The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-06-12
orn PHILADELPHIA LETTER.
car own Special Correspondent.

&, oar Own Special Correspondent.
DEAR acknowledgements Day,
when we all so desired fair skies, the
rain fell, and the day was rendered
as dissgreeable as bad westher could
make it. l went out with some
friends to witness the dedication and
decoration of the monument, at Mon
ument Cemetery. of Lieut.. Wagner,
who fell in battle under General Me-
Clellan. Post No. 3 laid thereon a
pure white lamb Of INN. -rtel,es, his
mother placed a pure white crown
and a large wreath of lovely flowers
upon the grave, and friends showered
cut flowers and bouquets upon the
tomb. There is something wonder
fully tender and sweet in this setting
aside one day from out the busy
year /; consecrsting al least one day
to the loved and lost, and those who
gave their most precious gift-their
hearts blood TO their country. And
how fitting it is hat flowers, those
divine offsprings of the plants should
be chosen to symbolic the sweetness
Of memory, the purity of the world
to come; and thus with the fragrant
breath of the flowers bear upward a
country's grateful benson.
Some politicians are trying to ridi-
cule the practice, and bring it into
discredit by saying it were better to
bestow upon the living the money
the flowers cost, etc.; but for me, /
hope that our country may perish
when she ceases to honor her noble
dead, and that individuals who hold
such sentiments may sink into the
profound oblivion thew wish for our
martyrs. One single example: take
young Lieut.. Wagner bright, hap
py youth. foil Of promise, surrounded
by friends, idol Of his mother, pride
Of bis class, be went forth with high
resolve only to be cut down like a
flower, and should his country moi
honor him He is but oae of thous-
ands. and il is sweet and fitting that
their memories live bright as the
flowers that symbolic them.
How 1t did stir up ones soul to.
hear the drums beat and the ffes
play, as they preceded the torn and
smoke blackened battle flags, and the
eyes filed with tears, and the heart
VITA bitter, ~unavailing sorrow, until
one saw the wagon loads Of flowers,
and then all al once a sort Of soo,h-
ing balm fell like 8 dew, and one felt
that at least We could thus prove our
remembrance, and offer tribute TO the
bravery Of the men who rallied
around those ragged and Grape bound
flags. May we as q nation always
hold aud celebrate Decoration Day.
Philadelphia is noted for her chart
ties the world over. It needs but
for a want 70 be felt, TO be remedied
as nearly as possible immediately.
Among the most deserving of them
is q Sanitarium fof sick babes, on
Windmill Island. in the Delaware
River, between Camden ard Phila-
delphia.
1t was started about two years
ago by a young doctor who realized
the position Of mothers with sick in
fsnts. whose physician has ordered
change Of air." and fresh air."
Such an order like a stern
mockery of fate. Where can the
poor mother go? She has not the
means TO leave the city ever for a
short trip, and perhaps there are 9th
er children Ia the family that she can
not leave. Here this Sanitarium
steps in. Transport 20 the Island by
the boat is free, 3 good AMI nourish-
ing diet is furnished free TO babes and
mothers, they can remain as long as
they like. have shade, green grass to
play on, a clean. well-crdered house
to sleep in. and above all, pure, cool
air, 10 the heat of summer, all with.
out money and without price. If the
parents wish, the children can re-
main under a nurses motherly care,
or they can go home at nights. AL
ready this mas been of i~ncalculable
benefit to ailing children, and it is TO
be hoped that it will succeed !; but
like all newly established charities, it
lacks funds to fully carry cut the
plan. But vet, they will undoubtedly
come in time. Let Us hope so.
Last night | went to a ladies' liter.
ary club here, and, as | think that it
is worthy of being known to every
body as an effort on the part Of liter
ary women to advance their own and
their fellow-women's condition, Il
shall saw a few words about it.
In 1876, Mrs Elizabeth Baden
editor of the womeu's department in
the Sunday Times, and Mrs. f. Z.
Benedict, editor of the women's de-
partment in the CITY ITEM, organized
the literary club for ladies, known so
well and favorably as the 'T6 club,
and in a very short time it became q
real power in the land.
Mrs. Bladen was unanimously
elected president, Mrs. Benedict as
secretary, and Miss Anne f. M'Dow-
ell as treasurer. All three of these
ladies are well known here, their
names at once gave standing to the
club, and it fourished and was the
means of doing much coed.
1t was intended for the meeting 10
social intercourse Of all lady writers,
the discussion Of all current topics,
the dissemination of useful news, aud
for mutual aid and benefit.
After a while Miss M'DJwell re.
tired and / believe the secretary is
also treasurer this year. The club
holds meetings weekly at the Office of
the Sunday Times, and monthly at
the house Of a lady member. 1t
numbers among its active and honor
airy members some Of the brightest
literary and artistic lights Among
the new members must be mentioned
Mrs. Richie, a lady Of the highest
culture and ability, who has lately
come before the people with the sud
denness and brilliancy of q comet
She has commanded the highest
praise from the press as q lecturer
on a profound and noble subject, aud
now she has another lecture in prep
a%ration on she subject of Mothers