The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-01-31


I'VE publish below an extract from an
essay read before the Ladies' Soldiers Aid
Society of Claridon, by its Secretary. wo
have not room for the entire essay, which
is replete with patriotic sentiments; but
the portion published q the most important,
inasmuch as IL answers tho question what
can woman do in this hour OF our country s
peril j
We, az a people. have always enjoyed the
rights and privileges Of FREQ country, and
now to be deprived of those would he the
greatest curse that could fall on mankind.
What are friends or kindred in compa rison
to this Hoaven-sent gift fIoavon intended
that home should DO a cherished place, and
man would be untrue to all tho high and
noble instincts of nature. II il were not so.
The love for home and kindred is The last
passion that grows cold in the human breast.
Even the savages--desd to sympathy as are
their hearts for the white man-chcrIsh an
almost idolatrous reverence for their
hunting grounds and the graves of their
forefathers.
But. as near as homo and friends arc to
our hearts, it should be our country first.
and q free country. Without this We are a
lost nation. W. should be deprived of our
free schools. from WHICH so many have
gained an education which has raised them
from the lowest grades Of ssciety, and
placed them upon the list of the grea est
heroes of the present day, We should also
be deprived Of our FREQ institutions, which
are SO we'll adapted to tho comforts Of the
poor aud unfortunate in lfo. 1t is not in
the power OF pen to portray tho evil con.
sequences which would naturally follow the
dissolution Of our once happy Union.
Now, while our friends go forth to endure
tho hardships and privations of soldier s
life. and many, sick and wounded, are Ian
gushing on beds of pain, with parohed lips
and feverish brows, with no friend near 10
sooth them in their Affections, strangers
administer to their wants, and, if the grim
monster Death claims tbcm for his own,
their eyes are closed by strangers hands
While our friends are enduring all this, we,
the ladies, have work to do. We may not
be called to go forth in battle array to Gght
in our couDtry's cause, yet we have work
Of almost equal importance to perform
We can raise our voices with one accord to
Him who is mighty to save. implorng divine
aid, in this our time of greatest need. and,
although FAR away from the scene of action.
wo can work around our own firesides in
unison with those on the battle. field. There
arc many things which we can do to alleviate
tho sufferings of tho sick and wounded, and,
if We do these, we shall be fully repaid for
the sacrifices which we shall make, We
may not receive our pay in dollars aud
cents, but we shall have clear conscience
in knowing that wo have done our duty
and the many prayers which will ascend to
the Throne Of Grace, in our behalf, from
the recipients Of our generosity, will amply
repay us for oil our labor.
Lot us all strive to be worthy of that rich
inheritance Of patriotism which our mothers
and grandmothers gained in their day, and
have left as a sacred relic to their daue hters
Many mother has sacrificed her son on the
altar of Freedom. Many wife has bado
her husband 20 forth and fight in the de
fente of his country. Many q sistor has
imprinted kiss, for the last time, on the
brow of u loved brother. But, hard as it is
10 bid our friends 60 forth to almost certain
death, would it not be still harder for US to
bid them stay while our country lies bleeding
at every vein ? May tho next generation
havo as mach reason 20 DO proud of us as
we have of our ancestors! A. c.