The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-06-21
Our Returned Veterans.

The very gorgeous manner in which Chicago
has received Generals Grant, Sherman and Hook
er, and the very shabby manner in which the
same city has received our returned veterans,
provoke the inquiry to whether sucbbery or
patriotism is the base of the action of this mu-
nicipality Generals Grant, Sherman and
Hooker visit Chicago, and they are greeted with
laundering salvos of artillery, and civil and mill
tary professions Men throng about them to
shake their hands, to cheer them till hoarse,
and to testify in every way their admiration of
these popular leaders. Women rush around
them to offer them bouquets, to kiss their hands,
to touch with their delicate fingers the hens of
the coat tails of these renowned heroes. All this
is right it is no more than is due to these men.
They have earned all that we can do for them,
and more. They are entitled to the clasp of
strong hands, the huzzas of vast crowds, to the
kisses, smiles and flowers of beautiful women,
and to all the delicate attentions which be
offered bv wealth and refinement inspird by graf
itude.
Our brouzed veterans return, and, beyond the
local columns of the city press, their arrival is
scarcely noticed The swarthy heroes ofa hum
dred battle-felds reach Chicago, and, after an
unnOticed march through the streets, they are
permitted the privilege of supperless repose on
the sidewalks. There no laundering salutes
to welcome their coming no triumphal arches to
honor their progress through the streets; no hur-
raining crowds to eyince welcome. All this is
much wrong as the reception OF Grant, Sher-
man and Hooker is right 1t is so much wrong
that we are led to inquire whether it is snobbery
or patriotic gratitude that has dictated the mag
nifcent and continuous ovation given to the mill
tary trio who have lately honored Chicago with
their presence.
The gentle and philanthopic women who are
spending unrequited months in getting up SAM
tary fairs for the benefit of soldiers seem to have
erroneous notions with relation to the objects of
their tender solicitude They seem to think that
the soldier for whom the Sanitary fair labors is
some distant, haZy sort of creation, who Is
charging up impossible heights, with the Ameri
flag in one hand, and in the other fierce
sword flashing in swift and wide death-dealing
circles. They apparently have not the remotest
idea that these swarthy men in blue, with unkempt
hair, and general air of hardness and endur-
ence, are solders-the very soldiers for whose
benift Sanitary fairs are in operation. 1t is some
remote blazing hero for whom these imaginative
ladies work, and not this palpable, sun-browned
individual in SLOUGH hat, with tattered trousers,
and general appearance suggesting lack of
combs, soap and clean linen.
There is room for reform, in a good many
respects, not only in the estimate which the San
itary fair form of soldiers, but also in the Fro
ceedings OF the board of trade, the course of the
common council, and the doings of a good many
corporations, and, generally, those of everybody.
The city, for its credit and in justice to the he
roes of the war, needs change in its sentiments,
and change in the class of men who manage re-
ceptions.--C Chicago Times.