The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-11-17
An Appeal TO the People Of the State
of Indiana.

or INDIANA.
Indiana has at this time nearly one
hundred thousand of her sons in the field
enduring the hardships and privations
incident to the life of soldiers. They
have gone forth at the call of their coun-
try to defend with their lives the Consti-
tuition and Government under which we
live Thousands of these brave and pa
triotic men have left behind them fami-
lies, with temporary provision only for
their support. In many cases these fam
lilies, during the approaching winter, will
be in need of the ordinary comforts and
necessaries of life, and destitute of the
means of procuring them: Many of
them are too spirited to ask for assist
ance-others, unless some system is
adopted for their relief, will not know
where to apply. The soldierss pay is
often delayed; his own necessities re-
quire portion of it, and the remainder
is frequently greatly delayed in being
transmitted to his family. 1t requires
no argument to prove that, even if he
sends all his money home, one hundred
and fifty-six dollars a year is n very
scanty support for family, especially at
this season of high prices. In many
places business of all kinds is so much
Frustrated that those who can and are
willing to labor are unable to find en-
ployment. Everything bears high price
and everything is cash.
The truth fwhat has beeu stated must
be apparent to every one, and it remains
with the patriotic and liberal citizens of
+ho Gfafn to tu ha DIV
is their solemn duty to see that the needy
are cared for, that, while the soldier
is Drawing the perils of the battlefield,
his wife and children and all who are de-
pendent on him are made comfortable at
home; and especially that his children
are provided with books and offered OPP
portunity to attend school. This is not
charity-but sacred obligation, which
should be met promptly, and willingly,
and the recipients should be made to
feel that they are not objects of charity,
and that what they receive is but the par
tial discharge of debt of the most bind
ing character
1t may be urged by many that they
have already given largely and sacri-
feed heavily for these benevolent OBJ
jeets, and hence that they ought to be
excused from further drafts. 1t may be
asked, in reply, what are these sacrifices
compared with the sacrifices of families
who have given their natural supporters
and protectors to the cause of their coun-
try? What is the sacrifice of the man
living comfortably at home, even though
he give half his income, to that of the
| he loft g,
and gone to the field
The land is full of wealth, the harvest
has been bountiful, and there can be no
reasonable excuse for allowing the needy
to suffer in a country like this.
/ would therefore respectfully and
earnestly request, that in every town
ship, in every town, and in every ward of
the several cities in the State, some sys-
tematic plan, by means of regularly or
gained committees or auxiliary Aid So
cieties, be at once adopted for relief
To Ministers of the Gospel l would
say, No nobler work than this can en-
gage the time you may have at your dis
posal." Much can be done by appeals
from the pulpit and by personal efforts
with the people; by visiting the families
of soldiers, ascertaining 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 assistance in the humane work, by
giving portion of their time and efforts
to the relief of the needy and destitute
In all measures of relief which may
be adopted most respectfully and con-
fdently bespeak the hearty aid and CO.
operation of the noble women ofIndiana
Actuated by the purest patriotism, and
always foremost in deeds of love and
mercy, they may here find an extensive
field for the exercise of many kindly Off
ces to the advantage and comfort of the
distressed; their words of encourage.
ment will cheer the hearts of the droOp.
ing and disconsolate, and their example
will lead others to undertake the same
good work. 0. P. MORTON,
Governor of Indiana.
: EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Indianapolis, Nov. IA, 1862
How the Army Received the News OF