New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-06-07
ORR DISABLED SOLDIERS.

"What shall our disabled soldiers dos" is a
question which comes home with urgent force
To hundreds of thousands of individuals in oIlr
country The MANNED. shattered, dcbilitatcd,
broken down veterans Of the war are around
ms on every hand Some of them are proud of
having but IN arm or leg, and would be
willing 10 give the other under similar circum-
stances Some have lost - leg and an arm.
and Others have lost both legs or both arms
Many have lost their sight. and Others their
hearing; while the number of those whose con-
stitutions have been permanently and irremedi-
ably broken down are lingering their months
and years in pain and suffering
What shall be done for these men il a
question Of deep concern for a great and gen
crous people. Many are single men, with no
one dependent upon them, while the majority
are encountered with families whose depend
ence for support has hitherto been upon the
disabled and saddcnc, hero of the wal Mca-
ger and capricOus bet0wments of hundred
dollars in bounty is Int of m0mentary c0nse-
qucncc to any of then for the anxiety, labor
and expense of obtaining il. in the majority of
eases, make the relief cost all il is worth. and
in the aggregate addsln enormous amount to
the National Debt ant burden They cannot
be c0ngrcgated in vast Soldiers Homes for it
would be impossible {, establish whole com
muntics of families tolye in idleness by the
libeiality of the Government.
There is u simpler, batter, glander way. 1t
is that every loyal, genGOus citizen who feels
a debt of gratitude tothe soldier and sailor
should make every efior to give them constant
employment, and pay thm the best wages pos
Sible. Take away the stnse of dependence aud
pauperism-gye them tie opportunity to do all
they can for thcmselve-Open the doors of
self-reliant and self-sushining usefulness; and
let the sufferer by the disasters of war know
that he is not a helpless outcast because he has |
been true to the Union. There is sentiment |
now widely prevailing among the soldiers and |
sailors that it is disqualification to have it |
known that they were in the service, and they |
feel deeply the want of sympathy on the part !
of the public.
We are prompted to these hints by partial
of the specimens of left-haud
writing called out by the offer of premiums TO
the soldiers and sailors OF the war lately made
by the editor of The ScidierS Friend. This
novel and original idea OF stimulating aud en-
men WHO lOSt thelf TigH arms III tne
cause to fit themselves for literary, profess
sl0nal, and business positions, by their supe
rior qualifications, is Il striking proposition in
he right direction. Mr.. Bourne's theory is
short but fitting: "They have given muscle
to the country-now let the country pay them
for their BRAIN This development of the
mind and character of our soldiers is in har
mons with the spirit of our free Institutions. as
veil as the spirit displayed by our men, and is
worthy the thoughtful appreciation of the
'eople. 1t takes hold of the moral and intel
ectual interests of the Amy and Navy, and
must exert n powerful influence wherever ii is
.nOwn.
This effort 10 advance the claims Of our dis
bled heroes has received the sanction of Gen
rant, Admiral Farragut. Lieut.. Gen Sherman
nd Gems. Howard Qiinself loft armed soldier) {
heridan, Hooker Hancock, and Others who {
70 to award the premiums, and give autograph |