The Portland daily press., 1862-11-07
To the People of Maine.

Alta period when the most urgent necessity
summons every aid to the preservatin of ma
tional existence, action is imperatively de-
handed.
The business of this war upon Rebellion is
to save and strengthen ourselves, as well as to
destroy or vanquish the enemy. Operations
in the lield on a scale of surprising magni-
tude, are liable to obscure the necessities of
the Hospital, which, however, keep alarming
pace with the progress of this terrible struggle
Suffering again appeals to us. and demands
that our neighbors, (citizeh soldiers') prostra-
ted in battle or by disease, shall receive more
substantial evidence Of our sympathy While
the Administration fulfs its part in affairs, il
cannot look into an inflnitude of particulars.
and apply the needed care hence phlantbro-
Ply and private bounty are left to their appro-
pirate Municipalities which prompt attention
TO the humblest soldier, searching out and at
tending to his wants.
OF The twenty-nine (29) regiments of our
State, at the present time in the field the
greater part are in the army OF Virginia. and i'm
the vicinity of Washington. Here are brought
the wounded and the disabled OF the late bat
ties and the sick each day are brought from
Maine regiments to the Hospitals at Washing
ton.
The "Maine Soldiers Relief Association
composed of citizens of Maine residing in
Washington, has already achieved eminent
usefulness in alternating distress, exposing
and correcting abuses, and by cooperating
generally with all humane enterprises for the
relief of sick and wounded men in the service.
Hospitals are daily visited; their management
scrutinzed and reported; the name, rank,
command, and condition of each patient as
certained and registered
The members of the Association have ex-
pended largely of their means to promote
these benefcent ends, and they will continue,
cheerfully and religiously, to execute the trust
devolved upon them; but they must be aided
and sustained by the people of Maine. 1t is
your generous patriotism that must replenish
the funds which enable human agency, under
Providence, to save many a valuable life.
Therefore, in behalf of our country, our reli-
gion, our liberty, our neighbors, and humanity,
we appeal to every citizen of Maine to take
this matter personally in hand, that all may be
instrumental in alternating the suiferings of
those who have gone out from among us to
vindicate the works of our fathers.
1t need not be said that where hsrdshps and
death most abounded there the gallant voun-
teers of Maine have been Of the ioremost-ev-
er answering to the roll-call of danger: hence
let not their sutferings invoke our humanity in
vain. The ties of neighborhood, kindred, and
human nature, unite to bind upon us the high
obligation to care for and cherish the devoted
men who "do and dare" for the country; who
at vast expense of treasure, and infinite sacri-
flee to present interests and tender affections
OF family, have gone forth for us to battle
with the rebellion. Be it our part to sustain
their hands while they strive with the enemies
of the Republic, and so maintain the intergri-
ty and invincibilty of our armies.
The Sanitary Commission is doing marvel
Gus work, and should be amply sustained by
every patriot, Christian, and philanthropist.
Its labors of love are as broad rs the Republic
and as universal as light But, when ii is pos
sible, soldiers from Maine wish to be visited by
persons and contributions from Maine il makes
them cheerful and happy. Contributions in
money are the chief aids required, as it can he
instantly applied to purchase all required, sug-
gested by the condition of the invalid All
other contributions, however, are earnestly
called for. All contributions of money should
be forwarded to the Hon. Horatio King, Treas
urer of the Association.
The association has provided itself with
Store-house and Store-keeper All goods
should be marked: Maine Soldiers Relief as
sociation, Washington, d. c. And the recent
wherefore will he Immediately acknowledged
The Association will actively Cooperate
with the agency of Maine now established in
Washington. 1t will promptly answer all re-
quests for information of soldiers of Maine reg
iments who may be confined in the Hospitals
here.
OFFICERS oFTHE SOCIETY.
Hon. +. b. French President
A. b. Farwell, Vice President.
S. j. kimball, Secretary.
Horatio King, Treasurer
Erscuttce Committee-JOhn W. Butterfeld, s. p
Brown Horatio King, A. B. Farwell. Il. A. Hall
Finance Committee-J, ID. Andrews Horatio King
L. j. ID. Fuller, Nathaniel Hatch, L. L. u. Rawson.