Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-12-08
The Erssdmsass Aid Fair
To The Ifonaes Of Wisc0nsi,s this eon.eh Greet.
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!ectful OF your country and its suffering ones !.
OUT, because We believe that these latter DAYS
nave developed in you a spirit as truly he.
lo,e, ano set-sacrihciDg, as that which immor-
talzes the fallen on the battlefield Hearts
ana nanoS, that, four years ago, had scarcely
1eeHng, or duty beyond self, and the home
circle, now thrill in sympathy with nations
suffering, and labor untiringly to supply a ma
tons wants.
The Sanitary and Christian Commissions
are household words-thev form mart of
your household cares; and it is well. So LEI
lhem remain till the cries of our wounded
anu uylhs soldiers are hushed by the pgans
OF permanent victory.
DuV' sioe oy side with these, comes in oui-
gI5y, YET lnevltably y, their younger sister. the
FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION Az
needy, as noble, as far-reachinc in it's obor;I
ties, its claims must be heard and met And
what are its claims? Let US for momar+
consider them.
1t pleads for soldiers, but not for those who
nave gone out from our happy northern
homes,panoplled by the prayers and tears and
homage OF mothers, wives, and friends IN
lay down their lives, if need be, for country
that has filled those lives with BLESSINGS. bnt
LOT TWO hundred thousand soldiers that come
rom deserted plantations, from miserable
nuts, haunted by the memory of unnumbered
wrongs, to fight for country that, as far as
they can understand it, has ignored their
rights, denied their humanity. and accorded
them justice only as a military necessity
These two hundred thousand soldiers have
taken the place of just so many now living
peacefully in our cities and on our farms, our
fathers, husbands and brothers; and their
blood has been and will be poured out freely,
ransom for these same loved ones. Do we
owe them nothing in return? Can we offer
Ihem less than the right hand of fellowship.
as men, as brothers, with the opportunities
OF mental and moral improvement which
nave made US what we are? These, the
ffeedmens Aid Commission is endeayoring
to supply.
1t pleads also for soldiers families, but not
tor those who quietly live in old, familiar
places, and gather undisturbed around the
hearth-stone of their fathers; but for home
less, houseless, destitute mothers and chill.
dren, for toil-worn, decrepit old age, that all
may be clothed and sheltered, while the
younger ones be trained for usefulness. honor
and virtue.
This, in briet, is the plea of the Freedmen's
Aid Commission. We commend it to all TO
those, first, who have so often opposed eman-
clpatlon with the prOblem-what will Won do
with three or four millions of ignorant, degrad
ed slaves? We return it with the question
what can be done with them? Whether we
will or not, they are rapidly becoming free,
and no perplexed wringing of hands can
avert the calamity, if such it be- What then
mast be done? Simply this; give them the
opportunities which have fitted others for
freedom; give them, too, as speedily as pos
sible: for, either these whole four millions
will be born to US in day, unprovided for,
or the war will be heightened, and dragged
out till we are ready to welcome them to the
educational privileges we give our adopted
children from foreign lands.
To those who have looked and longed for
this, as the day Of our nations baptism to
justice, freedom and humanity, we have only
to say, awake arise for the morning break
eth; the air is already filed with the singing
of birds, and the incense of flowers. Awake,
and join in the chorus of thanksgiving arise
and take your places in the trinmphal process
sion of the ages.
With this brief appeal we introduce the
following:
CIRCULAR:
The Northwestern Freedmen's Aid Commission.
being in need of funds, have made arrangements
for Fair, to be held in Chicago, Dec. 2Oth-24th
to which they invite the cooperation of all friendly
to the cause. The ladies of Milwaukee, in duIv no
tined meetings, have appoint ed Executive Com
mittee, representing each ward and suburb, with
President, Secretary and Treasurer, so that the
whole city may be thoroughly Ganvassed, and every
one solicited to contribute to the Fair. Provisions
vegetables, all articles of merchandise, manufac.
ture or handiwork are solicited green backs not
refused
Large packages should be sent, so far as con-
Venent, direct to Chicago according to direction
smaller ones may be left with the Executive Com
mittee, who will see them packed and forwarded.
1t being known that the cause has many friends
sspd
by the Chicago Committee, that Wisconsin have a
department of her own. The limited time gives
little opportunity for extended consultation, or
the appoin ment of proper State officers. Thefol-
lowing simple basis has been proposed, which if
generally acted upon, will insure the State fuller
representation than any one central organization
could.
lst. That the ladies OF each city, village and
town, meet as soon as proper notice ran be given
OF such meeting, local TX, Gu tive Committee be
appointed wit President, Secretary and Treasurer;
and immediate measures be taken the thorough
canVassing of the place, and the forwarding of all
articles obtained That it shall be the duty of
each Secretary to keep list Of articles received
and forwarded, which list, as well each Treasu-
rer's account, shall be sent to the Secretary and
Treasurer of the State Committee.
I'd. That each local organization shall appoint, |
from its mem bers, one to be present at Chicago,
with proper credentials, to constit ute there Com
mittee of Arrangements representing the State, |
which, when convened, shall proceed to elect a |
President, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other
officers as they may think needful.
3D. That some gentleman be employed as gene
raj State Agent, who will be in Chicago to receive
the goods, assist in their arrangement, and attend
to the general business of the department
Attn. That this State Executive Committee re- |
main in authority and respons Utility till the bust
of the fair be fully compile ed, and the funds
of the Wisconsin department be paid over to the |
Treasurer OF the North-W estern Freedmen's Aid |
Commission.
5th. That each paper in the State be invited to |
publish in their earliest issue, this appeal and cir
cular, thai thus if in other way, every farm
er's family may be called upon to aid in the good
cause. 1t will be seen, from the Chicago circular
that produce and vegetables, such they have to
give, especially solicited
9th. 1t is ed that persons sending articles
to Chicago for this department will send also a |
note list of the to the local Secretary near
them, or MS W. s. Hand, Secretary of the Mil
waukee Executive Committee, or the State Secre-
tary when appoin ted, that every donation NAV |
be duly registered.
It'll. Packages should be plainly marked with the |
names and residences OF the donors, and addressed
to the Northeastern Freednaen's aid Conmission
Sc, Washington Street, Chicago Illinois, for the
Fair, Wisconsin Department.
Should any further information be desired, let |
tiers can be addressed to Mrs. Winfield Smith, Cor
responding Secretary of the Milwaukee Executive |
Committee. 1t will be esteemed favor also, if |
these local committees will re ort their formation
to the same Secretary with list of their officers,
that we may be able to communicate with them if |
necessary.
Finally the timeis short, there is need of prompt,
earnest, united action, We leave it with you to ,
present this cause to your fathers, husbands and |
brothers Let each one feel special responsible
ty, and give generously, tibet Wisconsin may not |
olush for her children, or the Commission fer its |
friends.
In behalf of the Milwaukee Executive Commit |
tee. MRS. W. DELOSS LOVE, President.
MRS. WINFIELD SMITH, Cor. Sec'y.
Milwaukee, Nov. %, 1854.
MILITARY FAsHIoNs.-The young officers |
who manage, through political influence, to
get themselves detailed on especial duty" |
hereabout, are becoming tearfully excited |
about their personal appearance. At the be-
ginning of the war, round head cropping was
4Lo r,nn ri oil fashion and soma heads 11cnd To |