The National tribune., 1897-01-21
WOMAN IN WAR AND PEACE.

"a comrades tribute to the W.R.C.)
By CAPT. JACK CRAWFORD, "THE POET SCOUT"
When God with wondrous hand had shaped the
earth.
And ope'd the fountains OF the mighty deep
When in the woodlands joyous birds gave birth
To songs which woke the echoes from their
sleep.
He then made man, and placed his untried feet
Upon the verdure Of the virgin sod.
Where rustic beauty would his new eyes greet.
And flowers deck tho pathways which lie trod.
No clouds obscured his earthly canopy
He had no cares-not even clothes 10 buy.
" Man needs helpmate," the Creator said,
Zone who will with him share the cares Of life
One who. by love and duty ever led.
Will with him meet eartl,'s happiness STRIFE"
Then with hypnotic power He caused the man
To fall into slumber deep and sound;
And when he woke TO earthly things again.
A lovely woman by his side he found
dazzling creature whose enhancing smile
Would more experienced hearts than his beguile.
We have no record that in lovers guise
Poor Adam wresled with despair aud hope
Like iovesick youth Of modern day. who tries
To throw DER tickle maid the nuptial rope.
No mention is there Of the usual spats
Which cross the lives OF lovers Of to-day,
Who sometimes scrap like vicious dogs and cats,
Then kiss each others spieful tears away.
And by fair Cupid's wings swear DER and Ger
They love each other better than before.
Eve proved a hclpmate, as the Lord had said.
The man the tree, she the sustaining root
Till Adam put the notion in her head
To pluck and eat Of the forbidden fruit.
Tis true, the Good Book tells different tale,
AID all The blame on helpless Eve is fixed;
But AS the old historians weTe male,
I've always Thought they got the matter mixed;
And bad the precedent, the good Lord knows,
For women yet are blamed for half our woes.
Down through the ages Of the world we trace
The most heroic deeds from woman's hand;
Where duty called her there has been her place,
We're clothes to mend or armies to command.
From days Of Eve she has undaunted stood
As God-sent helpmaic by the side Of man;
Nor shrunk sl,e on the battlefield where blood
From ghasily wounds In ruddy currents ran
As God intended when He gave her life,
She's been man's one support in earthly strife.
When in own loved land the battle cry
Resounded ferceiy over hill and vale,
And loyal men rushed forth 10 do and die
To crush the power which did our flag assaii
The lead-swept fields were dotted with The forms
OF lovely women who, by duty led,
Had LEFT their all to face the battle storms,
And move among the dying and tile dead,
Seeking the wounded sufferers, that they
With gentle hands might sooihe the pain away,
60 seek through history's pages from the day
When God gave Eve TO Adam, for q wife,
From time dimmed records brush the dust away,
And read the chronicles Of mortal strife;
And from Tho olden time or later mass
OF tales Of hcroism history yields,
Not one OF all the legion can surpass
The deeds OF women on our batlleficIds
Their hands administered 10 wounded braves
When death surged round them in engulfna
And when the final blood stained curtain fell
Upon the dreadful drama Of the war,
When ceased the vensefn shrek OF shot and shell
And over all cleaned Unions brilliant star.
All through the confines Of the rescued land.
From central pivot to its utmost bounds
Wives, mothers. sisters sought with tender hand
To soothe the fortunes OF war-gven woupda
And minister unto the wants of those
Whose loved ones fell while battling with tbei,
foes.
Still do they labor with untirnR zeal
10 meet the cries OF sorrow and distress
And with their ministrations strive to heal
The cares Of those on whom privations press.
Like loving vine unto the spreading tree.
The great Relief Corps to our Order clngs;
Without their best assistance we would be
But rs an eagle that had lost its wings.
And from each comrades heart there wells a
prayer
That God may give to each His ienderest care.
God bless you, girls; VIC love you every one
Mother and daughter. sister. sweetheart. wife:
From those Of ripe old age to those whose sun
Is set far eastward of the noon of life.
From duty you were never known to swerye
When dire distress solicited your aid,
And II God gives you what you all deserve.
You'll wear the brightest crowns His hands e'er
made;
Be given harps Of very sweetest tone.
And soft reserved seats close by tina throne