New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-11
THE TRIBUNE FRESH AIR FUND.

TIE TRIBUNE FRESH AIR FUND.
The overwhelming interest felt in the war
has not caused our readers To forget altogether
the beneficent work done by The Tribune Fresh
Air Fund The contributions To the Fund thus
far this season amount TO S3.3Si ~, ana dur
Ing the last week eleven parties. numbering
about four hundred Children have been sent
10 the country. This week IL Is hoped that
twenty four parties Of children may be sent
out When we say that they certainly VIII
he If the manager has the needed money we
feel sure that the generous friends ana sup
pOrters Of the Fund will rise 10 the full meas
urc Of their opportunity. as they have always
done in the past Already 12GS children have
been sent to the country this season: but that
number is only a small percentage of those who
ought TO 60 and who will he sent by the man
aver If the comparatively small sum required
for the transportation Of the children is pro-
vidcd
II Is a fact. of course. that the war has en-
crossed the attention Of many who would other
wise he ready TO aid in the work OF the FUND
We have no desire TO minimize the duties and
obligations laid upon the American people 10y
the war The brave boys Of the Army AMI the
Navy. who are Offering their lives. il need be- 10
fight the battles OF their country. are in spccia!
and sacred sense the care of the whole Nation.
The families Of those who fall viii not be forgot
ten. and the sick and wounded will he surround
ed with every comfort by grateful people.
There is no need to insist on this. for every on"
Is fully alive to It's Importance. and. In point "f
fact. the helpful impulse Of the people Is 50
strong that unless il is wisely guided 1t might
easily ovcrshoot the mark. Already. indeed.
the authorities have been Obliged Ia discourage
the sending Of delicaccs to the soldiers. which.
however well meant. would do them harm
rather than good.
But while the obligation 81 service imposed
by the war must be recognized. the obligation
OF service 10 the suffering waits IL the tone
mcnts ought not 10 he ignored Their need Is
as great as ever Many Of them are enduring
IN their crowded and unsanitary homes Tho
same toriures Of heat that thc brave fellows
around Santiago have been enduring. And
many Of them. too. are facing prospect of
death no less certain than that from the bul-
let Of a Spanish gun. Rnt while the soldiers
are upheld by the help and sympathy II great
and wealthy Nation, the children "f the tcne-
mcnts hear no word 81 cheer. ana 40 message
of hope comes to tighten thc gloom Of their arid
lives. They are too often the forgotten units
salvation-or ruin as best they may. Many Of
them are certain 10 de because Of their I'M
toward surroundings. when. perhaps, breath
Of fresh air and = glimpse Of Gods country
would save them alive for useful manhood
and womanhooi. while those Of them who
manage to survive bear upon Their bodies III"
indclibc marks Of prvaion and suffering.
The soldiers and sailors now AT the front are
the wards Of grateful Nation. iiut do ""
not owe something also 10 these hapcSS chill
dren ut our very doors: The old Bib" story
tells Us how God made man In His own Image.
II we believe that II ought 10 be orr privilege,
as II ls our duty 10 give helping hand 10 the
humhlest ana weakest child OF man our read
crs can most effectively give helping hand to
n multitude Of poor children in these swclicring
DAYS f summer ly sending contributions Ia
The Tribune Fresh Air Fund The work that
II docs is their work. and are confident that
thnv will continue Ia give Il the same generous
support TINT they hay" extended TO II in the