The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-11-08
For the Herald Of Freedom.
Home Correspondence.
LAwREscE. Nov. 4th, 1S5

=
ionsl IF each man realized his inn
mense responsibility as votey, with
the destinies of the many denied access
to the ballot-box. in his hand, 50 far
as each individual vote can decide
and one vote often casts the die-what
serious day this would be inevery part
of the land;
But it was not my purpose to "speak
to the question " of the day; the date
suggested it so Significantly that Icould
not forbear single word.
Yesterday, Ivisited the Committee
Room, and saw the clothing sent from
the benevolent, whose sympathies are
with us; to the needy and suffering
whose time and money have been de-
voted to the cause of Liberty. Itwas
sight to do one good. The fresh box
es had just been unpacked, and their
contents arranged in order upon the
shelves-ladies clothing at one end. a
g heap !" of hosiery stretching in a long
lime before tempting array of dresses,
de- And that great pile of gray faA-
mel strongly suggestive of winter, of
which the falling snow a, that moment
was giving us fair, brief specimen
| it looked SO comfortable, gentlemen
must have admired that. Of course
| did not handle the goods, having with
me no applicant. and it was by special
favor that was admitted behind the
counter, for the Committee seemed to
be taking an inventory. What and
how much was hidden mystery behind
and beneath the visible, / made no at
temptt to discover; but l saw comforters,
both for beds and necks, few nice
blankets, pieces of aagarmented made
a word, OF an application cloth, lit
tie stocking yarn, box of rubbers, both
for ladies and gentlemen. two boxes of
gentlemen's boots, shoes, DE.
OF course this enumeration does not
include ali. / was struck no less with
the good sense and iudicious thought-
fulness, than with the large and gener-
Gus sympathy, the cheerful and active
energy of the donors. And as appro-
priations for nearly the whole area of
need among us, came by way of Law
rence-the boxes and barrels now open
ed are not tithe of those already des-
tined to make their way to our town.
In conversation with Col. Eldridge,
| suggested to similar remark, earlier
made to me by his wife, that it must be
difficult knowing always who were OBJ
jects of real need-that people in the
distance might get the impression that
such liberal doHations were intendedfor
all who had Lost much in the good cause
irrespective of Immediate suffering, es-
pecially as no person who has not In
vestigated the matter can be at all aware
of the extent of actual and urgent want
among the settled population. He as
sufed me that Committee of fourteen,
if remember the number, were already
eanvassing the country with special ref
erenee to this Eability..as well as seek
ing out the destitute; land there are
those who need to be urged to apply, J
and that all who come from the regions
they explore, are expected to bring this
Committees endorsement, except they
chance, themselves, to be known in
town.
| have sometimes feared that-as ev-
erybody is SO bnsy-we do not suffi-
ciently express our gratitude for the
universal sympathy, the active beneyo-
lence that showers so many blessings
upon US. That we are grateful as a people
and especially thatthe actual recipients
of SO many favors would gladly send
back thanks 20 every benefact6r, there
is no doubt. ] trust the Committee
represent the people faithfully in this
respect.
As there are many Ladies Societies
Ilaboring for US, and as we have some
times heard of those who wished to cor
respond with ladies here, I shall be par
doned for making statement that may
facilitate an object SO desirable, and
give US an opportunity to acknowledge
our obligations to those to whom they
are due.
There had been for some time in the
Ladies Sewing Circle here's committee
Of two for the purpose of seeking out
the needy in our own vicinity. for what
benefit the society could give laboring in
our small way Having heard of goods
designed to be sent to ladies for their dis
sribation, at Q recent meeting Of the
circle twas thought best to enlarge this
committee for the purpose of distribu-
ting these packages, and charging the
sphere of their operations-investigat-
ing all cases before dispensing the mu-
nifcence of our friends. A Correspond
ing Secretary was also appointed to act
in connection with this committee. re-
ceiying and acknowledging IN the be-
half of the society, such favors as
are destined to pass through their hands,
and reporting interesting cases to the
donors, and attending to such otherdu
ties as belong to that Office. The com
Inittee consists Of FIVE ladies Mrs. Col