The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-05
Local Talk.
A CALLTO ARMS.

A CALL TO ARMS.
A lady signing herself Analysis" sends
in the following:
1t is wonderfully striking how in time Of
war the public mind 5 absorbed BY one in
terest; how the masses follow the pent OF
events and are stirred to activity and
heroic endeavor IN the same cause.
There is no longer a North and South.
Democrat and Republican, friend and foe.
unite on the same platform. There is one
password for Patriotism"
Those who carry arms and go out TO
fight the battles for home and country are
not the only warriors. however. From the
capitol at Washington down TO the news
stand Of the counry town. is standing
army equally engaged in the expedition
against the common enemy.
But now peace is declared; statesmen
ara engaged in settling final agreements
ad in making proper disposition Of the
conquered countries and of the countries
thrust upon US. Why then not return TO
our Penates? Home institutions, home
missions and home duties are lacking due
attention while We are 'necking'' into Ma
Mia affairs and criticising Cuban policies?
Too much tine IS yet taken Up by hero
worshiping, and there IS no end Of parad-
ing and banqueting Of the volunteers at
the expense Of the poor at home.
A sad incident which came under our
observation Lately may best illustrate the
situation. A poor woman over 70 years
Of age, weighed down by the iEfrmities of
Old age, fell On the roadside. She was
forsaken by her ten children; overlooked
ny her church; forgotten by her neighbors.
il IS the old story Of neglect. and the
old story Of the good Samaritan is repeat
ed The Samaritan came and carried her
20 his humble home; q corner was cur
tained off II the crowded family room, and
the patient was gently tucked in q neat
bed. All available attention is gwen her
but there is comfort wanting. The sun
cannot reach the closet OF the patient; the
fresh air has no access, and the quiet Is
disturbed by the prsttle Of the children.
Here then is a call 10 arms for home mis-
sionaries. Make room for the old and
the sick in a proper sphere. Open the
doors Of your benevolent institutions and
sick wards The elegantly furnished
rooms al the new hospital were certainly
not intended TO be kept waste relics or
barren monuments 70 the generosity of the
patrons. The best OF those vacant rooms
IS just good enough to shelter dear Old
grandmother
There are other cases Of distress. look
around you. Look around you. This is
4 severe winter; one cold wave chases
the other, and the storm-faE seems to
nod permanent sway over the court house.
Sickness and death has entered many
homes in our city, and widows and or
phans are IN want and despair. There IS
a scarcity OF work in many departments,
and hence scanty provisions in many fam
flies. Little chfIdre 90 to bed hungry and
are kept out Of schoo- for want Of warm
clothing. Then there are the homeless
and the friendless; ragged and hungry,
with frozen feet and frozen hands, with
dropping head and detected look. they
seem to turn Il pin numbers just where
the north wind sweeps around the street
corner in a fearful gale; and when the
evening twilight falls and gathers in the
shadows On the street they are stiH there
as ghosts. Here Il is where the messen-
ger Of benevOIence must do quick work to
save, for temptation IS lurking 10 drag
down to vice and crime the victims of
hunger and cold, and it is infinitely nobler
and cheaper to hunt NJ the unfortunate
ad put him under shelter these freezing
nights than It IS to hunt down the thief
and the criminal after he has broken out
az Jail Nota bene.
Keeping up a blazing fire IN the work
shops and factories, TO busy all hands that
want TO work, opening up almhOuses and
lodging houses, hanging out the latch
string for your needy neighbor. entertain
ing and burning the beacon fight of hos
pitahty for the benefit Of the stranger
within thy gate" these are all effectual
means and weapons with which 70 carry
on a successful winter campaign at home
n the cause OF humanity.