Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-22
When the Boys Come Marching Home
Again.


The return from Santiago of few of the
fever-stricken soldiers of our local regi-
ment GncIuding two who went out from
The Star circle to fight for their country
suggests the future Homecoming of the
entire regiment end the propriety of prepa-
rations for suitable welcome.
Washington has not, however, reserved
the demonstration of it's distinguished con-
sideration and affectionate regard for its
soldiers until their return The bestowal of
honor upon them has been and will be a
continuous performance, eliminating ma
turally in the enthusiastic outburst which
will mark the day of their arrival here.
This city in the war with Spain, as in the
civil war, gave evidence of it's love of coun-
try by furnishing troops far in excess of Its
quota, SURPRISING in this respect almost
every other community. 1t provided unos-
tentatiously by private subscription an
equipment fund for the National Guard,
to remedy certain defects in the prepara-
lions for active campaigning. 1t sent forth
its soldiers, after a presidential review,
with a universal Godspeed. 1t has fol-
lowed infinitely and anxfousiy every move
of it's regiment, with sympathy in its hard
ships and with admiration at every display
of good discipline and equipment, of cour-
age and all other soldierly qualities. 1t has
taken under its energetic guardianship the
local interests of the soldier boys Places
of honor or profit which they yielded in
order to go forth to battle for their coun-
try have been preserved for them, and, as
in the case of National Guard officers
among the volunteers, every effort to make
their patriotic absence work loss or injury
to them has been sternly discountenanced.
Organizations have been formed to supply
necessaries and comforts. not only for the
boys at the front, but for their families,
when needy at home.
The same substantial indications of honor
ard regard will characterize the successive
stages of our regiments return. When one
of our soldiers has died he is not fifty hon
o, ed unless thsre is tender care of those
he has left behind. When our soldiers,
stricken by disease, return singly or in
groups to their homes, they are to be well
comed at once and honored in thu most eff
fective way in the loving thoughtfulness of
their reception and treatment. They are to
be nursed to health again by every means
which anxious solicituds can devise. In
this connection practical consideration for
our soldiers swelling the number to be ulti-
ma tely welcomed by increasing the chances
of their return alive, is shown in securing
for the home trip not a Concho or Mobile,
not a pest-ship or modern reproduction of
the slave-ship, fastening death upon the
wretches confined therein, but transports
upon which they will not be crowded like
cattle, or starved, or neglected and. left
to did,
When our regiment has been safely con-
veyed to Montauk Point and when our sol
diers have regained health and strength
and return here to thar homes and to the
places of business and honor reserved for
them they viii receive a royal welcome.
which as an outward demonstration will be
the natural outgrowth and elimination of
the honor and regard shown in practical
shape by the community in every stage of
the regiments progress.
Though the period of unostentatious
honor must continue for some time yet,
and for weeks only our fever-stricken SOL
diers will be with us to be tenderly re-
ceived, it is not premature to begin to plan
for the formal welcome of that day when,
restored to health, the boys come march
ing home again.
The acting president of the District Com
missioners has appropriately called meet
ing to arrange for this demonstration, and
every one in the District will heartily unite
in welcoming suitably those, both officers
and men, of whom the city is justly proud,
and whom Washing tonians delight to