The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-03

they get it.
President Hayes used to apply the rule of
common law to the pension question very
effectively. He said that as it is better that
10 guilty men should escape than that one
innocent man should suffer, So by the same
rule it is better that 10 ordinary soldiers
should draw pensions than that one hero
should he without q pension.
So it should be i'm the Homes, with even TINS
proportiou. But the great mass OF these men
did their duty bravely, and deserve more from
their country than they will ever receive.
And, as to pensions there are vast numbers oil
soldiers. both in aud out of our Soldiers
Homes, who are fighting disease and death
with as much heroism as did the brave men
who marched up to the lannon's mouth; because
wires or children will be deprived OF the pen-
sions they are receiving should anything hap
pen TO them.
Miss A. ]. Whittredge, Matron Of the Ma
tional Soldiers HONE at Togus, Me- gives
many touching incidents in Home life Illus
trative of this. Often the old soldier finds iis
way to the Home in q condition little above
that of the breathing animal, broken IN spirit
and shattered in reason.
Many old soldiers enter the Home bearing
cards with the ominous words None OPP
posite that of wife relative, or friend.
az "~-"r b"rar"" "sni tn these cards" Miss
Whittreare saws. Wien am handed one ii
wondering as to whose heart was broken when
he went away to fall into paths that led SO tar
away from home, that none might ever De in-
formed of his passing away.
Illustrative of one class of pensioners was
Hugh Mcbride. sailor who died recently IN
the National Home at Togus. He was the
victim Of uric poisoning, and every few months
he was violently insane. At such times he
was rough and boisterous, aud was feared
and dreaded by all the nurses. Sometimes he
was wholly beyond the control OF force, and
the gentle little mstron would have to he
called in to give him the injection to relieve
him and superinduce sleep.
After one of those spells the matron lett the
room, but did not deem it possible that he
could rally again. She was surprised lev
hours later TO 6nd him sleeping sOundly. That
evening, when the employees were gathered
around the table, they were talking over the
case. when SOMEONE said: why did we not
let him der He will only have to 90 all over
it again" To this quick Irish girl replied ::
ayes but he has two deaf mute children IN
New York. and they will have that much more
pension"
There is at present 10 the Soldiers Home.
Togus a signal refuIation of the assertion that
there are no heroes in the Soldiers Homes.
lie lie James Mccarthy, whose card reads,
Wife, nearest relative. or friends none; PEN
sion none" He entered the Home in q pltia-
yet claimed he had q medal for special
gallantry in the face of the enemy He had
served successfully as private, Corporal. and
Sergeant of Massachusetts regiment, enlisting
Nov. 10 1861. and being mustered out after a
second cuiis; nent, June 29, 1865.
The incident. he said. which had won for him
medal took place on the retrea: when pursued
by the enemy at Laurel Hill, Va. May ~ 1864.
H was serving as Corporal in the color guard.
On the retreat Corps Mccarthy carried the
Stars aud Stripes while q comrade bore the
regimenial flag. Suddenly he missed his CON-
panon, ard. turning around saw that he had
been shot down. Mccarthy planted his STAFF,
and, running back TO where his comrade lay,
seized the flag. returned for his own, aud bore
both from the field.
Gen. Stephenson. Commandant of the Togus
Home. was the Colonel Of the 32d Mass, and
when be heard the story verified it.
The veteran had lost his medal. Later word
came that q Richmond woman had found q
medal CORES spending to the one named Oh the
battlefield near the rebel capital. where it had
been lost. Miss l.. A. Henshsw the finder.
and she had q notice inserted 10 the Boston
papers, saying she would return IL 20 the owner
And SO se'g't Mccarthy recovered his medal.
WOMEN AS MEMORIAL SPEAKERS
Women are born story -tellers and singers
and IL seems eminently proper that they should
be more aud more Ia demand TO tell the story
OF Memorial Dag TO the hosts Of people, youB,
aud old, who keep ;be day consecrsted to oul
Nations dead.
Past National President Sarah E. Fuller wal
chosen 10 make tue address AZ wcirs, n. Ii.
while Past National President Chaplain Mar,
l. Knowles spoke at Milford, Mass, aud DE
partment Secretary Mary 4. Elliott at Vii
mingtOn. At Mentor. o., the home Of Garfield
Superintendent Clare II. Bsrlcigh. Of the Ma
tionsl Relief Corps Home was the chosel
speaker.
The women of our public schools, as well q
the women Of the Reliei Corps, who drilled au
trained the children for Memorial Day ma
each have been termed an orator, whose lesson
were well impressed npon her hearers. Pas
Department Inspector Hattie A. Bray, OF Mass
chusetts. tells Of az address delivered in one
the schools prior to Memorial Day, and th
duties of the boys and girls to pay proper r,
spect 70 the same. A small boy approache
the speaker At the close with handful of viii
4owers saying:
Here are only few. but wish they migl
be put on a soldiers grave"
who shall say" she adds that the seed
sown IN that childish heart may not produt
an hundredfold."
- The influence Of Memorial Day upon wome
y themselves is very great, aud after each recit
OF the story OF bow thousands lie beneath I'll
ocean waves or on the mountain hight as
sacrifice for the Union aud the flag, they fe
new enthusiasm In tDelr Work Tor the llyin
aud in their efforts to honor the dead
Speaking for the younger women, Mrs. Bri
says: Memorial Day eau never mean to
that it means to the battie-scarred veterans
TO the women who in the terrible days of CO
fict were true helpmee,s; and yet by proper
!. respecting and honoring our heroic dead. '
lay the foundations for our characters whi'
shall manifest themselves in good ciIixensh
snd make Of US stalwsrt reserve"
THE UNKNOWN DEAD.
The work of decorating the tomb to the n
known dead in Arlington Cemetery. near Was
iDgton. ID. c., is always turned over by I
Grand Army of the Republic TO the Woma,
Relief Corps Other organizations as well
individuals, contribute of their floral wreat
+. or eyergreens. but the arrangements are whol
in charge Of the W.R.C.
Arlington Cemetery is high up on the ban
OF the Potomac, the old mansion fir.
) which il takes its name. The cemetery stretch
away from the river but the monument to
unknown dead is not far from the dwellil
1t isea large granite block set on q rous ID. be
foundation, aud on its face 10 engraved 6
4 pathetic story:
Beneath this stone repose the bones of 2,
unknown soldiers. gathered after the war r.