The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-08-01
A PPEALING FOR AID.
A Plea for the Manned and Dis.
abled Confederate Soldiers.

A Plea for the Manned and Dis
abled Confederate Soldiers.
To the People OF Texas:
Several years ago "The John B. Hood
camp" of this city. inaugurated plan
for establishing home for disabled, indi-
gent ex-C Confederate soldiers.
The philsnthropic men who undertook
the enterprise had many difficulties to en-
counter, but have emphasized good
work, and can point with pride to beau
tiful home where about thirty of the old
heroes are comfortably sheltered.
The present accommodations, however,
are not commensurate with the demand,
and hundreds of worthy applicants, left in
penury by the viossitudes Of war, and
doomed to remain so by physical disabili-
ties, must be denied admittance.
Travis county could easily care for her
own dependent soldiers, but the object of
this institution is to shield from beggary
and want all the brave fellows whose prod
igies of valor were once the admiration
of the world.
The state of Texas in 1861 called her
sons to arms, and without questioning the
right or considering the danger, they
promptly responded to the call. For four
years upon every contested field her ban
ners led the van of battle, and her FIVE
pointed star was always found among
the dead and wounded.
When the war was ended
many of these MANNED heroes
returned to their homes, unable to care
for themselves, and have been bIffetted
from place to place, whenever charity
opened a'door, or pity promised assist
ance.
No reasonable person would expect one
community to raise money sufficient to
construct the necessary buildings, and
furnish the necessary supplies for all the
helpless ex-Confederstts of our state, and
it is but just and fair, that every town and
county should assume pro-rata of ex-
penses.
In presen ting the claims of such an en-
terprise, il requires neither logic nor
psthos to awaken sympathy in every
generous nature, and surely the "men
of gray,"-"the knightliest throng
whereof the world holds record,"-
cannot neglect the comrades, who fell by
their sides, as they marched through that
long night of sorrow and blood.
We, who, when the morning dawned,
were left unsecured by blade or ball, will
be unworthy the colors we wore and the
history we made if now we fail to come up
to the full measure of soldiers highest
duty.
Many posts of "The Grand Army"
with a magnanimity unparalleled in his
tory, have made liberal contributions to
this Confederate Home, and words cannot
express our gratitude to those true and
gallant soldiers, but every impulse of
manhood imposes the sacred trust of
caring for these unfortunates upon the
friends and comrades VINO shared their
dangers and know their worth.
The United States government distrib-
utes millions OF dollars annually to those
who enlisted in the northern army and
who we're injured by the war.
The pension list numbers almost as many
men as ever followed the standards of
Grant and Sherman, and we of the south,
who contribute largely to that fund, do
not com plain.
We willingly provide for those VINO swept
with fire and sword the fairest portions of
our land and crushed with iron hoois our
hopes of nation; but in mercy's name
what have we done for the men who barred
their breasts to the storm and went down
before it? Absolutely nothing.
Citizens of Texas, reflect upon these
things and let the memories of common
hopes and consecrated SORROWS that fol-
lowed to the death the waning fortunes
of a cause we loved-move every gentle
hearted woman, and every chivalrous
man to join us in this noble charity.
L. S. Ross, Chairman,
u. T.FuLMoRE, Secretary,
r. M. SwEARINGEN,
JOHN B. RECTOR,
W. r. HANDY,
n. &. SHELLEY,
Y. B. DEBRAY
HENRY E. SHELLEY,
W.. G. WALSH,
III. ToBIN,
A. P. WooLDRIGE,
f. I. ROCHE.