Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-12-16

who are ahlc TO live without il, cannot
think that lynN-eyed scrutiny of the CIR
cu,nstances and means OF each particular
family, is either cxpedient or manlvs IL is
aid, in its proper and practical sense, that
the law contcmplates, and to reduce families
to absolute necessity before they are permit
ted to obtain it, world be degrading them TO
the status Of paupcrism. which is not only
at variance with the obvious spirit Of the law
but rcpugnant to tho known sentiments Of
the people. II is enough, if, in determining
who are entitled to the 5enetlciaries, we act
upon appearances and general repute.
The errors in the execution Of the law,
which exist in certain localities, demand i'm
mediate correction. may be pardoned for
adyerting to them in this public manner,
when it is understood TINT the parties az
gricved are constantly appealing to me for
redress. These appeals come from sources
which entitlc them to respectful considera.
ton. Approaching the deep solci,ude which
soldier in the field naturally entcrtains for
the comfort and welfare of his family, can.
not remain u silent listener 10 their com,
plants. 1t is not the question Of food and
clothing alone, which is involved. Consid.
eratcns Of public policy require us TO view
the subject in a higher and broader light -
We cannot over estimate the influence which
Kindness and charity may. exert in strength
ening the foundations of social virtue and
promoting the public veal. II you would
increase the contcntincnt OF soldiers and
give their patriotism a loftier impulse, assurs
them that grateful public will watch over
their families and supply them with tender
care .'.
Another important fact demands our con
sidcration The law requires the Assessors
in the several wards and townships to tax,
| their enumcrations of soldiers families befor.
the FIRST Monday Of June, 1864, and the re
| turns then made constitute the basis upon
which Boards Of Supervisors make their lev
les Since these returns were made, tht
Government has been compelled to call into
| the public service an additional number o
our fellow citizens, who have been taken from
| their homes on brief notice, and without suf
ficjcnt time being allowed them to suitably
prepare their families for winter. This class
of soldiers receive no other compensation
than the ordinary pay and allowances. and
as many of them are poor men, we may ap
prehcnd much suffering among their !ani
lies, unless prompt and adequate measures
are adopted for their relief With the nun
Der of soldiers families thus augmented be
yond our anticipations, the necessity for ad
ditional public effort in their behalf has beer
created. The receipts from levies already
shade, will prove inadequate to provide fo,
the increased numbers in many counties, aus
further appeal TO the generosity of on,
people is imperativcly demanded. For thi.
purpose, therefore, request that SATURDAY
THE 3lsr DAY OF DECEMBSa, inst, be SCI
apart as a day for general contribution ,hro'
out the State.
Let this day be obser"ed by the people o
'owa, and consccratcd by the discharge Of o
| patriotic and Christian duty. Bearing il
| grateful remembrance the victories so glori
ously won by our heroes during the present
year, let US brighten its departing day 10y
thus commcmorating their deeds.
| These who have not money 10 contribute
may bring, fuel, -four, meat, clothing, or any
other article suitable for family use. In du,
time, committees, consisting of three or more
persons, should be appointed in eHchs c..ii%S
to receive and distribute these contrilI ,,IoHG
to the proper families.
| will award banner worth 500, will
appropriate inscriptions upon it, TO the coun
ty which, according to its popuation, con
tributes the greatest aggregate in money ant
the various articles, to be rockoned at thc
average value in the State. And that thii
matter may be fairly dctessined, desire tht
different local committees to keep correct
list OF the money and articles received, Civ.
ing the names Of the donors, and file tn,
same with the Clerks Of their rcspcctiv,
Counties, by whom they can be transmitted
to the Executive office at Des Moincs, whara
they will be examined and compared.
will also present to the individual who
shall! contribute the largest sum of money to
this purpose, a certificate under my hand and
the seal Of the State which will be printed
on parchment sheet suitable for framing.
Fellow citizens Of Iowa This appeal in
behalf of our soldiers is made with conf
deace that rou will give it a favorable re.
sponse. With Gods blessing the day devo
ted to this holy purpose may be rendered
memorable in the history Of our State. II
we would manifest proper appreciation Of
the proud name our soldiers have won for US
on SO many fields, and prove ourselves wor.
thy Of it, let us greet them with the assur
ance that their wives and little ones shall not
suffer in their absence. Let us unite in send.
ing them such token Of our love Ms viii
cheer them wherever they are around the
flag Of the Union, whcthet on the land or on
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