The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-03-15
THE BRAVE BOYS IN BLUE.
We all remember


THE BRAVE BOYS IN BLUE.
We all remember!
1t seems but yesterday, that all over
the land hcreway newspapers were
praising the Brave Boys in Blue, while
minstrels, deacons, divines.
rich and poor, were loud in their pro-
fessions of love TO the defenders of their
homes.
When iron-shod and cannon-belching
war held the country as ina vice, the
Brave Boys in Blue were all the rage.
They were feasted, toasted, praised,
kissed, carcssed, cofleed, jellied, and
decked like lambs for the sacrifice. Mid
the sobs of women, wives, mothers, sis
ters, and sweethearts, they were sent to
the front, escorted to the cars and boats
by bands of music, and promised all
sorts of hQnors on their return.
Every Brave Boy in Blue was Il shield
to the loyal stay-at-homc agitators. Ev-
cry one sent by money, entreaties, APP
peals to patriotism, or other lingual de-
vice, was a safeguard to those who re-
manned behind. Whining canters, pull
pit-routers, stay-at-home bawlers ofloy-
atty, mobbers Of Democrats and Demo-
cratic printing offices, negro-loving old
maids, and others of both sexes, had
much to say for the Brave Boys in Blue,
and come the shoddy-cum-shoddy over
the victims they had dressed for mutt
lated honors to wonderful extent.
He who would not join the blue mass
was called traitor, coward, and huter
Of his country. He who would forsake
friends, property, and the comforts of
the family hearth to join the abolition
crusade for power, cotton, negroes, mules
silver-ware, and other disguised objects
of the late war, was hailed as brave
man.
lie was to be loved and honored.
His family to be cared for.
His children were to be educated.
His wife was to be waited upon to the
replenishing Of larders, and fuel pile.
His grave if he fell, was to be decked
with flowers at all seasons of the year.
His stumps were to be supplied with
wooden limbs.
His hospital bed was to be supplied
with delicacies.
lie was to be welcomed home by girls
with garlands and wreaths of roses.
He was to be nominated for Office, and
voted for.
He was to be the returned hero-sa-
vior of his country, and the chiefumong
! ten thousand abolitionists. And we re-
member that those who questioned the
honesty of those who made all these pro-
! feSsiOns of goodness, and who asked re-
spectfully that the war be hurried to Il
close, We're denounced as towards, trail
tors, and enemies to the soldiers. When
we chided those who prolonged the war
and turned it from its original course
when we objected to having thousands
of brave men slain by incompetent Off
GERS, in raids for property, and who said
the object of the war was to divide ra-
thcr than restore the Union, the Brave
Boys in Blue were filled with lies and
evil spirits, and urged to destroy at once
those who We're their best friends.
The past came and went.
The professed patriots swept the land
of volunteers. The Brave Boys in Blue
have returned ; but they come not as
the conqueror comes. They We're not
welcomed bacll-no arms of girls, gar
lands of roses, fancy balls, and aValan'
ches of kisses greeted them. One by one
two by two, we'll and sick, whole and
shattered, lame and dying, they came
to their homes as stragglcrs in blood &C
to the rear after the agony of battle.
The loyal shoutors have forgotten tho
brave Boys in Blue. They have no of
fees for them. They have no votes Il
give them. Officers rich from thei
stealings, able to buy and control dele
cations, receive nominations. They ar,
the fnvOrites of the ranters and the can
ters and the rumpites while the tru
brave Boys in Blue who fought the bat
ties, are forgotten already. They ar
not wanted now. The negro and tn
bondholder are now worshipped, ant
the soldiers Of the land can WORK on on
/ leg or two, with one hand or both to re
, deem their farms from taxes heape
, thereon by the stay-at-homes Will
they were fighting, and TO support til
negro, the bondholdcr and the thievin
officer, who enriches himself and relG
tives at the expense of the blood an
bravery of the country.
Brave Boys in Blue, as you gathC
your half-clad little ones about you-f
!, you labor topay tuNes-as you so steat
! lily to your graves with heavy hear
, and calloused palms-think Of the,
: things, and tell Us if those who mad
you such specious promises have kel
= faith with you or the people!
Brave Boyin Dlua--soldier-workins
: man-taX- -payer--tlinli of these thing
and think of them Yoll,- CHcmdW 4,
= qHirer.
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