Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-22
For the Worcester Daily Spy.



| In behalf of a humble class of beings, (the
despised contraband,) the ladies of the slaves
relief society beg the attention and aid of
humane public. Perhaps these unfortunate
people are the greatest sufferers at present,
from this unnatural war. Wherever the army
can penetrate, the relation between master
and slave is dissolved and whether for good
or for evil. the proclamation of the president
makes the separation perpetual. This takes
| from them the supply for their daily wants
which is all that has ever been vouchsafed to
them for their labor. All must see, there
fore, that the transition state is one of ex-
treme hardship to the slave. Except to
"own themselves" as they express the idea
of freedom, they know little OF moth
ing of its blessings, and until they are
taught by experience, 'must lack that spir-
it of thrift and ready adaptation to new EN-
| ployment SO essential to success in free
community. A generation must pass before
| we can hope for more than a beginning in this
new development. Meantime, they must be
assisted or they will perish. No doubt the
administration, with its better means and SUI
perior knowledge will devise some scheme by
which the larger portion will be employed
Already many are made useful to the govern
ment, and others, under the charge of able su-
perintcndents, form selt-suStaining commune
ties on confscated plantations. Why not, if
by the same labor the master would have
grown rich? This, however, does not
meet the present emergency. The poor
creatures who pour in from the regions round
every battlefield, come as their owners leave
them, destitute of food and clothing. Had
they Caucasian skins, how freely should we
give. Here, the widows mite there. from
our abundance! Are they less Gods children
because of their sable hue? Do they suffer
less from hunger and sickness, from the wants
of old age and childhood, than other more
favored races? Let each of us ask ourselves
these questions, remembering, as we answer,
the words of our divine ''Inasmuch
as We do it to the least Of these We do it unto
me-"
We feel that Worcester county has not been
fairly represented in this good work. She has
always been true to the principles which have
now for the first time emanated from the gov
in cause she has SO long had at heart, but will
show herself willing to assume her share of
the labor and responsibility which SO impor-
tant an era brings. Will the ladies Of the
county, who are willing to cooperate with
US, form local associations and connect
themselves with us, either by membership or
through conlmitteeI In this way we can
ACT upon each other and more etfectually do
the work which humanity demands of us.
ANY articles of apparel fit for u servants
use, will be an acceptable donation. We will
extract from private letter the following
statement; "The articles most needed now
are warm bed clothing, no matter how much
worn, boys clothing, socks for men and bovs
. .,iu uhueL garments Tor all. Any
men, women and children, cannot come
amlss Any money placed in the hands of the
matrons will be wisely and carefully expend-
ed for the pressing need Of the sick, of whom
there are many"
Let each family send single article.
and let each member give trihng sum
counted even by cents-and the aggregate
may save many human being from suffer
ing. The treasurer, Mrs. Edward Earle will
joyfully receive your donation, either Of
clothing, bedding or money, and we shall all
welcome the assistance of such as may joir
us in our semi-monthly meetings Let US
hope that by the blessing of Heaven we may
enable some poor wretches, from whom the
manacles have recently fallen, to sing a song
OF JOY at their deliyerance from bondage.
We might tell you Of liberal al already
given to our enterprise and of its successful
application, but we leave that to our treasurer
and secretary, whose reports will be read al
our next meeting.
We might also account some of the thrill,
ing stories Of suffering and the grateful ex-
pressions when relief came. But it would
make this appeal too long, and only be re-
peating what each one ought to know. The
necessity for assistance must be apparent to
every thinking mind.
In b half Of the Slaves Relief Society,
Mrs. JoHN DAVIS.
! Worcester, Nov. 20, 1862.