The National tribune., 1883-03-15
Woman's AuxilIar;es,

In another column, this week, we print
the first Of series of articles on Woman's
Auxiliaries, prepared especially for THE
TRIBUNE by Mrs. Kate B. Sherwood presi-
dent of Forsyth Post Woman's Auxiliary,
of Toledo, Ohio. The object of these arti-
cles is to supply,in detail such instructions
and suggestions concerning the organization
and conduct of Post Auxiliaries as will
enable our readers to undertake the work
with thorough understanding alike of its
requirements and possibilities, and Mrs.
Sherwood's intimate acquaintance with the
management of these Auxiliaries warrants
us in believing that our expectations will
not be disappointed. 1t has always been
the opinion of THE TRIBUNE that to have
the cooperation Of the loyal women of the
land, if not absolutely essential, was at least
highly important to the permanent pros
perity of the Grand Army, and the time has
come, in its Judgment, when every Post in
the country should take the necessary steps
to secure it. Many sound reasons might be
urged therefor. In the first place, it is due
to the ladies themselves that an opportunity
should be afforded them to participate in
the work and pleasures of the Order The
suppression of the rebellion was not due
solely to the valor of our soldiers, but to
the constancy, devotion and selfsacriice of
their wives and mothers and sweethearts-
to the patriotism, indeed, of the women who
remained behind to wage a not less bitter
contest with poverty and want, and who,
in spite of the desolation in which they
dwelt and the trials with which they
were surrounded, did not falter in their
duty to their country and its defenders.
But for their steadfastness the war might
have had different ending, and it is due to
them now, we repeat, that they should not
be shut out from all association with our
veterans in the work and pleasures of the
Grand Army.
In the second place, their aid ought to
be solicited for its own sake In devising
means for the raising of relief funds, q
woman's forethought is invaluable, and no
judgment is finer than hers in the distribu-
tion of charity. The fairs, concerts, lectures,
picnics, theatricals-in fact all the expedi-
ents to which our comrades are in the habit
of resorting when it becomes necessary to
replenish Post treasures would fail of
their object without her help and direction,
and the better organized her efforts are the
more efficient they are likely to be. When
a Woman's Auxiliary has once been estab-
hshed in connection with Post, there is an
end Of all uncertainty as to the maintenance
of relief funds.
But surely there is no occasion to argue
the question. The work that has been ac-
complished by Woman's Auxiliaries in
nearly every Department of the Grand Army,
during the last five or six years, is matter
of record, and it is not too much to say that
but for their sustaining influence many
now thriving Post would long since have
gone to the wall. So well convinced, in
deed, are we of their Importance to the
Order, that we believe their organization
ought to proceed hand in hand with the
mastering of new Posts, so that from the
very first our comrades may enjoy their aid
and cooperation. Were that done, the
work of building up new and feeble Posts
would be far less difficult and uncertain,