There were returned soldiers present.

They had not hesitated at the call of duty to give all they had for their country.
They had been promised great things when they had left their homes, their families, their business and their jobs.

How had they found things upon their return?
He illustrated his argument from the cases of men present.

It was a sore spot with many of them and he pressed hard upon it.

They were suffering to-day; worse, their wives and children were suffering.