The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-08-21
THE MEN WHO GRIND ORGANS.

THE MEN WHO GRIND oheAhs.
Do our readers ever think, as they pass
the brow beaten miseraJles who grind or.
gans on our streets for daily pittiance Of
ontemptuously doled charity, that these
same men once stood proudly erect in all
the strong vigor of manhood where the dead,
" glimmer Of steel reflected the rays OF the
burning southern sun--where aiken banners
haughtily floa.ed on the eIpectant breezes,
or dropped around their slaves in that mys'
terious lull of nature which sometimes pre-
cedes the colossal struggles of man-that
these same spiritless wretches once moved
forward in heroic silence and magnificent
| martial array, TO confront with naked
breasts such storms of death as would have
frighted the souls Of Michael's arch.angels
that in the wild and terrible shock Of bat
tie, when human weakness rises to unearth'
ly grandeur, and flesh and blood perform
deeds which gods might emulate, these
same men were heroes Of the most exalted
stamp, and by their own reckless courage
and dreadful sacrifices, won those brilliant
victories which startled the world, and which
were heralded from ocean TO ocean by the
huzzss Of multitudes, the clsngor of bells,
and the crash and roar of rejoicing cannon.
These are the very same men. To look at
their subdued and woeful visages - their
poverty pinched and attenuated forms, who
could believe that once upon their valor
panic.stricken country relied. Who could
believe that that solitary hand which YEARLY
and shamefully turns beggar's crank, once
wheeled artillery into line, and sent destruc
ton into the ranks OF the enemy. Who
could believe that those pale lips, which now
falte' ingly crave for aims once mingle their
notes with those defiant cheers which struck
the hearts Of the foe with terror, and "seunG.
ed like the crash OF falling mountains
above all the helish din of carnage
Surely, TO compass the reality, the imagina
ton Of Milton is required, When Napo.
leon fell, bis proud veterans who had trampl.
ed thrones beneath their feet, wandered like
outcasts among the scenes Of their former
glory. But no tyrant Of Europe, in the
pentitude of power, ever despises the mutt
lated tools who have won or preserved his
crown. They are not forgotten, nor are
they permitted TO drag their aching limbs,
from city to hamlet, the living or rather
dying monuments Of his ingratitude. What
a comparison these reflections afford. Yes,
the republican party-the great party OF
moral reform and progress--has truly been
the friend ofthe soldier. 1t called him out
to be MANNED or slain in defence Of it's prin.
ciples, he won the victories which reared up
: its power, and when by reason Of wounds OF
amputation he is no longer able to care fol
himself he is turned into The streets to starve
or beg as he may prefer. One who may
have experienced what he has so wildly de
picted, thus pictures the meaning of an
empty Sleere:
1t tells in silent tone to ALL
Of a conntrys need and countrys call,
3 Of n kiss and tear to child and wife,
And hurried march for nations life;
TIL this very hour | could never believe
.. What tcll-taIe thing is an empty sleeve.
!. II tells of battlefield Of gore;
l OF the sabres clash, of the cannOn's roar,
| OF tho whzzing shot and the screaming she'll
OF scene that mimics the scenes of hell;
TIN this very hour could you Ger believe
8 What horrible thing is IN empty sleeve?
1t tells of rush at leaders call,
To q scene where death held carnival:
!. Of q furious charge, Of the bugles note,
Of sgurglng sound in a foemans throat
TIL this very hour could you ever believe
3 What terrible thing is an empty sleeve
T.. 1t tells of q thousand nsmeless graves,
+, | Where slumber a thousand loyal braves;
/; or a widows woe. of an orphans prayer
Of mothers fear for vacant chair;
/. Till this very hour could you ever believe
= What mournful thing is an empty sleeve?