND"