Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-02-19
Il LOCAL AFFAIRS.
Report of the COMMITTEES

OF Citizens, appointed 10 app to the Legislature
for an Appropriation for he Relief Of the Fani-
lies Of Volunteers
Alta meeting Of comm ttee of citizens Of this
State. appointed TO apply 10 the Legislature for
an appropriation Of funds, for the Relief of the |
Fnmln,s II Volunteers, held at Dover, January
l2th 1864 Edward D. Porter, Of New Castle
county was made Chairman, and Henry W. Dra.
per, of Kent county, S,cremry The following
address was read -
ADpRRss OF THE COMMITTEE CF CITIZENS OF THE
STATS Of DELAWARE, APPOINTED TO APPLY TO
1uk LE0lsLA1uRE FOR AN APPROPRIATION
oF FUNDS, FOR THE RELIEF OF FAMI-
LIES VI VOLUNTEERS.
10 The Honorable Ms Senate and House Of Repre-
ssnfdf,pes of The STATE 0f Deiapdre IN Gensral
assembly concerned;
We approach your honorable body upon no
-uhj ct OF mere private interest, for no personal
advantage, hut upon matter Of grave public
concern which, at this time, enlists the warm
sympalhies Of large numbers Of your fellow. citi-
aene. We need not remind you that in the great
aui terrible conflict now raging many OF our
brethren aud neighbors are engaged. In the
most hoty contested battles Of the war the sons
of Delaware have nobly maintained its reputa-
tion, and their military record is unsued. But
Withdrawn az our soldiers are of necessity from
their usual avocRtions, their families arc to u
greater Or less extent deprived of that sustaining
/
mothers and children are not only full Of ankle
" for the ratety aud the lives Of husbands, sous
and fathers, but in many cases are suffering
greatly for the want OF those ordinary comforts
which their industry had been wont To provide.
Should it be permitted that the families Of these
irave men lack SHELTER food, raiment, fuel or
medicine, while their natural guardians arc con-
touting danger aud death in their country d ser
vice Or shall they he driven to the humilia-
condition Of mpulinattta nd In lad
10 ask relief Of their pressing wants at the hand
OF charity We feel that these large numbers of
the neeessIOus and suffering have u right to be
supplied with what is essential to their comfort.
Their appeal is not to our compassion but TO our
justice, The State owes debt Of gratitude TO
the gallant men who have stood forth as its vol
untary representatives in the National army
While much has been done and will be done, by
the benevolent, the distress is too wide to be met
by private charity, and the cause is too general
lO justify the State in abandoning all relief to in
dyidual generosity. 1t was for the homes and
the property of all our citizens that the men Of
Delaware fought at ANTlETAM and GETrTsDuRG
Their arms were raised and their blood was shed
TO hur back the tide Of Invasion, that threatened
TO overwhem and desolate our State. Aud while
still exposed and imperilled, may they not en-
trust their families to the care of the Common
wealth they have ut once defended aud honOred.
We ask, therefore, of your honorable body,
such an appropriation Of funds for the families
Of our Volunteers as shall alleviate the unayuid-
able hardships Of their condition Your com
phnce with this request will gladden. many sad
hearts and dry the tear in many u care-worn
mothers eye. Ii will inspirit and encourage the
brave men who are now in the field In the tent
and around the campfire, the act will be men
TONED with grateful joy. The sentinel will pace
his weary round with freeI step, aud the picket
guard keep his lonely watch with lighter heart.
1t will be a reyiying cordial to the sick and
wounded soldier. In the very heat OF battle it
will help to nerve and sustain the combataut.-
To large body Of your constituents such action
will afford unleigned pleasure. And when the
history of this eventfu epoch is reviewed IN years
to come, it will be remembered to the honor OF
the State and its Legislators
We urge this request with entire conviction
that what We ask comes w.thiL the scope of your
Legitimate duties representatives Of the people,
aud guardians vi lhe pubic treasure. Did doubt
exist upon this point III my niind, we would
a suggest that IN 50 grave aud pressing an einei-
gency as the plestuI, the doubt might we'll be
: decided by brosd pr,uciples Of patriotism and
/, humanity. But the measure we propose has
: been sanctioned by other States nnd we conceive
1t TO he fully warranted by the paternal relation
- which you occupy TO our whole population.
class OF our citizens are undergoing extreme
hardships, exposure and peril, not for themselves
> but for their country. All of us have interests
at stake equally dear, all of us are under caua
: obligations. Their families are subjected by
their absence to privAtiOns before UNKNOWN
What more just ind reasonable than that the
I \ care of supplying their urgent need should bi
ID borne by the whole community? and how i
= this TO be done but by the act of our State Leg
lie isature We submit therefore with confd nc
s. our request, anu pray your honorable body t
l. gIant liberal appropriation fer an object
re equitable as 1t is humane, and 10 take suitabl
N measures for judiciOus and fair distribution o
such sum as may be granted, among the clas
h., for whose relief it IL asked.
"a When, after remarks by several gentlemen, o.
= motion the Committee adjourned to re-assemblt
= Immediately after the close Of the afternoon ses
sion of the Legislature.
n Committee re-assembled at O'Clock TIL
20 Secretary being absent, John p. McLear, of Wi
G. mington, whs made Secretary, pro tenn. After
" heightened debate on several propositions, til
following proposition was unanimously adopted
=. Resolved, That the subject Of action in thi
~ matter be referred TO the loyal members of til
:, Legislature, with the following instructions;
LIST. That the address be presented when the
NJ may deem advisable.
N' End. That If favorable action be Anticipated
they are authorized to call this Committee to
s. gether.
rs Sd. That if no favorable action be anticipate
O. or TAKEN they be requested to report u the Sec
vc retary Of this Committee, who will thereupo
Il. publish the following recommendation, viz -
IN "That those counties that have already take
Sc action in this matter, be requested to continu
it and perfect III and that those counties that nav
no organization for this purpose, be requested
move as early as possible 10 this matter"
e. On motion, adjourned to meet at The call of th
On Union members of the Legislature.
y The Legislature having refused to take favoi
ar able action on that part Of the special messag
a Of the Governor, relating to Relief to the Fami
TO lies Of Volunteers, measures will be taken
" accordance with the provisions of the above re
n commendation in Kent and Sussex countie.
Nv where no relief organizations exist
ms EDWARD D. PORTER, Chairman.
a Henry W. DRAPER Secretary.
TO February 18th, 1864
re
Is,