Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-27

capital of our vast-spreading Republic depends
upon the management of its affairs; the people
OF The District have tried it for fifty years, with
what success Is unpleasantiy too prominent.
Now let Congress assume control of the affairs
OF the national scat of government. and ECKER
else exclusive legislation In all cases whatsoever
over the District of Columbia" H. X.
WOMAN IN THE WAR.
Some Reflections Suggested by a Visit
to Arlington.
"Inasmuch as We did it unto one of the least of
these, my brethren, We did it unto me-"
"Where shall we drive-to the Soldiers Home
or to Arlington?" was the question Of our es-
cort.
ooh, to Arlington" was the answer; I have
not been there since just after the war"
SO our carriage rolled over the asphalt pave
ment OF Washington and Rock creek bridge,
and then over the cobbe-stones of the winding
| street OF Georgetown to the Aqueduct bridge
| over the Potomac. TWENTY-FIVE cents toll seems
rather an imposition, by the way. and must be
| drawback to the improvements on the Virginia
| side of the river. For some reason Washington
lacks the pretty suburban cottages that surround
our northern cities. The Hudson river presents
panorama of lovely hOmes-castle, villa
and cottage, each beautiful in it's way
You are struck with the contrast as YOU reach
the Virginia side Of the river. and for this rea-
son you are more impressed by the imposing
mansion at Arlington The portico with it's
lofty pillars commands view that will forever
De picture in memory. 1t crowns wooded
prOmOntOry slOping down to the river. and the
city OF washington, with its magnificent dis
tances. will always have one central point, the
white dome of the Capitol. its marble wings
and Corinthian pillars, ga thing of beauty and a
JOY forever" So fascinating was the view we
fingered there before making the usual pill
griIna@e to the graves Of the hOnOred dead
One-armed soldier was the only person WIS.,
IDLE on the premises. We asked him where he
had lost his arm.
''In the battle Of Fredericksburg" he an
swered.
One Of the ladies there said she had been a
nurse in military hospital during the war
Nv as 1t not at ArmOry square. Washington"
asked the soldier, land were not you the lady
who used to play upon the meledeon in Ward
E." -
There was natural recognition and reminis-
cences OF those DAYS Of peril. of herosm and en-
durance. The women who devoted themselves
to that work. giving time, strength health, and
sometimes life itself, are not forgotten by the
soldiers. though they seem to be ignored by the
government. Our sex eXempts us from mill
tary service. and even the most progressive of
the strong minded sisterhood, have not asked
for commission in the army. All that We can
give In time OF war is care of the sick and
wounded, which means devoted labor, tender
ness and sympathy; besides that we can give
sons, brothers and husbands. and all that is left
to Us may be mound in Arlington cemetery
There was once a widow who put her two
mites into the treasury. The Divine Master
said ''they were more than all the gifts of the
rich men," So orr poor gifts may be remem-
bered, when even military glory shall have been
forgotten.
A woman in Indiana lost two sons In the
army: she was with one who died in a hospital,
and there she remained to care for his comrades
In six battles in Virginia she was with the sani-
tary commission at the front, without the appli-
ances of city hospitals. After the battle Of Get
tysburg. in her unselfsh and laborious work she
had sunstrOke, which Frustrated her. She
finally recovered her health but with the loss of
sight. widow, childless, blind and destitute.
she now asks for pension from the government
for her services during the war: but the answer
is that Congress has made no appropriation for
women who served in the army"
Nearly twenty years have passed since the
surrender at AppOmattOx. Millions of dollars
have been voted for pensions to soldiers, honors
and treasure have been lavished upon success
full generals superb homes presented to them in
various cities, while no fitting recognition has
ever been made OF the services of the heroic
women, who left homes of comfort and luxury
to succOr wounded and dying soldiers. They
not only gave their services at hospitals but
their homes in the city We're open to soldiers in
distress The Latch string" was always out.
and day in this cause, dispensing royal hOspi-
tally to foot sore and weary battaliOns. Some
are dead. and some are still living-many Of the
latter poor, stricken in years, and broken in
health. One day they will hear the sentence
''Well done good and faithful servant enter
thou into the joy OF thy Lord" But must all
wait for that reward? The noble benefcence Of
one citizen OF Washington has given the Louise
Home" to destitute ladies. Why is there but one
such institution 1t is strange that none of the
a hmm ant fhnv sr
same channel for the benefit and relief Of women
who gave their services to the cause of the
Union. 1t is debt that has now accumulated
by nearly 2Oyears with compound interest. and
our government should not repudiate such an
obligation. nor pay it grndgingly.
Besides the pension a home for those who
need it should be provided. both here and in
the western states. These homes would be an
object Of benefcence tor patriotic men and
women OF wealth, and they would soon be fur
nished with all that was needed to make them
comfortable and beautiful. What more appro-
pirate place could be found for such an institu-
ton than the mansion at Arlington, among the
graves OF the men whose dying moments
have been sOOthed by the tender care OF
these women The desOlate empty house
now so deserted, would have the home-like air
that is still retained at Mount Vernon. The
beautiful grounds, the romantic glades and the
old garden would be source of happiness and
give an Indian summer to lives whose sere and
yellow leaf verges on the winter Of age.
Such were our thoughts as we drove through
the grand gateway on our hOmeward route.
One OF these entrances Is OF Gothic architecture,
the inscription over it
"HOw sleep the brave who sink to rest
BY all their country's wishes bleSt.n
The other has two lofty columns on each side,
standing upon stone foundation. The pillars
once supported the portico of the old War or
Navy department, and were removed here when
the building was replaced by the new one. The
gate resembles Roman archway The motto
above Is
ION Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread.
And Glory guards with silent round
The bivOuac OF the deadn
Superb iron gates open from the columns
Emblems on the center Of each are q helmet
spear and sword. surrounded by q wreath OF
laurel, upon which is the motto. 'Dulce ct De-
corum est pro Patria mOri." Sweet and proper
is it to die for our country; but do not let us
wait until all its defenders are under the sod
before they can feel nations gratitude.
Washington, October IS, 1888. SYBn.
A Rifle Nall as a Persuader.
From the New York World
telegram from Wheeling, W. Va, October