Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-12-11
AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF THE
STATE OF INDIANA

AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF THE
STATE OF INDIANA.
Indiana has at this time nearly one
hundred thousand Of her sons In the
field. enduring the hardships and priva-
tons incident to the life of soldiers.
They have gone forth at the call Of
their country to defend with their lives
the Constitution and Government un-
der which we live. Thousands Of these
brave and patriotic men have left be-
hind them families, with temporary
provision only for their support. In
many cases these families, during the
approaching winter, will be in need OF
the ordinary comforts and neeessaries
of life, and destitute OF the means Of
procuring them. Many Of them are too
spirited 10 ask for assistance; others,
unless some system is adopted for their
relief, will not know where to apply.
The soldiers pay is often long delayed,
his own necessities require portion OF
it, and the remainder is frequently
greatly delayed in being transmitted to
his family. It requires no argument to
prove that, even il he sends all his
money home, one hundred and fifty six
dollars 3 year is very scanty support
for a family. especially at this season
of high prices. In many places busi-
ness of all kinds is so much prostrated
that those who can and are wiling to
labor are unable to find employment.
Everything bears high price and
everything is CASH.
The truth of what has been stated
must be apparent to evey one, and it
remains with the patriotic and liberal
citizens Of the State to apply the proper
remedy. 1t is their solemn duty to see
that the needy are cared for; that,
while the soldier is bravipg the perils
of the battlefield, bis wife and children
and all who are dependent on him are
made comfortable at home; and espe-
cially that bis children are provided
with books and afforded an opportunity
to attend school. This is not charity.
but sacred obligation, which should
be met promptly and willingly, and the
recipients should be made to feel that
they are not objects of charity. and
that what they receive is but the par
tisl discharge of a debt Of the most
binding character.
1t may be urged by many that they
have already given largely and sacri.
feed heavily for these benevolent OBJ.
jects. and hence that they ought te be
excused from further drafts. II may
be asked, in reply, what are these sac.
rifces compared with the sacrifices Of
families who have given their natural
supporters and protectors to the cause
of their country? What is the sacrifice
of the man living comfortably at home,
even though he give half his income, to
that Of the man who has left his family
and home and gone to the field?
The land is full of wealth, the har.
vest has been bountiful, and there car
be no reasonable excuse for allowing
the needy to suffer in country like
this.
l would therefore respectfully and
earnestly request, that in every town
ship, in every town, and in every wart
Of the several cities in the State, somt
systematic plan, by means Of regularly
organized COMMITTEES or auxiliary ait
societies. be at once adopted for relief
To Ministers of the Gospel l would
say: No nobler work than this can en-
gage the time you may have at you
disposal. Much can be done by ap
peals from the pulpit and by persona
efforts with the people; by visiting tn,
families OF soldiers, ascertaining theil
wants, and seeing that they are regu
larly supplied.
The Township Trustees in the seVera
counties, on account Of their familiarity
with local affairs, will be able to render
great assistance in the humane work, BY
giving a portion Of their time and efforts
10 the relief of the needy and destitute
In all measures of relief which MAJ
be adopted / most respectfully and con
6dently bespeak the hearty aid and CO
operation Of the noble women of In
diana. Actuated by the purest patriot
ism, and always foremost in deeds
love and mercy, they may here find an
extensive field for the exercise of many
kindly Offices to the advantage anC
comfort OF the distressed; their words o
encouragement will cheer the hearts o
the dropping and disconsolate, and theil
example will lead others to undertake
the same good work.
o. P MORTON,
Governor Of Indiana.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
i1- ,ncn