The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-12-02
TO THE SOLDIERS, Arm sOCrErvEs
In EOWA.

10 90 all IN my power to assist In allevia
ting the sufferings Of the sick. wounded
and destitute soldiers Of our armies. NJ,
husband has yielded to my convictions q
duty In this respect 30 far at to permit me
to use in This cause ali of onr limited in
lcome over our current expenses. l have
been enabled, BY the kindness OF the
Secretary Of War. TO visit our armies. and
our field and post hospitals, East, Sou h
and West, through the border and loyal
States. through the Carolinas, Virginia
Maryland. Kentucky. Missouri, Arks nsa :,
Tennessee aud Mississippi, where have
done what could 10 correct abuses. and
to aid the suffering soldiers Of The Repub.
iic. Ii has been my cad privilege 10 ad
minister TO the wants of the wounded and
dying 90 many Of the great battle. fields
OF the country, before the smoke of the
conflict had passed away, while the com.
osttants were still covered with the blood
and dust of the battle. With these varied
opportunities, extending over period OF
more than two years, would have been
very indifferent observer had not be
come somewhat familiar with the ehzrse.
ter and relative efficiency of the diffsren,
state organizations, as well as those of i
more national character, for the relief Of
soldiers. Although | have not desired
nor sought connection with any of them.
have, at different periods, distributed
goods for many, and have observed the
bearing and conduct of the agents OF near.
iy all OF them. | have, conse ouenily.
some knowledge Of the system and rulss
adopted by these organizations Tor the
coatrol OF their business. A: an earl,
period observed what seemed to me 10
be defects In the plans adopted for The
distribution of Iowa sanitary goods
There was no bead to the system-no
home ofhse at which accounts could be
kept-no arrangement by which Iowa
regiments could be regularly visited b,
our agents-no business arrangements for
the shipment OF goods-no regular plans
existed at that time for procuring dis.
charges for the perma nently disabled, and
iurioughs for those suffering under pro-
traeted ailments, and transportation and
subsistence for those who we're DISCHARGED
and without funds to pay their expenses
home. The efforts OF our friends seeined
TO me to be spasmodic, irregular, and OF
course inefi ieDt, and ia tnsrk-d con.
'rast 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. desired nj once 70 enter ON
a reform, but was told in our own state
that this could not be done without. effect.
log lndlsi9uals AID individual iutsres,s-
that my motives would be impurned, and
my purposes and ctnlact sconstrned
and misrepresented-and that a conflict
would arse more or less personal, Which
would be exceedingly unpleasant. This
was unsatisfactory reasoning, | confess
Tor woman's heart. To argue that SCI
uiers almost worn ont in fighting our b.,
ties, and who might be saved BY little
effort, must be allowed to perish. to avoid
interference with the petty interests and
ambitions Of individuals, might be salts
factory reasoning to public men, and
strong minded women," but it was nol
70 me. But a. nad entered a field where
found more to do than nv hands could
pefferm, | yielded my con, ,ictions to the
Judgment Of others, trusting to time and
the communications of the private sol
dlers and honest officers for the facts
which would secure the reform in ,,r
system In Iowa. SO much needed. /
knew that while some officers might be
battered 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 burden
OF the day and the brunt of battle. would
in time make themselves heard.
Aud waited patiently the time has
at length come. The iriends of tie sol
dlers IN the State, who have eou,,ibnte,i
hundreds of housands OF dollars wur Il OF
stores, demanded more perfect system
lhe AID Societies aud Leagues from al
most every part Of the State met in Con-
vention at the Capitol, on the 18th and
18TH insts and adopted plans for State
organization, which meets the approval
OF nearly all who were present. and which,
IL is believed, will secure the harmony.
efficiency, aud accountability of agents,
SO much desired. The plan does not seek
to interfere, in any way, with the sgent-
appointed by tie State authorities. Tnose
Fho have honestly done their duty de-
serve. and will receive their reward. I'll
any have not, the responsibility was not
with the Convention, but with those who
made the appointments and continue them
IN the field. The Convention sought
only to improve the system; to classify
he labor; to provide for a division OF
work to require security and safety, and
to put more aborers in the field. This
does not even imply ceneure of the State
When the Aid Societies be-.
gan their good work the business va.
new ; they had everything to learn theft
were comparatively small
bns they have gradually increased until
they are probably equal in amount to the
annual revenue Of the State. For their
proper management We need persons oil
as high an order Of business capacity and
Integrity as that of our Safe officers, and
We should have the same security agaius.
frauds. So farsas can Judge the plan
by the C,nvention Is GOOD
Ihe board OF managers will meet 10 few