Evening star., 1898-08-24
The Returning Regiment.

Every present indication points to a rous-
ing meeting of citizens tonight to take first
steps toward according the returning Dis
trict volunteers an appropriate reception.
This meeting will doubtless be attended by
representative gathering of all classes of
citizens. Among these will be many who
have a personal interest in the occasion
through the presence of relatives or dear
friends in the returning ranks. Others will
attend out of their general sympathy with
such local enterprises and from a sentiment
of local pride. others because they feel 1t
to be the duty and pleasure of the people
of the capital to show their appreciation
of the sacrifices which these soldiers have
freely offered in their country's name But
from whatever motive the meeting may be
attended the prevailing inspiration will be
to do what is wisest and most suitable in
greeting the military represe nta tives of the
District in this war and in providing now
and in the future for such of them as may
require assistance.
The greeting itself is by no means all the
occasion demands The display of decora-
tions. perhaps the discharge of fireworks,
the holding OF reception, the delivery. of
addresses, the spreading of a feast-all
these only the outward tokens of the
ing regiment.
There is apparent in the attitude of the
citizens awakened and augmented sense
of duty on the part of the community to
the militia force from which this regiment
formed and which il represents The
National Guard is TO be fostered in the fu-
ture more assiduousiy even than in the gen
erous past. This body must be maintained
at a high standard of efficiency, in order
that on other occasions such as the future
may perhaps develop, calling for similar
representations in the American army, or
home duty by the citizen soldiers, the re-
suits may be even more gratifying than
they now are.
Individually, too, these volunteers are to
be considered in the immediate future.
Some of them will return penniless, their
slight means exhausted by the home de-
maHds during the weeks of their enlist
mtnt. without employment, ana, if no help
be given, without the chance to secure
positions. There is likely to be suffering
among them and their families unless the
citizens care for them, see that they are
furnished with the means of earning a
livelihood, and superintend their affairs for
a time. Tine banquet or lunch or what not
in the Way OF gastronomlcs proposed for
the formal reception when the regiment re-
turns is not the only meal which will have
To be provided for some of these brave fel-
lows.
Careful thought and efficient organization
are needed in providing both for the recep-
ton and for the present and future ma
terial welfare of the volunteers. The two
lines of eEdeavor can well be Jointly man
eyed and the work of tonight's meeting
may properly include the consideration Of
all phases of the case.
The enthusiasm displayed in the matter
Of welcoming the soldier boys home ought
10 make relatively easy the task of provid-
ing the necessary funds. Judging from
somewhat similar enterprises successfully
conducted in the past it is not too much to
expect that the organization effected to-
night will be so thoroughly representative
Of the capitals energy and business intel
igence that in a very short time all the
essentials for striking affair, complete in
every respect, will be at hand. Washington
has but TO go tito the matter with its
characteristic determination to accept the
opportunity to the full in order to make
the Homecoming of the District regiment
one of the most brilliant and practically
beneficial occasions in local history.