Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-30
LETTFR FROM MRS. =. 2. GAGE,
ST. LOUIS, April 2Ist, 1854.

EDIIok LEADER ~ hen penned my
last note to you, you were in the midst Of
the hustle and business Of the great ssni-
tary Fair. escaped from your grand en-
thusiasm and success in time not to be
crazed with its magnitude and briIlisnce,
only to plunge into the serener, and yet
equally dazzling light, for the hour, Of the
same field, in GAINESVILLE, which, for the
time occupied, and expenses incurred, was
also brilliant affair.
Flying from town to town, stirring up
the people to think and feel for the freed
men, find myself here in st. Louis con-
fronted again by another of those stupend-
Gus cbsrities-the Mississippi Valley sani-
tsry Fair.
When it is remembered that not only
alone, but without recogniti5n from the
United States Sanitary Commission, and
almost against its remOnstrance, and that
Of the War Department. this Western Com
mission has been for nearly three years do
ing an active service, and sending its agents
with their healing snd comforting stores to
every battlefield of the Southwest, when
we remember too, what st. Louis and Mis-
souri, were ct the commencement Of this
rebellion, and how this beautiful State has
suffered how Confederate invaders have
devasted her territory, and how guerrilla
bands have narrowed her people, and high
way robbers destroyed her trade, the go
cial antagonism Of her people, and the fact
that her moneyed men for the most part
take sides with the rebellion, this " Fair"
becomes one Of unusual interest. should
commend the assistance Of all the North
ern States.
And especially would call the attention
Of ell the philsnthropic to the fact that St.
Louis leads the way in recognizing the
Freedmen in her noble charities.
Circulars for Sanitary Fairs are streWn
in these days like autumn leaves in for
ess, among the people, and this being the
case, many may only see the headings Of
those circulars, snd fail to read the fact
that the committee has insugursted neH
= isl.--.ig-.1t fs ar,snoa in thia,rrest es-
feet for the aFreedmen and Union kefu- |
gees" In all the Fairs l have attended |
(smaH and great), while sll other nations
were represented, the Freedman or African |
found no place The Greek and Roman,
Persian and Russian, Turk and Injisn
stood forth in costume and played strange /
antics for charity's sake without which
weiare nothing the great national inter
est of Eve millions Of people, whose veal
and woe continues or destroys us as ma
ion, was wholly ignored
This great Mississippi Valley Sanitary
Fair remembers Gods poor, and makes an
appeal to the world in their behalf and it
may well be said Of Missouri, "Many
daughters of our republic have done vir-
tuously, but thou exosllest them all" Go
sustain this Branch, (sn others will be
should be the interest Of the
especial friends Of freedom and the rights
If man everywhere. The slowness Of
he government in organizing or allowing
o be organized any systematic plan Of
abor for the freed people Of the Missis-
ippi Valley, leaves them still in terrible
tate Of destitution and suffering. The
Union refugees flying from guerrillss worse
han the fercest sayages in their WRnton
iruelties and devaststions, fill the borders
II the Border States with objects Of char
ty, which if they could be seen by the
iumsne and generous people Of the West
IN Reserve would melt their hearts with
orrow, and bring forth at once an effort
o relieve them. Here is an actual existing
Fant To-day women and children whose
and fathers are fighting the enc
nies Of the Union, cry for bread, and
here is none TO give. Women sll unused
0 hardship, driven from home pennyless,
kulking out Of sight to hide pakedness
more terrible 10 their shrinking sensitive
Tess than even the fierce chill winds OF this
billiest Of ApriIs, implore You through ,
heir suffering tongues. Every day and
lour adds TO the number of each of these
lssses. Shall they be left TO die Let me
,lesd with friends Encourage and sus.
ain this branch Of the coming Fair at St..
louis. Morally, physically and politically
here are reasons urgent and strong why ,
{ should be we'll sustained
0h ye who have seen nothing Of war,
md Of whom it can hardly be said, "ye
Inuffed the sound Of battle from sfar," re
Who have never been hungered or thirst
lick or in prison remember the words of ,,
lin who said, T" "Inasmuch as ye have done
into one Of the least Of these ye have done
unto me" FRANCES D. GAGE.