Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-04-08
GOVERNMENT WARDS.

The readers of the JOURNAL have had
the pleasure OF reading some very interest
ing letters from the facile pen oil Wm.
Thos. Mcdowell, Soldiers Home, Dayton,
| Ohio. His graphic pictures OF the Home
and its inmates have led us TO long for
more intimate acquaintance with the
Scared remnant ol our braves. The pro-
visions our country las made Tor the com
fort of those mcn who stood between us
and the shell and shot and the fatal disease
uf the hospital and camp, speaks well for
the Justice aud humanity which charoc-
ieriIes the American people. Judging
from Mr.. McDuwcl's pictures Dayton aud
vicinity must be beautiful part Of OHIO.
Nature or rather natures 'iod has touched
some OF the scenery near the home with
rosy hues ior the special benefit OF oui he.
rocs. We trust that those who fought and
blcd and did not quite die in the service
of our country will cherish the conviction
that heaven us we'll as earth cares for them.
The soldiers grave will never be forgotten.
1t is hallowed ground. Generations to
come will continue to hold those virtues
in the highest esteem which lead us TO suf-
fer and die for those whom we love. Pa
triotism is christian sentiment. The cross
is the symbol of the purest affection, No
where in all the WIDE realm Of nature do
we find such tokens of the love which heav-
EN- bears to earth as in the unseliish life OF
One who gave himself for us. The suf.
ferings and death of Christ in our behalf
gives us II cletr vision OF those exhaust!ess
store houses of love aud mercy that come
TO us from all sides both when we wake
and when we sleep. Amid the dim lights
and super abounding sheds OF the wide,
wide world, may the old soldiers at the
throne rest Their shattered and broken bod
les ell the sunny side OF creation and battle
their weary spirits III those fountains that
heal all sorrows, remove all scars, and re-
store to us the perennial vigor of manhood.
In the olden tine whisky used TO be in the
rntions of the army This article was then
reckoned among the necessities of sol
dier's outfit. The soldiers hardships
seemed 10 require the go, be joyful" of
the whisky barrel. But now-a.days it is
called the DEVILS dye stuff Boys, don't
drink i'll Better swallow a bomb shell
and blow up at once. II II poor fellow has
the "blues" lie does not need the devils
dye stuff. He is already blue enough. Let
him take the best amtidote-pure water,
plenty OF exercise and regular sleep-na-
lures sweet restorer-keep his conscience
clear, aud make a fair settlement OF his
accounts with himself, his fellows and his
God, with whom it is our privilege to hold
the most intimate fellowship as our best
and most powerful friend. Government
used TO make huge mistakes in the treat
ment of its wards. God had said cit is
not good for man to be alone" Govern
ment often puts asunder man and wife. Is
it so at the Soldiers Home? Whatever
else you have you need the hallowed innu-
ences of the family. Government ought
to encourage soldiers and all its wardens to
keep up and sustain the legal relation OF
husband and wife. One of the greatest
evils of war is the punishment of woman.
Any state OF things that req.res the rigid
isolation of man from his family is Grim
inal. The cost is not to be taken into the
account. Man as man cannot afford to
give up his manhood for any amount OF
money. May the Soldiers Home be any
thing that's good except IL bachelors hall
into which not one sweet note OF family vol
ces or blessed influences ever enter.
EcUO