Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-03-04
fFor the Free Press.l
SOLDIERS RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
BISEw YOUR suBscRIPTIoSs.

The time is drawing near for the renewal o
the monthly subscriptions to which has been >
largely due the efficiency that has marked To
Soldiers Relief Association Of this village dur
ing the past year.
1t stated by one who has examined tine b5ok
Of the New England Women's Branch OF th
Sanitary Commission, that Burlington ha
the most efficient Society in Vermont, tributary
to that organization; and We feel justified il
saying that in a liberal community Ike ours
the method Of furnishing a regular monthly
fund, by a subscription, from each family aud
individual. Of such a sum as their means
will sdmit, is emiDently calculated TO Sc
cure such efficiency Il has various feature
that will commend themselves to the gool
sense and the good will Of the public. There
are many in the community who are prevented,
I by varied cause, from joining every Tuesday, IA
the t10rk Of the Relief Association, but who sun
wish an opportunity to identify themselves with
the objects of that work. Such persons ars
thus enabled to testify by a subscription Of
money, their sympathy with the enterprise that
now occupies 50 generally the thought Of the
earnest women Of the country. This method Of
supplying the treasury seems also a very just
one, leaving each one the judge OF the amount
to be given, but allowing no one to forget this
free-will Offering.
The Relief Association has been newly organ
i1ed on a most excellent basis. with the inten-
tion Of making ITS efforts for the production Of
supplies for the sick and wounded Of our army
and navy, still more systematic and comprehensive
during the coming year Its operations can
be fully known and understood BY any who
will take the trouble to examine the books.
which are carefully kept by a lady who has
spared herself no labor that could further the
work Of the Society.
The Association degotes its work especially 90
the icorst sufferers, those on and near the field.
The Government has intimated that all the vol
unteer supplies from the country should be usel
in the field relief service and for the field and
army hospitals It is expressly announced thai
our General hospitals in the State Of Vermont
can, with proper care on the part of the officers
in charge, be thoroughly supplied beforehand
with everything suited to the patients in their
wards Relying therefore on the able officers Of
our hospitals TO supply them, the Indies Of the
Association have given their attention directly
to furnishing fsil supplies, desiring however.
whenever opportunity occurs, to render any So
wee the officers in charge viii receive for the
men in the hospitals
We learn that the general principles and man
agement Of this Association have won such favor
from the people. and especially have so sus-
taiued, before the whole state, the reputation Of
the town. that many persons have resolved &.
increase their subscriptions for the year. Tn
doubteily IN many instances. q subscription
double that Of last year would prove very
slight sacrifice TO the donor. while it would DO
much TO and in giving permauence to the plans.
purposes and efforts Of the little band Of women
who SER diligently every Tuesday for the sick
and wounded Of the army and navy.
What are We TO suppose animates that hand
ful Of the women Of our community who are
seen every TuesIay morning at nine O'Clock.
Luncheon basket in hand, gathering at the work
ing room Of the Association. there to sit and
sew till evening. with fixed devotion 90 that Oh
iect alone, Would got, do it3'' We are tempt
Ell to ask Of this and that individual who sneers
about the " subscription for the solliers' relief 90
Money is often easily given, for is often
easily got But it is not such a pleasure
10 cut garments and make them up army fan
mel and other plain materials there wrought up
are not so fascinating and agreeable 60 sewing
work. nor are the opportunities for the use Of
the needle 80 scarce, among these women, that
we need assign for this faithful labor any other
object than benevolent purpose to relieve suf-
fering There is one chief reason why these
women are inspired with TINS purpose; they
have informed themselves Of the need Of their
work. They Bsliers in the suffering they talk
about, and they have ascertained that 1t Is pal
pable, terrible suffering. such as DO words can
de1cribe, and that with all the efforts OF Govern
ument. individuals, States and Associations, can
never be properly relieved.
In view Of this knowledge, they cordially in
vite all the ladies who viii, to join them for the
purpose of carrying on the work in the oroadesi
and most determined spirit. They purpose, If
the money to buy materials, and the hands to
work upon them are sufficient, to furnish an IN
creased amount of supplies through the year
1t is to be hoped therefore that none VIII do the
association the injustice to neglect their sub
scriptions, or pay such poor respect to the no
blest philanthropy the world ever knew as to
make those subscriptions cent less than real
necessity may demand.