, 1863-12-19

Hon. Marcus L. Ward, ofNcyvart, N. =.
Our New York correspondent sends us the
following account Of the 1abors Of one who
fully deserves tic ennobling title Of public
benefactor. Mr. Ward was the Republican
Union candidate for Governor of New Jersey
ut the last election, and even in that Copper
head State, was only defeated by small ma
jority. He is respected aud beloved by al
who know him:
An HOUR WITH PnILANrHRoP1sT.
A day or two ago, happening over in New
ark, the metropolis Of Jersey, ! called In ut
the office Of Hon. MARCUS L. WARD, one Of
pature's noblemen, who has, since the open
ing Of the war, devoted his valuable time,
and great ability, to tho work Of making our
soldiers and their families comfortable. Hop
ing to interest come of the large hearts and
loyal citizens Of Chicago sufficiently to induce
them to follow Mr.. Wards noble example, l
shall give You brief synopsis Of Ills labors,
and the plan on which they are so successfully
conducted.
Early In the war and before any syetem had
been devised for transmitting to the family
turcd l1an for the accomplishment of this
important object, which from it's incipiency
has proved successful. A large number Of
circulars were ut once distributed among the
New jersey troops, communicating the de-
tails Of the "Chapfain System," las 1t has
been named, J and containing Mr.: Wa1d's offer
the money to The soldiers families through
out the State. The plan proposed was SO
simple and yet SO safe, unattended with e1-
pense, but SO expeditions, that 1t was fmmc-
diatcly adopted by several Of the New Jersey
regiments, and esch pay. day since, has added
largely to the numbers who avail themselves
of This agency. 1t is also worthy Of mention
that many soldiers, without families, have
sent considerable sums to Mr.. Ward to place
in Sayings Banks for them.
When the rcycEbcrating echoes Of the first
gun fired upon Sumter had reached and
1wakened the 1ethargic hearts Of the loyal
North, Mr.. Ward resolved to derotc his time,
his energies, and his means to the support Of
the Government, and from that day to this,
now over two years and hull, he has faith
fully kept his voluntary pledge. Not on the
battle field, but in IN equally important
sphere, by aiding cnlistmcnts, assisting. in
forwarding troops to the scat Of war, aud in
securing and transmitting clothing and deli
cacics to the sick and wounded in camps and
hospitals. With n view to promote the COM
fort and welfare Of the soldiers, he has fire.
quentlv yisitcd the seat Of war, and in per-
son ministcred to their wants.
The plan of transmitting the funds from
the army to the family, Is, as We have stated,
very simple, md ia Substantially this: On
receiving his pay the soldier goes to the tent
OF the Chaplain or other officer selected by
money which lc desires rcmittrd. The
| Chaplain fills mp printed receipt for the
amount, which be gives to the soldier, who
mails It to his wife. The receipt is signed
| By the Chaplain, and addressed to Afr. Ward,
| and by IN Arrangement made with the banks
sentation ut any bank in the State. The
| funds collected BY the Chaplain are forward
| cd to Mr. Ward either By drait on the Treas
| ury or by special messenger. The risk Of
capture Of the funds, or their loss In any way,
| willie in transit, Is assumed by MI. Ward,
4 and though hundreds Of thousands OF dollars,
perhaps millions, have passed through his
agency, yet it has SO far been done without
| tic loss Of single dollar, or the cost OF a
cent to any soldier or his family. Mr.. Ward
| keeps IN Office open for the transaction Of al
business relating to soldiers affairs, With
bounty Of deceased soldiers, and generally to
| advise and assist the soldiers and their de-
| pendant families.
Mt. Ward acts also rs agent for collecting
| and forwarding supplies to the Sanitary Com
mission, and the labors Of this department Of
| pfal accommodations In tho State, carly
attracted Ills attention, and BY dint Of unre-
hitting excrtions, and entirely through his
instrumentality and energy, hospital was
! established In Newark, under the authority
Of the State Government. Mr.. Ward was
| tendent, which lie has done, md for several
| months The duties Of this position were de-
| volvcd on him.
Subsequently the General Government,
upon MIR. Wards representation, assumed
control Of the hospital, and plssed Surgeon
largest and best managed institutions Of the
kind in the country: It msy be Imagined,
| Jersey troops IN the field, and their families
at home, together with the distribution each
| pay day Of an average Of one hundred and
the correspondence Of Mr.. Ward is i'm
u,cnse, and his postage bill no small sum,
and when it Is taken into consideration that
the office and its entire machinery is carried
on solely at his individual expense, some ap-
| proxinate estimate may perhaps be made Of
cntailed upon him. In the arduous, varied
and responsible dutics, some Of them Of
very delicate nature, which falls to Mr..
! Wards lot, there Is much that would dis
courage many good men, but, he having vol
unfairly 5s. assumed ts hahaa. this YORK. E;a With
I by assisting and amelforating the
condition Of the soldiers md their families,
continues with unwayering will, In thebcn-
ef1cent and patriotic course which he has
marked out with d patience and industry un-
exampled in the range Of my observation.
with untold advantage to those who are fight
ing our battles for US, and in Chicago, where
60 many patriotic men are found Of large
pecuniarY means, is there not one who will,
like Marcus L. Ward, devote himself physi-
cally, mentally and pecuniarily so the service
of lila rnnnfr ~ Q Rnyn