The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-07-16
For the Richmond Dispatch.)
Provision for the Orphans Of Soldiers.

WYTHBvILLK, VA July Ii, 1861.
Editors Of the Experimentation con.
slider il a sacred cuty Incumbent upon the peo-
pie of Virginia, TO make provision for all chill
dren Of officers and soldiers who may die
i'll the military service, whether from disease
or the casuslties OF battle, and who may leave
their children in dependent or destitute con-
dition. / ano " that many ga liant men IN our
army feel extreme uneasiness and anxiety
upon this sutject; and. while they will not
hesitate TO perform their duty, be the conse-
quencea what they may, yet ii will be TO them
source OF almos Uncomfortable relief 10 know
that their children will net be permitted TO
snfter because their parents may have sacri-
nc ID their lives in the defence OF their coun-
try. j am we'll aware, indeed, that some good
and brave men have even been restrained from
entering the service, because their children
will be left in destitution in case Of fatal mis-
fortune TO themselves.
If spared u take nv seat in the mex / Gseue-
raj Assembly Of Virginia, il is nv purpose to
introduce into that body and, if possible, to
SECURE the adoption Gf a measure Of such char
acter as will provide the means of decent
maintenance, and al least the rudiments OF An
education fer every child OF Virgins officer
and soldier who may die III the service, and
leave his family without provision. 1t would
cor sumo too much time and space TO enter
into me details OF the plan. 1t is sufficient TO
say that would cause the Commissioners Of
the Revenue to make out lists Of all tie mar
ried men who nave en- tered the service from
their respective districts, together with tbs
that in case of the dea tn Of any Of these men
no matter what their rank, whose children
should be lett without means of support, and
without relatives or friends, able and willing
10 maintain therl, !hat duty should be as
sumed by the public. This relief should BE-
administered III spch manner and under such
regulations "a the Legislature, il It's wisdom
may deem eAredient; aud do not think there
will be much di tiieGity in ,iayisi.g an efficient
mode Of action.
Many of our county courts have, in a spirit
OF wise lib raiity, taken action which looks
to this matter, and do not propose u inter-
fsle in the slightest degree with such action.
All honor and thanks to the kindly and gene
rous men who have made such movements.
Bnt there are many instances in which the
courts wonid not act, and moreover Ii would
be very unfair to cast the whole burden on
them. Many counties have furnished far
more men than Others F; some, unfortunately.
have contributed few or none, and it would be
grossly unjust TO throw upon the more active
and for Hard counties tho burden Of support
ing oil the orphans who may be found in their
limits, and the number Of whom be Increased
by the very fact mat those eou II ties have bee
most prompt in sustaining the general cause.
The Commonwealth OF Virginia ough. to as.
sumo part a. least, IL not the whole OF the
burden. Every soldiers orphan ought 10 be
made = child Of Virgiriah
Holding the double position Of member OF
the Legislature and an humble rank among
the defenders OF our rights and liberties, It
$3.50 .-Se Ai"RPAoytaotc tNdL ! eIouIu en-
deavor TO Initiate this NOV smsnt and in nv
situation hope may be pardoned for max
ing my intention known in advance. 1t is not
UNLIKELY that may be prs ven tad from carry.
ing my purpose IN to execution but in such
an event, the object having been made pub.
iic, some more Wise and experienced legislator
will SEE that IL - not neglected.
he iesiiik that knowledge Of the fact that
an en1rt will bs made. at least, to secure such
provision as Is above Indicated, will aforti
encouragement and comfort to thoussnds of
brave men. as we'll IS those already Engaged
Ia the service a. those who are thinning Of an .
terins y, l hope that the editors Of al, news.
papers IN Virginia will copy this co,nm Mica
ton also req uest all officers and ,aIdiers al
me virginia forces, who may chance 10 zee
tnis notr, 10 give II rs much cirouia tior as
possible among the troops. Respectfully,
Wa. II. Coox.