The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-11-28


them, have, at different periods, distri
buted goods for many, and have observed
the bearing and conduct of the agents o
nearly all of them. I have, consequently
some knowledge Of the system and rules
adopted by these organizations for the con.
troll of their business. At an early period
l observed what seemed TO me to be de.
fects in the plans adopted for the distribu.
ton of Iowa sanitary goods. There was
no head to the systemSno home office al
which accounts could be kept-no arrange
ment by which Iowa regiments could be
regularly visited by our agents-no bust
ness arrangement for the shipment OF
goods-no regular plans existed at that
time for procuring discharges for the per-
manently disabled, and furloughs for those
suffering under protracted ailments, and
transportation and subsistence for those
who were discharged and without funds,
to pay their expenses home. The efforts OF
our friends seemed to me to be spasmodic,
irregular, and Of course insufficient and in
marked contrast with that of other States,
so much so as to attract the notice Of our
brave boys in the army, and cause them to
feel neglected. I desired at once to enter
on reform, but was told in our own State
that this could not be done without effect
ing individuals and individual interests
that my motives would be impugned, and
my purposes and conduct misconstrued
and misrepresentation that a conflict
would arise more or less personal, which
would be exceedingly unpleasant. This
was unsatisfactory reasoning, 1 confess, for
womans heart. To argue that soldiers
almost worn out in fighting our battles,
and who might be saved by little effort,
must be allowed to perish, to avoid inter-
ference with the petty interests and ambi-
tons of individuals, might be satisfactory
reasoning to public men, and 'strong-
minded wOmen," but it was not to me. But
as had entered field where found more
to do than my hands could perform. 1
yielded my convictions to the judgment of
others, trusting to time and the communi-
cations of the private soldiers and honest
officers, for the facts, which would secure
the reform in our system in Iowa, so much
needed. know that while some officers
might be t1attered and coaxed into silence,
and some of them into the support of a bad
cause, that other officers, with the private
soldiers who bear the heat and burthen of
the day and the brunt of the battle, would,
in time, make themselves heard
And waited patiently; the time has at
length come. The friends of the Soldiers
in the State, who have contributed hun
dreds of thousands of dollars worth of
stores, demanded more perfect systemic
The Aid Societies and Leagues from almost
every part of the State met in Convention
at the Capitol, on the 18th and 10Th insts.,
and adopted plans for State organization,
which meets the approval of nearly all
who were present, and which it is believed
will secure the harmony, efficiency, and
accountability of agents SO much desired.
The plan does not seek to interfere, in any
way, with the agents appointed by the
State authorities. Those who have honest
ly done their duty deserve, and will re-
ceive, their reward. II any have not, the
nor hill N ,nf wit bn
ton, but with those who made the ap.
pointments and continue them in the field.
The Convention sought, only, to improve
the system to classify the labor-to pro-
vide for division of work--to require Sc
curity and safety, and not to put more la
borers in the field. This does not even i'm
ply censure of the State authorities when
the business was new, they had everything
to learn, their contributions were compa-
lively small; but they have gradually
increased until they are probably
equal in amount to the
annual revenue of the State. For their
proper encouragement we need persons of
as high order of business capacity and in
tegrity as that Of our State officers; aud we
should have the same security against
frauds. So far as 1 can judge the place
prepared by the Convention is good, The
Board of Managers will meet in a few DAYS
to complete the organization, when the
Societies will be informed more fully on
the subject, and advised where their con-
tributions should be sent. In the mean
time if my feeble voice could be heard by
my sisters in this work, l would exhort
them to adopt it, and to go to work with
increased activity, that Iowa, whose braye
men have secured for her imperishable
glory on the field, may be made equally
illustrious by the devotion of women. Let
none hesitate to work in this cause for fear
their motives may be misconstrued by
those who are ever watchful to keep wO-
men in ''their proper sphere" 1 am no adj
mirer of ''strong minded women in the
vulgar sense Of that phrase. But here is
work for true woman's heart and hands;
by engaging in it we may save the lives OF
many husband, father, son, and brother
that would otherwise perish. Soldiers in
our armies have told me frequently, dur
ing the past year, that they were indebted
to me for the preservation of their lives.-
Women OF Iowa, what a rich reward for
your labor and toll! feeble dying soldiers
made well and strong and bold in front OF
the enemy, by your kindness! for these
blessings from the lips Of those who are as
sisted, belong chiefly to you aDho hare pro-
Utded the means, rather than to the agents
who have disposed your bounty.
My dear sisters in this holy cause, do not
alulCt.Aue ny entertaining the InOuglt THAT
address this note to you on account of any
vain desire for notoriety. Nothing could
be more painful to the feelings of true
woman. Like you, would prefer to work
on, hereafter, as heretofore, in silence and
as far as possible unobserved. But nv
health has failed. My active labors for this
world are probably, almost finished. 1
most earnestly desire better working
sanitary system in our State: to aid in a
feeble way, the attainment of this result,
will be, have no doubt, my last work. 1
am no longer able, in justice to myself, to
travel extensively and rapidly from place
to place, to converse with you personally
on this subject. I, therefore, snatch my
pen to cheer you on, if can, in your gen
erous efforts to alleviate the suffering and
to cheer up the spirits of the brave boys in
the field. Go to work vigorously-let all
see that you are in earnest-frown down
the factions and those who are constantly
magnifying their personal consequence
let every true woman lend helping hand
until success shall cause Iowa troops to be
as pleased with our efforts-at home, as we
are proud of their more than Roman cour-
age and Spartan valor in front of the en-
envy,
Very respectfully yours,
A f. HARLAN