The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1881-10-08
ANOTHER SOLDIERS, HOME,

ANOTHER SOLDIERS HOME.
The following, from the Holyoke Herald, is
evidence that at last one State is beginning to
realize that those who maintained its honor dur
ing the war entitled in these DAYS of peaceful
prosperity, secured through their sacrifices to
something more than the consideration extended
to common paupers when age and disease. or
both, prevent them from earning a livelihood
1t IS to be hoped not only that the projected
Home IN Massachusetts may become a success.
but that other States may establish similar insti-
| tutlons IN such numbers as will obviate the
necessity OF any soldier Or sailor ever becoming
an inmate of the poor-house.
1t Will surprise many patriotic people to learn
that between one and two hundred Massachu
sets soldiers are in the pOor-hoEses to-day cand
dates for the dissectingtable and paupers grave.
Such is the unhappy fact. Better far to have
been torn to pieces by shell, and buried with
their comrades in the trenches of Antietam or
Gettysburg. The insufficiency of fuctuatine
State aid laws is proven by this overcoming
humiliation of soldiers so brave and citizens 50
beloved" 1t pains and stains every soldier who
has worn the blue. In any future civil OF for
eign war-and in no spirit of hostility to our gal
effectually paralyze enlistment than such an end
ing of hundred loyal lives, while Longstreet
was minister to Turkey, and Mosby consul at
Hong Kong.
Massachusetts has done much for her soldiers.
But her soldiers did more for Massachusetts, For
all that a man hath will he give for his life
In explanation of their poverty, it must be
remembered that many got no bounties or in
creased pay, and that the soldiers money depre-
ciated more than 60 per cent. though the Gen
eral orders" of September 8, 1861. promised
Treasury notes as good as gold" These men
lost their best years for forming business habits
and connections. Not all, even wounded men,
who merit pensions, can get them. The laws
delay starves some. For Others evidence is for
ever lost. The four National homes are not
legally open to all mertoriOus soldiers in distress
and even If they We're, exile from the State was
no part of the States promise The splendid
shreds and tatters enshrined to Doric Hall are
broken-hearted man. The blood-stained battle
flags OF his own regiment at least are his Amid |
scenes OF desperation that no words can tell he |
has rlsked his life for the States pale banner 1t
is no charity to send him away to some distant
National home to die, far from every cOmrade far
from any kindred, far from his historic Massa-
chusetts, far, to use Andrews glorious words,
from these proud memories of many fields sweet
memories alike Of valor and of friendship i'm
mortal memories with immortal honors blended
To enshrine the senseless emblem of victory and
remit its victorious bearer to exile or the paupers
grave, is not in accord with the nOblest inspira-
ton and traditions of the logical old Bay State
Proud as she is she once relied through anxious
days and nights, upon that humble lifes devo-
ton. For what he was, and all he dared re-
member him to-day!
New York has established a soldiers home
Other States have provided hospitals Maine
has a soldiers home in addition to the great
National home at Togus. Massachusetts has
avished much money under State aid laws
which recent codification shows to be incohe-
,ent and which, it cannot be denied, are in
sffectual to keep her soldiers out of the poor
house. But she has no soldiers home for dis
pairing men who were once the wall between her
.redit and Lees armies, though she owns twice
Is many bonds and bank stocks as all the s
Southern States; all of which would have been
waste paper if Lee had succeeded 1t was
n the days of Roman luxury that Caligula
rdered the old gladiators to be given to the ;
ions of the circus, because WORKOUT fighting ;
men were useless, and meat was dear
"a hospital home in Massachusetts has become
necessity for our feeble and destitute soldiers.
ONE of whom are seventy years of age The q
irand Army, which has contributed largely :
ails with joy such coadjutor. q
Under the pressing sense of debt to patriot t
SIN, charity and justice, the undersigned incor- r
grated Trustees of the Soldiers Home in Mas g
have at last purchased, at quarter O
its original cost and fully furnished the High n
md Park Hotel, on Powder Horn Hill in
helsea. 1t is Boston, large enough for