Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-06-06
PRAISE FoR orR NOBLE WOMEN
4 Ve,srna's TriBS,e Of Honor and GsrHt-
ilnde.

A Jacksonville old soldier, for the whole
of whose letter we have not room this
week, makes a strong plea for cordial rec
ognition Of the part borne by the women
of the North in the war of the rebellion.
The writer found great satisfaction in the
Memorial day exercises at West Halifax
and Jacksonville, but was sorry to find no
proper recognition made Of the important
part borne by the women in the great con
hict. The old boys" he says, are clear
visioned enough and generous enough TO ap-
preciate the value of the Woman's Relief
corps in advancing their interests This
organization has an influence that is far
reaching and an amount of tact that is
wonderful Its objects are TO assist war
veterans who need help and protection, TO
extend aid to their widows and orphans, TO
inculcate lessons Of patriotism among the
children, to teach allegiance TO the United
States, and 10 discourage whatever tends
to weaken the spirit u loyalty and love of
country. Its ranks are open to all women
of correct character and department who
have not given aid TO the enemies Of the
Union, and would perpetuate principles to
which the organization stands pledged.
The courage and devotion of the women
Of the North changed the boldest concep
tions Of our leaders into glorious achieve
ment Through her influence in the home
and the school she prepared generation Of
men 10 walk through the even-times heat
ed furnace Of a civil war. IL was from a
mothers lips that our most brilliant leaders
gained their first lessons in patriotism as
with glowing eye aud swelling breast she
told the story Of the thrilling scenes in
which the stars and stripes were born 1t
was woman who gave the sword into the
hands Of husband, brother or son. and
charged him to suffer no stain Of dishonOr
to mar its brightness. She applauded the
| brave inspired the timid with courage, and
bravely hid her tears while she cheered the
departing troops She followed the sol
| diers to the front with her mnistratOns of
| love and gentleness, and as she stood by the
cot of the dying her face took on the feat
ures and seeming of the loved ones at
home In the darkest days Of disaster her
faith burned bright and she saw with pro
| phetic vision the time when the nation
should triumph gloriously and the horse
and the rider be cast into the sea. At home
she bravely took up the tasks Of men that
the decimated ranks might be filled giving
first one and then another Of her noble
boys, and when the cry came for "still 300,
900 more, she withheld not the child OF
her old age, but gave hun with a faith like
that Of the patriarch who led the child OF
promise 10 the mount Of sacrifice. II the
battlefield had its terrors, not less had the
home its terror Of loss and sacrifice. II
liberty counted her martyrs by thousand:
in the track Of our armies, she found then
no less among the broken hearted wOmer
Of the land None but those who felt il
can tell the strength which the memory oi
"A pure, brave mother, wife or sister gave
to the soldiers heart and arm. He fought
as one who fights his way towards home
knowing that he could only come again il
peace and honor through the gates of vic
tory The unseen presence Of woman
spiritual influence stilled the voice Of rude
ness, rebuked vice and kept the heart clean
God bless the patriotic women Of Oui
land ~ says this writer in closing his let
ter IAN of the old veterans fondly an,
gratefully acknowledge that her power wa
great, and gladly share with her the glor.
and blessing of victory. Always may tn
sweet, pure face Of wife, daughter, siste
or mother purify and chasten our joys :"