The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1864-03-25
tFor The, Pioneer.l
OUR S0LDIERsY AID SOCIETIES.
! No-1-E


| An Gen. Rdsccfans remarks At the opening of
| the great Sanitary Fair at tn. queen City" he
very aptly symbolizcd the patrlatie enthusiasm
manifi sted in the Jealous labors and generous
offerings Of the people, as the ..g1eat Hrods Of tie
Nations hrart!
Surely,nothing aimee the, inauguration of this
unhappy struggle, HAS so dxated tie heart Of
our national humanity, as the grand results that
have been achieved by the united and untiring
efforts of our liberty loving people, who show
their devotion to their country cause, by bind
ing up the wounds Of her brave defenders, and
cheering their hearts when languishing in hosp-
tails, from diseases and injuries incident towar's
dread havoc.
1t is pleasant to realize that the associations
of war are not all revolving and horrible. When
the dread tornado of battle has passed--when
the engines Of death have ceased their hayoc,
and the cloud is lifted and the thunderings are
dying away in hoarse echoes, it is grateful to tho
heart (Which ever loves to keep faith in its hui
manity) to see the beautiful rainbow of pity and
ready handed relief, with its healing ministra-
tions of hope and comfort lowering over the
PROSTATE wounded, amid the ghastly mutila-
tions of humanity at which the stoutest hearts
shrink back appalled,. And further: Nothing
could go nerve and reassure the soldiers heart as
the assurance that should the fortunes of war
throw him into, hospital or prison, the fidcl
ity and gratitude of his countrymen for whom
he risks his life, would earnestly seek him out,
to heal and succor him.
1t has been clearly demonstrated that Govern
rnent provision and forecast, have often failed
to meet the .exigcncies of suffering and want
following the conflict of armies Then has this
great htrnantary institution--the Sanitary
Commission" stepped in as an angel of mercy to
their relief; and thousands of precious lives have
been saved, and an incalculable amount of suf-
fcrng mitigatcd. Indeed, nothing is more in
spring than the perlisal of the history OF the
rise, progress and achievements Of this Heaven
inspired enterprise
1t clearly shows that this grand central rcsor-
voir, that sends its great life,giving pulsations
far into the wrctched retreats of the suffering,
was wolnans idea--noble selfsacrificing wo.
man, willing to work and impart their home
comforts to their couiitry's brave defenders.
First, sclf-noved, thousands might have been
seen around their fircsdes, preparing bandages,
scraping lint, drying and canning fruit, and
bringing out their treasured boards of blankets
and wines as voluntary offerings for the common
cause. Then sprang up the "Village Aid Asso.
Citations, those organized efforts which by uni
ting their thousand little streams sweled to
great resoryoir-the great "U. S. Sanitary Com
mission, with most efficient and thoroughly
organized agencies to send out great arterial
throbs from this hcart.full fountain, which has
received this winter, such vast acccssions of vi
tai force from our grand metropolitan Sanitary
Fairs, through which our people have wrought
and achieved such noble results.
If there ever was spectacle sublime and
glorious--one well calculated TO atone for the
essential barbarsm of war; one which rein
spires our faith in the speedy success of our most
righteous cause, it is the enthusiastic and untir-
ing bors Of our people for the amclioration Of
the suffering and privations which war in
wolves. .U..a.
have dcvoured with greedy int rest, the
glowing reports of these grand enterprises,
whcrewith such heroic self sacrifice the treasured
souvenirs of a lifetime, beautiful and curious
keepsakes marvellous creations of science and
art, were generously laid upon humanity's al
tar-such hccatomb of heart offerings as Were
never before laid upona nations 'hrinc--even
the shorn trtsses OF the DANES OF ancient sparta,
bear no anoogy; for time again restored
those, but treasures were gwen that linle or
money could not relnstate and la6oroHs tasks
and duties were cheerfully endured by gentle
ladies, little accustomed to toll, which c"nhot
fail to excite the llveliest emotions OF admra-
ton and gratitude.
Some persons have reasoned that because
there has been 50 much done that we, who are
such an insignificant tributary to the great res
orvoir--"nccd not continue our efforts in the
soldiers behalf" think this mistaken con-
clusion.
Although the amount realized is 80 considera-
Bile, still the demand is much greater Figures
away up among the tens of thousands and even
millions dwndle in Importance when measured
by the daily expenses Of our vast army hospit
ais sum that would make a dozen men mil
lonarl g, would soon lose itself in the numbcrcss
chanr els of want and suffering that claim kind
IL consideration Besides the means realized
rom fairs, are mostly in money, aud not in rca
DIV prepared sanitary stores, as are our village
IA contributions which the exgencies Of our
armtc, in active operations may call for, no one
irn,vs b,,- soon, or in what quantity. And
reject what n ,''tal thing to the life and well
being of Ills human.e enterprise, it would be to