The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1905-11-05


w0RD FOE THE VETERANS.
The Advertiser takes this opportuni-
ty of saying a word for the Soldiers
Home at Mountain Creek. and we want
1t understood that we do so of our own
motion. mo complaint has been made
to us, 40 suggestions offered and no
desire expressed by any one that we
should aliude to the subject We do
so because we think II right and prop
or to speak out.
We hope there Ii no Albanian who
does not entertain the kindliest and
warmest OF feelings for the confeder-
ate veterans. On every side they are
dropping on like the leaves in autumn
and soon there win be none left to
represent the glorious cause so dear to
Southern hearts. and to keep in mind
the spleudid courage and devotion
shown by the sons of the Southland IN
the days that tried the courage ana
endurance OF men in way that has
seldom been eaualied.
In most cases these veterans are aoie
to care for themselves without help
from others, but some are not so Tor
tunate. Some are practically helpless
In their old age. Those who helped
them as they journeyed down the years
Of declining life are no longer able to
do SO, or have gone hence, leaving the
veterans to their fate or to others to
care for them. Many of them are no
longer able to support themselves. The
combined effects of old age, of disab-
ling wounds and of disease renders
them helpless in their latter years, and
to them the helping hand must be ex-
tended.
The splendid generosity, the untiring
efforts and devotion of Colonel J. M.
Falkner cannot be too highly COM
mended. In the conception and build
ing up. of a place Of rest for his less
fortunate comrades he has builded
monument which will outIast him and
those for whom he has worked SO un-
tiringly. He has done more than could
Nave been expected of one man and has
borne a load too heavy for one mans
shoulders,
The State, too, has come to the help
of her own. and has added to the fund
necessary to keep UP the Home. but all
that Colonel Falkner has done, and
what the State has done is not enough.
There are now about sixty-five old vet
Grams at the Home. Practically none
of them is self-supporting. They are
wholly, or almost so, dependent on 9TH
ers. The amount available for their
support is not suficient to keep them
in comfort They do not have all that
is necessary for their well being, nor
all they deserve from Alabamians.
This Ought not to be So As gen.
eral thing the people of this great
State are prosperous, and when the
| matter is brought to their attention
they can and will do their duty. 1t
would be a serious reflection and an
actual shame to Alabama and to Ala
bamians If one of these old veterans
| should ever lack for the real comforts
and necessaries of life in their closing
years. The debt Of gratitude which all
| true Alabamians owe to these defend
ers of the right can never be paid in
money! Uuk ilUNCy Caht fAf%RN hhS4A ~
cIiping years comfortable.
How shall these old veterans be as
sisted? without presuning to dictate
The Advertiser would suggest that the
various Confederate organizations. the
Sons and the Daughters of the Confed-
eracy can do much. Especially do we
commend this sacred object to the va
rious u. d. C. Chapters throughout
the State. The good women OF Ala
bama never fail when they have
worthy object before them. and this is
one that must appeal to them with re-
sistless force. They can devise means
to assist in the support of the home as
no others can. VIII they do it?
The Advertiser must not be under
stood as charging that any of the old
soldiers are suffering for the necessa-
ries of life, for that is not fact They
will not be allowed to suffer, but much
might be done for their comfort and
welfare that the State and the funds
at hand cannot supply. Thanksgiving
will soon be here. and Christmas is not
lar off. Will not these occasions of
enjoyment and thankfulness be good
time to think of the brave old heroes
OF the Confederacy and let them feel
that they are not forgotten? We APP
peal to the noble women of Alabama
to think and act in time. They cannot
perform a more commendable service
to their fellow-beings than to help the
veterans.
We call attention to an article on
this page from The Macon (Ga.) Tele-
graph as to Alabama's poll tax. That
article is not correct in one particu-