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Such are the arguments adduced in behalf of, and against State support of Military Asylums. Both sides press their claims with equal urgency -- both sides equally desire the greatest good to the greatest number. And, while holding ourselves aloof from the expression of any preference, we still feel compelled to say that the majority of those consulted (and they include gentlemen of all shades of political opinion) are agreed, under the aspect of justice to the whole country, in recognizing the superior advantage of State over Federal support for this class of institutions.

But should the government and support of such institutions pass under the control of the several States within whose borders they are situated, it might be advisable that the still national character of the Asylums should be represented through its board of overseers or directors. In every State there might be one Central Board, consisting of the --

Governor, ex-officio,

Attorney-General,

Comptroller,

Chief Justice of its Superior Court,

District Judge of the United States,

Attorney

Sub-Treasurer

Or, there might be a special board appointed, consisting of nonofficial persons, who, without salary or perquisites of any kind attaching themselves to their office, should direct the affairs of the institution. It is too generally found that persons called upon to perform, in addition to regularly appointed official duties, others, virtute officii, are apt to neglect these latter, and to surrender their direction into inferior hands; besides which, it does not follow that, because an individual holds a high official position, he is necessarily qualified to give the best advice in relation to matters of a special character. The wheel of political fortune too often elevates into positions of trust, those whose qualifications least fit them for the discharge of their duties. To ascribe wisdom to such characters, ex officio, is to mistake a mannikin for a man, simply from the incident of resemblance in form. It would be better, on all accounts, therefore, to select a board of directors for these Asylums from among educated, discreet, and honorable laymen, who, serving from choice, and not ex officio, for the honor of the duty instead of the emoluments flowing out of its discharge, would keep the government of the institution free from all imputations of a mercenary character.

ORPHANS OF INVALIDS.

It might be desirable, also, in this connection, to inquire in what way the orphans of soldiers could best be provided for. This class of beneficiaries has too many claims upon our sympathy not to receive an early and earnest attention, and everything should be done to guard them against the misfortunes liable to ensue from the loss of their natural protector. Attached to Military Asylums or Lodges, and forming part of them, there might be homes and schools for children, where they could be cared for during their minority. Like many of the industrial schools already established throughout the country, these institutions might impart instruction, not only in letters, but also in most of the manual arts. Children could thus serve an apprenticeship at a trade, and receive the rudiments of a good, sound education, at the same time. The larger inmates, say after sixteen years of age, should be discharged, as soon as competent to earn their living, in this way steadily diminishing the numbers to be supported. Only the infirm, or idiotic, should remain permanent residents of the Home, it being but just that they should be maintained through life, precisely as their father would have been had he become an inmate of the Asylum. Widows unable to support their children upon the father's pension, should be allowed to place them in the Home on surrendering one-half their pension. Invalid soldiers, inmates of Asylums, who are widowers with children, should, in like manner, be allowed the privilege of placing them in a Home. But if able to earn anything, the invalid should be compelled to pay a minimum price for the support of his children, on the principle that, in supporting him, the State has done her full duty of grateful return for services received. Any invalid at all able to work, could afford to pay from fifty cents a week upwards, for a child's board, and where he had over four to support, no additional charge should be made for any beyond this number. The object in view should be that of keeping alive parental concern for the welfare of offspring, a feeling too apt to become extinguished by removing the burthen and responsibility of their support from off the shoulders of those on whom it should always rest. Indeed, much of the stimulus to labor would be destroyed by withdrawing this incentive, wherever it exists, from invalids. A man who takes no pride in supporting his own children has already lost a large part of his self-respect.

As to the mode of distributing the burthen of supporting Military Asylums among the different counties or towns of a State, this would be a matter for the determination of its own legislature. It would seem just that those towns sending most inmates to the Asylums should contribute most to their support. But whether the tax should be based upon such a foundation as that, or not, is a question of subordinate importance, and not properly to be discussed in this connection.