Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-05-08
ThnnR his Awakened

| EDITOR JOURNAL On Saturday, Nav 18th
by politene,s of Frank n. Smith, enjoyed ride
and witt to the Soldiers Home at Togus. | had
read much of our National Soldiers Homes but
| if they are all like the one at Togus, surely the
half cannot be told The desert thel e has literally
4 heen made TO bud and blossom like the rose.
| There were MANY things that brought up deep
| feelings of sadness and caused Inc to live over
| the pat. q, what horrors, and nothing but hor-
| rOr~ cluster around the one word War" 1t is 4
| system of destruction of property, life and limb
| 4 harvest of the sick, crippled and nlimed must
| follow 10 its wake rejoice that | live under a
| a government, that II IL must be forced into a
wicked and causeless war, waged on the part OF
| rebels to uphold the most dsgracefu and damna-
| BILE institution that ever blsckened the page OF
history; they will provide home for the
unfortunate ones. As ! was escorted through
the shoe shop by friend Estes; then to
| the dining hall; then to the hospital rooms,
! aud was shown through them; then about the
grounds, through the barns aud stables by Gen.
| Tilton, really felt Ike exclaiming God bless
you"' 1t was order, kindness, cleanliness, and
neatness everywhere. They were fulfilling the
best teaching that ever saluted the ears of man,
| the hungry were fed, - and on food that looked
| good enough and clean enough for prince to
eat. The "sick were visited" the "n&ked were
| clothed, the prisoners were visited" a. |
was forcibly reminded by old marks of Libby,
Salisbury and Andersonvillc. | did not inquire
| to them, or not felt too modest, for fear they
| might think was speaking in my own behalf.
But in the past have known many Surgeons and
Generals who seemed to be blessed with lal geness
of heart, that when excited could preach very
| rough gospel.
la the shoe factory conducted by BIZ Estes |
| noticed that the men had cheerful, kind and
pleasant look, which indicated they were man.
| aged on the principle of "brotherly love-" and
everything seemed to be conducted on the strict
est business principles. The sight of those I'M
fortunate men in Uncle Sans uniform" caused
old wound. to break out afIesh in my heart, that
Shaking hands across the bloody cbssm," Gao
never eradicate so long as reason sits enthr0ned
it is folly to ask 1t. The sufferings of my own
loved ones in prison, by wounds and starvation
come up Ike troop, aud compel me to live over
the past. Besides multitude whose sickness
wounds and -utferings have witnessed to say moth
ing of INV own. And woSt of all, when the ache
seems 10 have almost left the wounds, a fresh
missile must come from that arch traitor of all
traitors, to teal open all the old wounds afresh
and make them smart with more than ten fold
greater intensity 10 the one who only looks on and
asks, why can't you let by cones be by cones -
| answer, "can one walk Goals and not he
burned :" And "a wounded spirit who can bear :"
| want to close by quoting the remark Of colored
soldier doing guard duty at Norfolk in the time of
the A white rebel ran against him and
jammed him from the walk. lie cooked his gun
and cried, "Halt, III shoot" lie did halt
Placing himself on the walk, he says to the rebel
Now 90 hack and pass me and give proper
Lutte" When he had made him comply, he
stretched himself up at full length and said slap
ping his hand upon his breast 'Me no for
dis niger, but you must spect dis uniform" |
hope and pray, this nation may ever sbhor the
s'ay, and respect It's own uniform.
IN 4