The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-04-12
WOyAN'S AUXILIARIES
House and Employment Committee
Caring for Orphaned Children.

fiOn with M0man's AuXlllaTis >, u. a H.. than
that which provides for the widows of fallen
soldiers the means of caring for themselves and
their families. IL is not in the distribution of
aims that true charity performs her browning
work: il is in helping the families she visits to
lives Of greater usefulness and Independence;
it is in putting work into the hands Of those
who are able to work to cheer the respondent
with a generous patronage; 20 furnish an in
centive for the exercise of the best gifts. and
by wise and loving oversight TO enable the
thrifty 70 find market for the fruits of their
toll Many a mother, left struggling with
poverty and temptation, has sunk into her
grave from Encouragement and OverwoTk for
the lack of Just such counsel and genuine help
ms the women of the Grand Army are pledged
TO extend.
it oftcp happens that soldier who has lived
comfortably by the ruits Of his toll is suddenly
removed. and his wife. unable to secure the
lighter and easier employment for which she
may be fitted, is obliged 10 take in washing or
perform other exhausting labor for which, by
reason of frail constitution or delicate health,
she is unified What wonder that she is IN
able TO stand up under her heavy burdens and
goes down under load Of sorrow-sometimeS,
alas, Of shame. Here, then, is the broad and
exhaustless field for the home and employment
committee to brighten and bless.
There are many resources for the industrious
and thrifty besides the boarding house and the
wash-tub, but they are not always accessible TO
those who are suddenly forced 10 employ them.
Besides. the applicant Eaay be a stranger, with
out influence and without recommendations
She may be an expert IN machine work; she
may knit beautifully: she may have all the
qualifications for nursing the sick she may be
an adept IN many branches Of household IN
dustry, for whose products there IS ready
demand and vet, without the right word in
the right place snd by the right person, all
these may be OF no avail III earning bread for
the children and in keeping the household fires
bright and burning.
But suppose her heart is cheercd and her
hands stayed by these who come bearing some
thing better than aims, how soon viii she be-
come rec0nciled TO the exactlons Of her new
life, and in the rewards that attend it east off
somewhat the pangs of her destitution and
sorrow. More than one comes up before me as
j write ghO has found friends and employers
through the efforts of our Grand Army work
ers: women supplied with sewing machines
by which they have earned a frugal living;
rent paid for month or two while the noes
sary arrangements could be provided for fur
nishing meals and lodgings; work solicited for
those who were in need employment for the
children as newsboys and errand boys: children
properly clothed that they might not drop be-
hind their classes at school all these come up
with avividness that is pleasant 10 dwell upon,
thought has brought about
The prime object Of Inc house and employ
ment committee is 20 render it possible for the
widowed mother TO preserve little home for
herself aud her children. There is no love like
mother love; no care like mother care, when
1T can find its true expression. Poverty is by
ne means the hardest master. The child Of a
frugal home, where self-denial is necessary and
where every childish effort must contribute to
a common want, isnot likely to become drone
in the great hive of human industry. PriTaIion
develops a spirit Of independence that is essen
tial 10 success In any position. For this reason
the children Of the poor are more likely to
make the most Of their talents and opportuni-
ties than are those Of the rich. For these and
for many better reasons the soldiers widow
should be aided in every proper effort to keep
her children together. 1t is only where sick
ness, grinding poverty, or, what sometimes
happens, gross vices, diseualify her for dis
charging her duties faithfully that any effort
should be made to find more suitable homes
for the children.
If, for any good reason, it shall be found nee
essary to Tighten the mothers burdens by
finding homes for her children, the committee
named can do a commemorate work. Most OF
our loyal States have provided State home
for the orphans of soldiers and sailors OF the
Union service. In Ohio our State home is 10
Gated al Xenia, where, in a group OF family
cottages over 600 boys and girls, under the age
of sixteen are reared to lives Of usefulness and
industry The girls are taught in the yariou.
branches Of domestic usefulness; the boys are
trained in the trades and vocations fo@ which
they are by reason OF their Sex more particu-
larry adapted. All are instructed in the English
branches. their education coupled with whole
some moral and religious training As nearly
Us possible the influences of the real homo are
brought TO bear upon the young lives IL train
ing.
One would think it would not BE difficult tc
persuade mother, who found herself unable
TO provide for her little ones, To secure fol
them privileges like these. But it will Id
found that the home and employment com.
lnittee VIII have no harder task than IN bring.
ing about just such results. First, they NIL
be required to explain the nature OF the home
there being a deep seated prejudice against
any institution that mag SAVIOR, however eTro
ne0usiy, OF the county house CT an infirmary
The mother must be made TO understand thai
IN sending her children TO the orphans home
she but avails herself Of privilege purchased
by tie voluntary services Of her husband wher
he fought N the face OF the enemyis guns. Sht
must feel that she claims right guaranteed
by purchase; that in providing such al insti
tuition the Government simply pays debit
dispenses 10 charities
Second. the advantages of the opportnnitie
afforded should be clearly set forth, and that tn
hardship Of separation will be no greater thar
il the case Of the mother who sends her ehilt
80 boarding school. The difference is that ii
the present case the Government comes for
ward, pays the price OF transportation, fur
nisbes neat, comfortable homo, with boarding
clothing, and proper instruction, and wheI
The time for returning arrives delivers the dea
one safe 10 the arms OF the mother. One sucl
boy is now II mind, whose mother parted witt
him win many misgiyings and many tears
but who 1T the expiration Of three years fron
the time Of his departure came home TO be tn
stay and support Of her falling years.
another case presents itself of little cir
whose mother died and whose father, disabie
veteran, was unable, because Of his many in
1rInities, 10 contribute TO her support. BE
relatives were all poor people, 70 whom th
care Of an additional child was an insuppori
able burden. And 50 she was knocked aroun
from place TO place. and cu1ed and heater
until she grew Obstinate and violent from
just sense Of her Wrongs. The story was toll
10 Forsyth Post ladies, who sent one Of thei
number with the child 10 Xenia, after the nee
eSsaTy arrangements had been made throug
correspondence with the superintendent. Thos
OF Us who saw the glad little girl 60 away, S
deeply grateful for the kindness bestowed upo
her through the purchase Of proper clothin
for the journey and the supplying of other nee
esSary wants, VIII never forget the touchin
and beautiful picture. she was a child Of mon
than ordinary intelligence aud spirit, and goo
reports OF her progress come TO US from time
tine. OF The entire group Of boys and girls v
have selt there equally interesting account
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