The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-05
PREACHERS AND WOMEN FOR WAR

A Kansas editor, in bitter words,
complains that the preachers are all
for war. He wakes cynical, if not bit
ter over the fact. But so are the wom-
en- of the country. 1t is somewhat of a
question whether a majority of their
fathers, brothers and husbands are for
war, but undeniably the average wom-
an is outspOken for war, the most of
them because of what women and chill
dren have had to suffer at the hands
of the SpaniaTd in Cuba. Like Josh
Billings, they stand ready to sacrifice
their male relatives of every degree.
But many women would not hesitate to
do something positive and effective in
the event Of a struggle. Numbers, be-
side, would volunteer as nurses. An
army nurse is not an easy lot, but many
filled the place with honor and even
glory during the war of the rebellion.
A few of them are receiving pensions
for the deeds done and sacrifices made.
But women under so are not desirable
for that service. When entering it they
must strip themselves of furbelows,
discard curls and bows and ribbons and
jewelry. and dress in plain black or
gray.
Women in the war Of the rebellion
did considerable service as spies. Cen
eraI Sheridan recounts a highly inter
esting episode with one of these at
the time he was operating in the valley
of Virginia. General Shakespeare of
Kalamazoo could telI-sometimes does
tell-a story of a woman who enlisted
in his company and served for q long
time before her sex was discovered.
This story is a matter of government
record. Congress investigated it in 1884.
The woman enlisted at Flint. and was
tolerably well known in Genesee county
where some Of her people stfu reside.
She showed by official documents her
service as a private and her honorable !
discharge from the army A pension
was awarded to her
Thousands of patriotic women sym
pathize with Mrs. Shnlington Of Chi !
cago, whose son went down in the i'll |
fated Maine. Mrs. Shillington has an
other son on q cruiser. and she but /
echoes the feelings of countless hosts !
of wives and mothers when she says: |
II only want 10 see the honor of the |
country indicated, so that my boy, /
who IS a sailor on board a United States /
ship, can walk the streets of a foreign 4
city and feel that the blue uniform he /
wears is respected. and If he dies. his /
government will demand an atonement |
and that he is something more than the |
iron guns or the plating on the side Of |
the vessel that can be left buried in the |
muddy bottom Of a harbor and forgot
ten.
Mrs. Henrotin. OF the National FEEDER |
alton of Women. in appealing 10 Nc
Kinley not to favor war, is not reflect /
ing the will of American women. even if /
she is that Of the women's clubs 1t
is natural that the women should wish
to be spared the loss Of their loved ones.
but in the cause of humanity. for the
sake of the thousands Of stricken moth
ers of Cuba they viii consent gladly.
even though il be with tears in their
eyes, TO let their husbands and sons
and brothers and other dear ones go
10 war IL need be. The rebellion show
ed that there were no greater patriots
among the men than were the millions
OF dvoted women. and the Spanish war.
II it should come, will bring forth an
equal proportion Of noble, self-sacrific-
ing wives and mothers.