The National tribune., 1903-04-23

found short of powerful Organiza tons
like the Christian and Sanitary Com
missions. with their immense sums of
money, enormous stores of supplies and
active, competent ard devoted workers
could supply the need. Miss Dix applied
herself unremittingly to the task assigned
her. and during the four long years of the
war she never took days furlough
| Untiringiy did she remain at her post or
ganzing bands of nurses, forwarding sup
plies, inspecting hospitals. and in many Il
case of neglect or abuse making her name
tand presence salutary terror. BY her
rigid ideas of honesty, and faithful dis
charge Of duty, and insistence on proper
administration, she excited; opposition
! from many Surgeons and even nurses.
She had, however. the sturdy and untirins
support of the Secretary OF War, Mr..
Stanton. Unpopularity reaped in doing
duty at all risks was a commentator in
his eyes rather than reproach.
so HIGH WAS THE SENSE
of the country's Indebtedness to, this wo-
man who had been first on the ground and
last to quit the post of duty, that at the
close of the war she was asked in what
shape it would be most agreeable to her
to have her services officially recognized.
A great public meeting presided over
by the highest officials or vote of money
from Congress were proposed. These she
absolutely declined, and to the query
What then would you like?" responded:
| ''The flags of my country"
y beautiful pair of National colors were
specially made by the Government and
sent to her.
In acknowledging : this gift, Miss Dix
said: NO more precious gift could have
been bestowed and no possession will be
so priced while life remains to love and
serve my country"
1t is impossible to describe the labors of
the Government and Of individuals for
the contrabands or Freedmen, which in
cluded physical relief, temporary homes
and schools, and religious instruction.
THE CHAPLAINs' ASSOCIATION.
There were in the army which assem-
bled in Washington many devoted, intel
ligent Chaplains, and these formed a
and cooperated with the Young Mems
Christian Association workers in Wash
ingtOn.
In 1861 no Chaplains had been provided
for hospitals. Two wealthy ladies of
New York, the Misses Woolsey, residing
in Washington. offered to pay the salary
of Chaplain for the hospitals in A,exan-
dria, Va. They did this, and also used
their private carriage to carry stores to
the hospitals.
AS many church buildings were occu-
pied as Government hospitals, the men,
bers of these churches made special efforts
to relieve the suffering within their reach.
and these labOrs were unrecorded and yet
formed a great aggregate which, with
those of members of the Masonic frater-
nifty, Odd Fellows, and similar organiza-
TOPS. should be taken into account in de-
scribing the charities of the citizens of
Washington.
Special mention must be made of Walt
Whitman. whose noble work is so well
known to the soldiers. .,.-. $3.50.
The citizens of Washington contributed
literally to those benevolent and patriotic
organizations, and in every way aided in
the relief of the sick and wounded and the
cheer and comfort of the afflicted.
This brief sketch of the work viii, it is
hoped, be accepted as a faint tribute to
the labors of the noble men and women
whose services, though not rendered on
the battlefield as combatants, were truly
Soldiers of the Cross and carried conso-
lation and succor. hope, and loving minis
tratiOn to the Grand Army Of the Re
public.
TO be continued.)