, 1862-12-17


+. Impellcd hy The most Urgent necessity the
Sanitary Commission desires to make an earn
est appeal to the people Of the Northwest. =
There arc now in military hospitals over
one hundred Thousand sick and wounded sol
diers, and every slirnlish and long march adds
great battles which must greatly multiply the
suffering and destitution. But, notwithstand-
ing The greatly increased demand which these
circumstances have made on the Sanitary
Commission, we regret to state that there hats
been s. larnentab1e FILLING off in the contri-
button of sanitary stores. There seems to
be tagging Of public sympathy, and
partial rvmission Of the praise-Horthv
efforts, which have heretofore 1ninistered SO
nobly to the sick and wounded Of oar hospi-
tails. So completely exhausted are the means
Of the commission at inc present time, that
unless extraordinary efforts are promptly put
forth for the rcplenishing Of its empty store
house and treasury, cur brave Western troops
who 8rc doing go large share Of the march
ing ard fighting, must suffer felrfnlly- Men
and women If the Northwest, shall these
things be? Shall NC not have Immediately
the activity and contributions Of every family,
hamlet, village, church, and conalnunity9
Our reliance is upon you, to whose nunid-
ccnce VIC hare never appealed in vain.
It is the wish Of the Sanitary Commission
every Town Of the Northwest, where they do
not exist, and that those already organized be
stimulated to the greatest activity Of which
they are capable. We hope soon to make IN
appeal through every pulpit and every press
Of our country, to which it is hoped every
man and woman will generously respond.
The ladies Of Ottawa, the shire town Of Id
Sale county, in this State, arc doing q noble
work, worthy of imitation. They have organ
izcd societies in every town Of the county,
Which work harmoniously with and are tribu-
tary to the parent society at Ottawa, from
NJ
the Commission. If In cyery county town Of
the Northwest similar work were underta-
ken. there would be steady flow Of supplies
for the hospitals, whicl, n1nst continue as
long rs the war continues, if we would do onr
duty By the brave men who have gone forth
to fight the battles Of our country.
The Commission pledges anew the utmost
care in the disbursement Of everything COM
nlitted to it's trust, and is prepared to give in
creased attention to the wants Of our sick and
suffering soldiers: The noisy reports in cir,
supplies, the stealing by hospital surgeons
| and stewards, cannot be fully credited So
| far as the supplies forwarded By the Sanitary
! Commission are concerned, it denies their
truth utterly, where its own agents are con-
ccrned.
The hospital donations Of the Northwest
have been largely sent through other channels
than the Conlmlsslon-1nd we regret to state
that in too many instances these. have filled
|
The reason is obvious. The Sanitary Commis-
sion Is protected and assisted BY Government,
SO that it can cover with its work the whole
! field Of WET, md its agents, who arc charged
with the distribution Of its supplies, as well
as the equally important work Of inspection,
are passed anywhere within the lines of The
army, wherever it is necessary to dispense
| supplies. To agents, outside Of the Coulmis
sion, such permission is rarely granted, and
when they reach Tie army lines, they can 60
no further. Ifthe supplies are at that poin,
left with unauthorized parties, as they are apt
to be, they will probably be lost. The Com
mission vigilantly watches the goods placed
in its care, until they reach the soldier need.
| ing them. In their distribution, they hare nc
preference Of State, arm or rank, army and
nayy, volunteer or regular.
Under these circumstances they appeal II
the people Of the Northwest to aid them il
. their work. Sanitary stores and money arr
needed in large quantities, and needed noso.
Shall they be forthcoming? ahnn our brave
men suffer and die in hospitals for the com
| forts we can give them, while we daily idly n
home, IN the lap Of luxury, leaving them IN
: Tie rooms Of the Sanitary Commission ar,
f open at all hours, and suitable persons vii
| always be present, especially during tile mex
two weeks, to receive the donations which i
is hoped may be made by the generous peopl
Il Will the exchanges Of the TRIBUNE, both /,
s epesa sas country please M1Sr Msegy tRe FOREGOING
Prs't Chicago Sanitary Com.
4. n. B117cHFoRD, secy,
*+Money IL Indispensable for the purchase Of col
like articles, never contributed in large quantities
aaa %ntsn y ants a5e S r
It ndha epe aSs OF he b S
caED, the payment Of draya.e which ID mn fncn,