The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-05-07

The western Sanitary Commis-
si0n.
st. Louis is the eighth city IN point o.
population in the United States, and occu-
pies central position in the Valley Of the
Mississippi, and At the heart OF the Repub-
lie. None of our great cities have . orign-
ter future in prospect, or are more deeply
interested ii the preservation Of the Union.
In folly and blindness some Of her cihzsns
plunged into the msdness Of secession, out
from the beginning she has furnished ma
ny who have stood among the bravest and
most nndaunted friends and supporters Of
the National cause. J"
Immediately after the battle of Wilson's
Creek, in August, 1851, the Western SAM
tary Commission was organized, to aid In
the care and relief Of the sick and wounded
who were brought to st. Louis after the re-
treat of our army. Patriotic and high
minded men and women accepted the 81
cred trust, and for nearly three years haye
labore6 with earnest fidelity and devotion
for the relief Of our soldiers. At an early
day some ambitious spirits in the Eastern
part of the country complained Of the indie
pendent position Of the Western Sanitary
Commission, and tried to subordinate it to
the United States Sanitary Commission,
organized at New York. But the Govern
ment saw At to recognize and maintain it's
original position, and it has steadily gone
forward, and has extended liberal relief
among all our Western armies. It has ap-
propriated the value Of nearlya million and
half of dollars. It has established hospi-
tails, fitted out and supplied hospital steam
boats, and in many places opened Soldiers
Homes. It has provided large number
Of female nurses, and overcome the preju-
dices which formerly existed against them.
It has also rendered invaluable services in
the relief Of Union Refugees, and in the care
Of Freedmen. s5i4fsg
This Commission has not employed
agents to solicit contributions, but has re-
ceived generous voluntary contributions.
The Legislature of Missouri appropriated
to it seventy-five thousand dollars. Boston
sent to it over two hundred thousand dol
lars. A lady in New England opened .
room in her house rs the Missouri room,"
for filling and sending off boxes, and from
that room more than thirty thousand dol
lars in goods and in money has been sent
to the Western Sanitary Commission. To
increase the resources Of the Commission
is the praise worthy object of the Missis-
sippi Valley Sanitary Fair, which is to be
opened at st. Louis on the 18th inst, to
continue two or more weeks. From the
munifcent contributions already forward
ed for the Fair from every portion Of the
tons at st. Louis, it is apparent that this
Fair will be the grandest occasion ever
yet seen in the West. We are happy TO
know that the Ladies of Burlington, who
have won honor aud renown by unceasing
devotion to patriotic labors from the day
that they frat came together to make
clothing for the companies Of the Iowa
First, three years ago, are about forward
ing contributions to this Fair. Thousands
Of our brave Iowa soldiers have received
relief and acts Of friendliness at st. Louis,
and through the benefactions Of this Com
mission. We trust contributions will be
forwarded to the Fair from many places in
Iowa. Such offerings have . far higher
worth than their mere pecuniary value
They give . testimony to the sacred cause
Of national unity and liberty which is be-
yond all price.
~ The immediate future is full Of inn
portance. In the east and in the west
enormous armies are now mastering, aud
the days are not distant when they will
grapple with our traitor enemies in terrible
conflict. We have had great battles before
in this war-gigantic contests at arms with
which few In any past days will compare.
Yet great as sope Of them have been, 1t ia
probable that thUse now impending will
overshadow them AL, and stand out prom
inently as the grand battles Of this mons-
trous rebellion.
On our part there il every reason to an
ticipate an honorable and glorious result.
There has been ample preparation to over
wheim the last effort Of the rebels. Our sol.
diers are numerous, in the best of spirits.
under excellent discipline, lead by sue.
cessful and acceptable General, fun Of
hopefulnsss and that alacrtty and courage
which grows out Of confidence All things
are full Of promise to Us and 70 the country.
# W. feel ssnguine we have causs to feel
90. Standing. g it were, on the very eve
Of decisive battles, looking at the vast hosts
who have calamity come UP to the defeuce
Of their native land, it Is not astonishing
that We deem them irresistabls and look
forwatd with assurance Of success to. tie
result 4t gHfsfra
But while we rightly do this, there Is the
ever present. warning Of prudence, to be
prepared for any possible or contingent re-
verse. The ablest commanders sometimes