The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-07-01
Department GIeanIng..
TO SOLDIERS WIVES AND WIDOW


Once more have laid our Horal offerings on
the tonbs Of the brave soldiers, who will never
again march to the roll OF the drum but that great,
silent host must await the rumpetcall Of the Resur
rection. Ii Is fitting that we remember them all
teBderiy. And the flag OF our country grows dearer
10 US when we think Of the awful baptism OF blood
through which II has passed in Revolution and re-
bellion, upheld by the eternal throne OF justice;
when we realize something Of the terrible suffer
ings and sacrifices Of those who defended IL TO the
death, dying like martyrs for the priceless boon Of
liberty; when we think Of those we saw who came
out of Southern prisons. poor, pitiful wrecks OF
humanity, the light OF noble intellect almost gone
and In its place balfidiotic stare, their very APP
pearance might bring tears from the eyes of every
loyal heart, from the President down 10 the little
child.
The memory Of this awful tragedy Is as fresh in
our minds to-day as when we babe good-by To some
Of the noble young students Of the Empire State
whose remains rest in Southern soil. In view Of
the hardships endured by the soldier, of cold and
hunger and weary marches, that would undermine
an iron constitution We as the wives OF those brave
men, should never complain, no matter how hard
the toll, how plain the fare. for own dis
abilities contracted IN the daily battle for bread and
butter. We should be as accomplishing as they
have been. We are going down the sunset slope of
life and We say, Our Government will give US
nothing TO comfort our waning days, yet the warm
est patriotism kindes Within and we are proud to
say we are citizens OF the United States"
We are not begging; the Nation owes us an hon
est debt. But how unevenly the moneys OF the
Treasury are distributed Is what astonshed
at IL we had been so unfortunate as to have been
n widow of General of the late war, we might
have lived in luxury, with sumptuous repasts in
fashionable resorts In the rustic OF silks and CLEAN
Of damonds-a life Of selfish ease and pleasure
while thousands were half starving. We honestly
prefer before God own humble lot 10 that where
we know the real value OF every pound Of -four and
meat and butter, and every identical item pur-
chased. And we've kept the wolf away from the
door. But one-seyenth OF $50 would DC great
monthly consolation. II we had been so unfortn-
nate a. TO have been a widow Of deceased Pres-
dent. we could have had 5000 per snnum. One
hundredth part OF that sum monthly would feed
u al.
Relief Corps has not yet reached, and saved some
despairing soul from taking his own life. Do you
envy Mrs. James X. Polk, for instance2 What
elevated her to that position? She simply married
"A man whom the people elevated 10 the highest
position Chief Magistrate Of the United States.
Did the wife Of the officer sacrifice any mere for
her country than the wife OF the common soldier?
Are they not alike widowed before God? But, OF
course. know IL Is So in all ages In all countries
the aTistocracy and the piebean poor. Rank and
caste viii ride rough-shod over the lower classes,
and America Is no exception 20 the general rule.
But what responsibility rests on those who have
the power TO make their fellow-ereatuTes comfort
able by n simple act of justice 10 those who kept
the very bloodstained soil Of liberty beneath their
feet and our country's symbol Of light and law
floating overhead. Had they failed to do their
duty who can conceive OF the wO and darkness and
anarchy that might have oyeTthrown the best
| Government on earth. Long may our Republic
live and prosper! Yet its pillars must be loyalty,
equity and righteousness, like the nations of
uquty, the mighty ELbric will erumble into ruin.
In conclusion, WIN say would be glad 10 cor
| ing our mutual welfare and interests.-AIrs. Emma
A. Cartwright. Bennett, Allegany Co, N Y.
DEPARTMENT OF OREGON.
DEAR TRIBUNE: In answer 10 inquiry of our Past
Corps President, now In the East, asking what has
become Of Oregon, and rs have watched THE
| TRIBUNE In vain for some news of Relief Corps
work there, will say our Corps although laboring
under many difficulties, still lives. We have
changed the time Of our meetings from Saturday
afternoon 90 Tuesday evening, Ia rooms adjoining
those occupied by the Post. We find the change
0f
both societies The Post and Corps gave n Camp
fire at Marion Square the evening of May Is,
which was honored by tire attendance OF Depart
| ment President Mrs EliZL "A. Caukin, OF Portland
| We had a very enjoyable time and brought into
funds for Memorial Day the snug little of SOB
Our comrades and ladies ere looking eagerly for
ward 10 meeting with old-time friends from the
| East AT the Encampment at San Francisco. now 50
close at hand.-Helen SouthwicS President Sedg-
wick Corps, No. ], Department Of Oregon.
NATIONAL ROSTER, w.R.c.; JUNE /, 1886.
officers Of the Nati5a5l Contention.
President-Sarah f. Fuller, Ests, Boston, Mass
| San Francisco, Cal
Junior Observation-Disclosures j. Kent, Ports.
| mouth n. III.
secretary-Eleanor b. Wheeler. South Boston
| Mass.
Treasurer-El Elizabeth A. Turner. Boston. Mass.
Chapiain-Annic Wttenmyer, Philadelphia, Pa
Inspector-Deborah q. King Lincoln, Neb
counselor-Emma g. Pease, Toledo o.
lnsttuting and Installing ohicer-Elizabeth @
Kcifer, Waterbury, Conn.
Council OF Northumberland r. Fuller. OK
oficio. President: Eleanor b. Wheeler. -ofieio
Secretary; r. Florence Barker, Maiden, Mass.
Kate H. Sherwood Toledo, o.; Margaret T. Wick
ems. Sabetha, kan Sarah q. Nichols. Auburn. N
"; Frances X. Martin, New Haven, Conn.
Departments
California;. Jane Russell. President Oakland
Addie A. sherman Secretary. GIG 18th St, Oakland
Sarah j. Farwell. Treasurer. SIC 18th St., Oakland
Colorado--Mary Jewett Telfo-d, President Dea
yeri Augusta Is. Henderson, Secretary, 47s Law