The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1862-01-31
To the People Of Wyandot County
FelIoU ciriseuS :

FeitOlC ctrtseHS:
When the murderous hand of the assas
sin was raised to strike death blow at the
heart of our beloved country, hundreds ol
your fellow citizens rushed forward to parry
off the blow, to shield, protect and defend
her, even al the peril of their hives. Those
noble patriots, have left home, kindred and
friends, and offered up their lives as sacri
flee on the altar OF their country. They have
torn themselves from the embraces of theii
wives, their little children, their old mothers
their decreplt fathers, all the endearnents
of home, and forsaken all these, that they
might secure, TO them and to us all, the
blessings Of a Government, the best, tie
frcest, and the most beneficent the world
has ever seen. Fellow citizens: when this
noble land of patriots left your county to
risk aud peril their lives, as well for youl
sakes as for their ow., what assurance did
you give them that, the wives of their
bosons, and their little children, should be
cared for in their absence! Do you re-
member the promises You made! Remem
Der, that their wives and babies are AS dear
to them as yours are to you. When you
enter Your own houses these cold winter
evenings and sit down before a warm and
cheerful fire, or to sumptuous meal, think
of your neighbors; the family of the person
who volunteered to defend your fire-side
while you thus enjoy it. If his wife OF
his little ones come to you and ask for as
sistance, don't say 'go to your mother, but
think of the promise you made the husband
and father before he enlisted in the service
Of. his country. We are now in the midst
of dreary winter. The dark cloud Of adyer
sity hangs over the fireside Of many Of these
families. The taxes imposed by to Commis
sioners have been exhausted. There is no
authority to make aliotherlevy. The com,
mittees appointed to distribute the reliet
fund, have no fund upon which to draw.
Yet there are very many of the families OF
volunteers who are absolutely In destitute
circumstances,an and unless their wants are re-
Ileved and that immediately they must sut-
FIR. Fellow citizens will you allow the
wives and children of the brave men
who are fighting your battles, who are risk
ing their lives in your defense, to suffer tor
the want of the common necessarles OF lie.
W trust not. We think it is only neces-
#sary to call your attention to this matter to
wake you up to your duty in the premises.
They must hot be allowed to suffer for food,
fuel or clothing. Make them comfortable
make them happy if possible. Act; act
promptly. Two OF three days at time
without food (for themselves Or their cows, J
in dead of winter is too long. Visit them
and see if they are in need. We talk plain
ly for the reason that having been on the
relief committee we know that the people
generally do not fully realize or appreciate
the condition that many Of these families are
in. They look to you for aid, shall they
look in vain? Do not let it be said OF the
people Of Wyandot County that they allow
the wives and children of soldiers to suffer,
or even to want. We hope and trust you will
heed this call. Who can inaugurate some
system whereby relief can be afforded to a
better advantage than by waiting for one
another? Something mast be done. -
Respectfully submitted,
ia iES H. FREET,
t+a ~. CURTIS BERRY, Jr.