Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1862-11-28
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 hard
ships and prlvationS incident to
the lives OF soldiers. They have
gone forth at the call of their
country to defend with their lives
the Constitution and Government
under which we live. Thous
ands of these brave and patriotic
men have left behind them fam
lies, with temporary provisions
only for their support. la many
cases these families, during the
approaching winter, will be in
need of the ordinary comforts
and necesaries of life, and desti-
tute OF the means of procuring
them Many Of them are too
spirited to ask for assistance
others, unless some system is a.
dopted for their relief, will not
know where to apply. The sol
dier's pay is often long delayed
his own necessities require a por-
ton of it, and the remainder is
frequently greatly delayed in be-
ing transmitted to his family. L
requires no argument to prove
that, even ii he sends all his
money home, one hundred and
fiity-siX dollars 4 year IS a very
scanty support fora family, es-
peclally as this season Of high
prices. I'm many places bust
ness OF all kinds is Somuch pros
trated that those VINO can and are
willing TO labor are unable to
find employment. Everything
hears high price and everything
is cash.
The truth of what has been
stated must be apparent to every
one, and it remains with the pa
triotic and liberal citizens Of the
State to apply the proper rene
dy-lt is their solemn duty to see
that the needy are cared for, that
while the soldier is Drawing the
/ perlls ofthe battle field, his wife
and children and all who are de-
pendant on him are made com
Portable at home; and especially
that his children are provided
with books and afforded opportu-
mites TO attend schooI.-This is
not charity, bat a sacred obliga-
ton, which should be made
promptly, and the recipients
should be made to feel that they
are not objects oil charity, and that
what they receive is but the par
tial discharge of debt OF the
most binding character.
1t may be urged by many that
thev have already given largely
and saciiiiced heavily for these
benevolent objects, and hence
that they ough. to be excused
from fu0er drafts. 1t may be
asked in reply, what are these
sacrifices In comparison with the
sacrifices of families who have
given their natural supporters
and protectors to the cause of
their country? What is the sac
rifice Of the man living comfort
ably at home, even though he
gave half his income, to that of
the man who has lett his family
and home and gone to the field?
The land is iull of wealth, the
harvest has been bountiful, and
there can be no reasonable Ex-
cuse for allowing the needy to
suffer in country like this.
would therefore respectfully
and earnestly request, that in ev-
cry township, in every town, and
in every ward OF the several cit
les in the state, some systematic
plan, by means ofregularly organ
lied committees, or auxiliary
Aid Societies, be at once adopt
ed for relief.
To ministers of the gospel |
would say-no nobler work than
this can engage the time you may
have at your disposal. Much
can be done by appeals from the
pull pit and by visiting the fami-
lies of soldiers, ascertalning their
wants, and seeing that they are
regularly supplied.
The township trustees in the
several counties, on account of
their familiarity with local affairs,
will be able to render great as
s.stance In the humane work, by
giving a portion oftheir time and