The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-11-09
To the Loya! Women of America
4 FVF'-k's = " II ~ IT'D FtN II
WASHINGTON, Oct. |, 1861,

IOhW' yWOWeh.- on are Called upon to
help take care of our sick and wounded
soldiers and sailors.
1t is true that Government undertakes
their care, but all experience, in every other
country Us well as our own, shows that
Government alone cannot completely pro-
vide for the humane treatment OF those for
whom the duty OF providing, as well as pos
siblc, is acknowledged. Even at the period
Of the war, and with IA much smaller proper.
ton Of sick and wounded than is to be ex-
pected, there is much suffering, and dear
lives are daily lost because Government
cannot put the right thing, in the right
place, at the right time. No other Gov
crnment has ever provided as well for
its soldiers, so soon after the breaking
out of a war of this magnitude, and yet it
remains true that there is much suffering,
and that death unnecessarily occurs from
the impertcctncSs Of the Government ar.
rangements. This is partly owing to the
ignorance, partly to the Incidence, and
partly to the inhumanity and knavcrv OF
various agents Of Governments as well Us Ia
the organic defects of the system. But
humanity to the sick must, to certain
extent, be sacrificed, under Government,
the purpose OF securing tire utmost pos
sble strength and efficiency to the military
force.
Whatever is to be given from without
must still be administered Systematically,
and in perfect subordination to the general
system of administration of the Government.
70 hold its agents in any degree responsible
for the duties with which they are charged,
Government must protect them from til,
interference of irresponsible persons.
Hence, an intermediate agency becomes
necessary, which, without taking any of tn,
duties of the regular agents of government
out OF their hands, can, nevertheless, ottcl
to them means OF administering to the wants
of the sick aud wounded much beyond what
could be obtained within the arbitrary
limits of supply established by government,
and in strict accordance with the regulations
necessary for maintaining a proper account
ability to it.
The Sanitary Commission, and unpaid
bureau of the War Department of the Gov.
ernment, constitutes such an agency.
Under its present organization, every
camp and military hospital from the Allan.
tic to the Plains, il, regularly visited, its
wants aScertaincd, and whenever it is right
proper, and broadly mercltul supplied direct
iv by the Commission to the extent of its
ability. For the means of maintaining this
organization. and OF exercising, through it,
a direct influence upon the olliceS and men
tavorably to a prudent guard against the
dangers of disease to which they are subject
which is its first and principal object, the
Commission is wholly dependent upon vol
untary contributions to its treasury. For
the means OF administering to the needs Of
the sick and wounded, the Commission relies
upon git.olferings of their own handiworE
from the loyal women of the land. 1t recei
YES not one dollar from Governments:
A large proportion Of the gifts of the peo
pie to the army hitherto have been wasted
or worse than wasted, because directed with
out knowledge or discrimination. 1t is only
through the Commission that such gifts cal
reach the army with Il reasonable assurance
that they will be received where they will
do the most good and the least harm.
The Sanitary Commission has established
its right to claim the confidence of The
nation. The Secretary of War and Major
General Mcclellan have both recently
acknowledged, in the warmest terms, tn,
advantages which have already resulted from
its labors, and the discretion and skill with
which they have been directed. Its advice
has been freely taken, and, in several impor
tant particulars, acted upon, tavorably tt
the health Of the army, by the Government
There has scarcely been a company of vol
unlCerS Ill Tie lcIu. VIII Regard 10 WHICH
some special defect, error, or negligence
endangering health has not been pointeC
out by its agents, and it's removal or abate
ment effected. There has not been single
! instance in which its services or advice
offered through all its various agencies, have
| been repulscd not Il single complaint ha!
been received Of its embarrassing any officer
| in his duty, or gifts interfering with disci
| pline in the slightest degree. Its labors have
to this time, been chiefly directed to induce
precautions against certain class of dis
eases which have scourged almost ever,
| modern European army, which decmateC
our army in Mexico and which, at one time
rendered nearly half Of enc Of our armies il
the War of 1872 unfit for service. 1t is
ground for national gratitude that our presen
armies have passed through the most trying
season of the year wonderfully escaping thi
danger. That there are grander causes 70
this than the labors of the Commission
cannot be doubted. but that, among human
agencies, large share OF credit for it shout
be given to those labors, it is neither AFRO
CANT nor unreasonable to assert. In thi
assurance, what contribution that has hith
erto been made to the treasury or the stor
of the Commission is not received back agai
ten fold in value?
more lHaH Sixty thousand urlcleS nav
been received by the Commission from thei
patriotic countrywomen. 1t is not know
that one sent to them has failed to reach it
destination, nor has one been received tina
cannot be accounted for. 1t is contidentl
believed that there has not been of late
single case of serious illness in the army o
the Potomac, nor wherever the organization
of the Commission has been complete
extended, in which some of ,hese tr &
| haze not administered t. the relief of suiel
ing.
The experience of the Commission has 81
well acquainted it with the earnest desire o
the women of the North to be allowed tt
work in the National cause, that it is deemed
unnecessary to do more than announce tina
there is real and immediate occasion TO
their best exertions, and to indicate eonve
nent arrangements for the end in view.
1t is therefore, suggested that societies b
at once formed in every neighbor hood wher
they are not already established, and tina
existing sociies Of suitable organization, a
Dorcas Societies, Sewing Societies, Readin
Clubs, and Sociables, devote themselves