The National tribune., 1889-06-13
RELIEF CORPS NEWS
Gleanings from National Headquar-
ters---NOtes from the Departments.
THE WOMEN OF THE NORTH.

The following spirited lines written for the Re-
lief Corps of Troy. O., by T. G. Harbaugh, are good
enough for National application, and are given as
a fitting tribute to the Memorial Day work of the
WR.C. for May so, 1889:
o, loyal women of the North. who in the hours of
strife
On Bonded knees asked God to guard our cher
ished Nations life,
For you an humble poets wreath proudly weave
to-day.
And crown the honored heads where shine the
gold among the gray.
The battles on the mountain-side and on the
oceans foam
Will not outlive in history the ones you won at
homel
The spirit Of the Spartan dame who sent her hero
forth
To die for home was in your breast, o mother of
the Northl
1t mattered not where went the flag that waved
above the blue,
On land sea- thrO' smoke and ire your love
went with it, too;
And those who bore its stars aloft and battled I'M
dismayed
Knew that behind them on their knees million
mothers prayed.
And in the horrid prison-pen, where men lay down
With hunger's cot beneath them and above bra
zen sky,
Your love, mother, safely passed the sentinels in
And cheered the dying hero as from earth he
passed away.
Among the deadly trenches and upon the PATIENTS
cot,
How many loved one asked for you with fever
And near a heart forever still, tho war had left 40
trace,
The searching hand of comrade found how oft your
pictured facet
The same bright stars that lit at night Jehovah's
Shone on the band that battled and the one that
prayed at home;
And when the bue-clad wrecks of war from battle
drifted forth,
How tendery you nursed them, noble women of
tie North.
They died at home, those heroes; In your arms
they passed away,
As bravey mustered out as if they died before the
gray;
With tenderness you crossed the hands on many a
lifeless breast,
And kissed the gallant sleepers ere they carried
them to rest.
So, loyal women of the North, I'd weave wreath
for you
And round It's stems I'd gently Irvine full many a
And over all with grateful hands our flag L d hold
The value of mothers prayrs, the richness of
her love.
Think not there stands no record Of your noble
ness on high,
The deeds you did those troublous times can never,
And as in mercy and in love God sees the sparrows
fall,
So not in vain your tears were shed, for He hath
marked them all
NO PooRHoUsE FOR THE WIVES.
Judge ]. w. O'NeaIl, Department Commander OF
Ohio gave expression to the feelings of comrades
everywhere when he made the following senti-
ment part of his annual address before the Ohio
Encampment, in commenting on the Ohio Soldiers
and Sailors Home at Sandusky Both GAL En-
campment and W.R.C. Convention voted to press
the subject upon the attention of the Legislature.
But one fault can be found with this Home. He
who enters there if lie has a wife, must leave her
behind to go over the hill to the poorhouse; this
ought not to be SO. And most earnestly recon-
mend that at as early date as possible addi-
tional appropriation be secured from the Legisla-
ture, and that additional cottages be constructed
and erected on plan that will admit, with proper
restriction and limitations, not only the old vet
| eran, but with him his loving devoted and aztec
| tionate WIFE The soldier will never be satisfied
| with legislation which sends him to Soldiers and
Sailors Home and sends his wife to the poorhouse
| further suggest that we recommend TO the Board
that al as early date possible Chaplain for the
j Home be appointed, who may spend his time in
reading TO the comrades and in breaking to them
/ the bread of life"