The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-07

There Is pathetic side 10 the soldiers
Homecoming that ali right minded people
should take seriously 10 heart, and IL is
the difficulty that may. and undoubtedly
will, confront him. when he seeks once
more the avenues of toll for his daily brea',
Salute him with joyous guns. feast MIN,
crown him with laursls. give the city over
10 enthusiasm because Of his splendid rec
ORD ard safe return. but This enthusiasm
will not always last, and what then? And
in all probability the what then is
vexing more than one OF the returned vol
urtee~S this day.
My memory runs back 70 the civil war. TO
the time when Ten, nerve3 with splendid
heroisul stood under the Stars and Stripes.
and swore 10 be loyal and 20 die II need
be with their face toward the foe.
All, me. those were great days. days
when the words q womans pen, sung
by the people, sent many 4 man 10 his
solemn covenant. ! can hear me song
Row:
In the beauty OF the lilies
Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His BISON
That transfigures you and me.
As he died 10 make men holy,
Let us die TO make them free,
Since God Is marching On.
Two classes We're prominent at the re-
cruiting booths The man willing TO sacri-
lIt man mat Aic sifou4tls Sul
Il was noticeable as the situation grew
more awesome and men faced the possebil
ity Of long and terrible war, that they
hesi,ated when they thought Of the loved
ones they must leave behind. and at thar
point II often happened that some rich
man would say, Your children shall
never want. My purse shall be open 70
them. the wolf shall never enter their door
and one memory not altogether pleasant is,
that they forgot.
The wolf sometimes showed his teeth Al
the window. but Mary stood at the tub or
used her needle and kept him from the
door and the war dragged on 10 Its close
and the men came home. manned. battle
SCARED and some remained where they
fought.
It's these memories that make ME sad IN
the midst Of the present festivities
One thing IS very true. that whoever
goes 10 war, De the term long or short
gives infinitely more than the value OF
the earnings OF the stay -at-homes during
the same period
II the soldier be young land It's notice
able that many Of the Washington Volun-
teers are Iads) he has given out or the
formative years Of his life, and the pro-
cesses of his soul life have undergone
such a shock and change that. he VIII
never be able to take up the thread or
life where he dropped It when the bugle
called him 10 his country's aid
II he be In middle life. he has given
from the years when most men are think
ing about the rainy day. and something to
steady him past the time when the step
IS no longer steady or the eye bright, and
when he returns TO the old ways he finds
that others are ahead Of him. and this is
the pathetic side Of his Homecoming.
This article viii be read by many an
old soldier who has tried for positions IN
life and failed, and not even the creden-
tails OF Libby prison or Andersonville or
Appomatt0x avail for him. The truth is.
the years given IN defense Of his country
have lefs their mark on him. He has los;
his grip.
In all this Pacific coast country there
Is no occupation that will not be bene-
fitted by the Philippine situation. The
veins of commerce thrive with new. rich
warm blood. every man in business is
debtor 10 the soldiers of this war. and be-
cause Of this debt there should be on the
part of all the stay-at-homes the brotheriy,
helping hand.
Doors should he opened wide, friendship
ana patriotism should stand hand In hand
to welcome these men. 20 help them. not
today only. hut all days. all years.
The next pathetic side of war IS the
hours Of waiting Of Manufacturing en-
dured by the women who stay behind
What stories or bravery couId De
written If we only knew all the courage
displayed by these stay-at-homes The
writer recalls how. IN the Cos, Mary said.
Take your gun and go. John;
Take your gun and go,
And III drive the oxen, John.
And I'll use the hoe"
Dreadful as was that war, !; was the
educator OF woman, showed her not only
the field OF labor. but her fitness 10 en-
ter It.
Sorrowful as Is this present war 20 those
who watch ana Weep, 81 has shown us
another side Of woman's life. and with
the heroism Of men. we have seen the
loving sacrifice Of gentle women, who
have given their money. their loyal ser
yict,, their own sweet selves 20 ease the
WEAKNESS OF hospital and smooth the path
Of the dying.
The returning soldier having given
some Of the best OF his years to his coun-
tTy's call. has every reason TO look care
fully where he walks. for these days OF
joilnC3tion are fraught with dangers, foe
IN the open. foes In the ambush. ami sum-
ming I; all up. life Is after all one cease
less battle bur at eyentims there So al
be rest and laurel wreaths for the vctors.
MARION II. BANTER.