Evening star., 1898-09-06
welcome. Reception and Care.

By Welding to the earnest wishes of the
regiment on the subject of the time and
character OF Its reception and by thus
reducing to minimum formalities attend
ant upon the reception of the District vol
unteers next Friday the citizens become
the more free to devote their energies to
those substantial features of the welcome
which are calculated to rebound to the
practical benefit of the soldier boys. The
committee work now In progress is satis-
factortly advancing along this line, and
the suggestions which being given to
the community by the various chairmen
are eminently commendable. Cooperative
Efforts between the citizens and those for
nally in charge of the details will greatly
advance the prospects of sucn a successful
affair as the occasion demands. Tine COM
mittee on comfort, for instance. asks that
all householders who have rooms to spare,
especially those in the suburban sections.
notify the chairman Of their willingness to
take under their roofs such of the volun-
teers as may, upon their return. have no
homes wherein they may be nursed and fed
and comforted. This arrangement will
greatly economic the funds which are be-
ing gathered and will ensure to those SOL
der fortunate enough to be thus taken into
the homes of charitable people. kindly
treatment and heartening attentions during
the period of convalescence. 1t is to be
hoped that this appeal will meet with a
generous response, for whether there are
many or few of such cases the city must
be prepared to accommodate them.
The committee on carriages likewise is
sues an invitation to all the owners of
hicles which they will not require on the
morning of the ninth to place them at the
disposal of the committee for the trans
pCrtatior of the sick and debilitated sol
diers who will be unable to march in the
short parade or of those who, after the
breaking of ranks at the White House,
will be too weak to reach their homes un-
aided. Many men will be found whose
homes are at q distance and not In close
reach by car lines. They should be ten
derby escorted by the welcoming citizens
TO their destinations, and this work can
best be done and. Of course, most cheaply,
by the Use of private vehicles. which
certainly numerous enough in Washington
to ensure an ample supply next Friday.
BY such attentions and little sacrifices
as these the people of Washington can give
TO their welcome of the troops a character
suited to the needs and the spirit of the
day. The first thought should be and
doubtless will be for the men themselves
the men who have exposed their lives in
their country's cause, who have suffered
from disease, from privations. from the
hardships incidental to duty In the trenches
in the face of the enemy, who have endured
all manner Of mental and physical distress
during the past four months. The well
come began the moment the first detach-
mert from Santiago reached Montauk
Point and will continue until the last item
of suffering from the experiences of the
campaign has been relieved. Friday will
Of course be the day of open rejoicing and
greeting and will call forth the loudest
demonstrations But 1t will not measure
the demands upon the people. upon their
purses, their kindliness. their sympathies,
their hospitality.
By a thousand ways the citizens can do
coed on that day and on the days to come
when the individual members of the regl-
ment need help and comfort The Star has
printed list, complete as possible, Of
the men who are returning without assur-
ance of employ ment, who gave up remun-
eIatiye positions and abandoned trades to
enlist Care is to be taken that these men
do not suffer because of their enforced idle
ness or from their inability through weak
ness or disease to resume their occupations
The missionary work will begin. therefore
Immediately after the regiment has been
dismissed and the hundreds of volunteers
scatter in all directions. Painstaking dill
gehce is to be exercised that they do not
suffer silently, They are to hunted up, re-
heved. and given to understand the true
meaning of city's gratitude and pride and
charity.
These endeavors will in no wise interfere
with the formalities of the display next
Friday morning. As the regiment marches
up the Avenue. followed by escorting or
ganizations and walled in by cheering
JhrCngs OF relatives. friends and fellow
citizens. Washington will give evidence of
It's unstinted desire to stamp the home
coming as time of public rejoicing, a day
Of meaning, both to the city and to the
nation.