Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-06-30
The Future of the Soldier.

Most OF the leading journals of the
country have published articles bearing
upon the noble "boys in blue" who have
been at the front facing the dangers incl
dent to war, and who now are returning
to US again, laden with the high credit olhav-
ing sustained their own and their couutry's
honor. Without wishing to DO a single
act, or say a single word for mere "bun-
comb" for we abhor blarncy, and the per-
sons that .'slop'' over in expressions OF
good will, when some Interior end is aimed
at, we may, at this time, when most OF The
local papers have indicated like views.
say a word on the general subject of the
treatment of the returned soldier, and our
duty towards him.
Many of those returning ere fully capa-
BILE of taking care of themselves place
them where you will. Another class have
been MANNED in the service, have last an
arm or n leg, or have been wounded at some
point which disqualifies them for hard
service. Another class have had their
health shattered and are thereby rendered
unfit for active labor. Such as belong to
the latter classes have claims upon the
public which we hope to see recognized.
SO far as Congress can act with reference
to this matter it has acted, for before its
adjournment it passed a resolution recon-
mendins the soldier to the attention of
those having Offices to bestow, the duties
of which, these veterans could perform.
The various Heads Of the Departments at
Washington have been acting upon this
recommendation for many months. Hun
dreds of wounded soldiers have been given
places. in lieu of active, healthy, able
bodied men who should pursue some other
calling. Associations have been formed
in most Of the great cities OF the Union.
whose object it is to provide employment
for the thousands of manned soldiers re-
turning from the war. The object aimed
ut by these volunteer organizations, is but
little less worthy of commentator, than
such noble societies. as the Sanitary and
Christian Commissions. The latter aimed
to save the lives, and preserve to the
country and to their friends our soldiers IN
the army and in the Hospitals. The for
mer aim to assist those who have done
the country service during the war, now
that they are discharged, to obtain an
honorable aud an honest living. These
efforts of the noble hearted men, who
have banded together for this good work
serve also to keep in remembrance, the
toll, the suffering, the bravery, the self
sacrifices. the perseverance OF those who
l.ave purchased for us our freedom anew
In the midst of our daily cngrossing cares.
while the minor matters of our common
avecations, and the recurring wants Of our
bodies, as a general thing absorb all ouI
time and thoughts, it is well for us, and
cur common humanity. that there are
some disinterested spirits in the world whe
love to work for the needy and the Right
Self -abnegation is vouchsafcd to but few O
u.s. If we are not selfish, we are indolcnt
il. we are not mean, we are forgetiul /
we are not hard hearted. We fail to
comprehend what is duty to others. Eut
aside from these general remarks, or thi'
common Indictment of the race,le US see,
our failure, if fail we shall in our duty il
this direction, does not arise, or viii no
.sise from thoughtlessness. As before re
marked, naaay of those returning expect
and nee ! only to be recognized, for thei
"work's sake" While for others we cal
do a substantial good, by giving TO then
such places as are within the bcstowal o
individuals or Of the people.
In. an able article in u leading New
York paper, the Post the moulding an'
educational effect of the camp is discussed
We suljoin two or three paragraphs, wor
thy of attention:
Oor American soldier, serving through
a sudden, sharp and singular experience
Yul,.r circumstances as novel as they were
,nomento,, s., began in the camp discipline
which las made him in every way q bette
member of society. Before the war, ht
was in some sort cultured man-io
there is no class of our native loyal popu
laton which has not enjoyed the benefit
of free schools, open churches, the ballot
the Bible and the newspaper. He entered
upon his military campaign positive
thinking man. His letters, his daily
journals written by the campfire, hi
meditations, which find frequent Wteranc'
to-day in rural presses, all show that he
marched with an active idea i'll his brain
and his deeds prove that he had a trust,
weapon in his hand The discipline o
his camp taught him more than the mere
manual exercise of arms for he carried ;
thinking bayonet.
Our soldier, therefore, comes back to III
wiser and better man. His comprchcn
sion of ideas is larger. He is Il stronge
xcasener, for he has learned the hard logic
Of facts He is more liberal because h,
has seen mere of men. and has studied
the course of events during period mark
I'd by an absolute concentration OF de
velopment He is more truly patriot
for the reason that what was before al
idea Of our national life now becomes Il
INN practical living, embodied reality
That which he has helped to save he ha
in q measure created-an ndissolable
strong and perfect Union, a Nation firml,
anchored on a great principle which
-"secms to feel
Tie thrill o. lie along her keel
-, I;ar LII. IA, ha