Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-08-19

| Notwithstanding the great importance
of keeping before the people the politi-
cal issues of the day, we should be rec
reant to our duty as a public journalist
did we fail to keep prominently before
our readers the great humanitarian
scheme for giving relief to the brave
men who stand as our wall of defense,
and receive in our stead the scars and
wounds of honorable warfare. TO sup.
ply our sick and wounded soldiers with
sanitary supplies is to save the lives OF
thousands of our best citizens.
The Sanitary Commissions of oul
country are only recruiting agencies on
an extensive scale. Every sick OF
wounded soldier rescued from the jaws
of death is recruit obtained for anoth'
er campaign, perhaps for the war;
Never before in the history of any cOun'
try has there been such universal
prompt, energetic effort to relieve the
sutlerings of the country's defenders as
now.
Florence Nightingale won the plaudits
and admiration of the world, but the
war for Liberty and Union has brought to
the surface vast army of Nightingales,
whose hearts yearn toward those who
suffer.
1t is folly for any individual to stand
back with folded arms and say he is in
disposed to act because he has heard the
supplies furnished do not reach those
for whom they are designed. Suppose
that but the half we contribute relieves
our sick and wounded soldiers, is there
not sufficient inducement to continue
our good work? We know, how
ever, that the machinery of our Sanitary
organizations is now so perfected and
simplified that the peoples contribu-
tons are faithfully distributed.
Another feature of this great work is
its tendency to unite the hearts of the
people in this great struggle. 1t affords
Il platform upon which all may stand
with equality. Whatever views may be
entertained of the justice or injustice OF
the war for the Union, no man can for
get that the men who fight our battles
are our neighbors, friends and relatives,
and that they entered the army from
patriotic motives. Here, then, we can
all meet and engage in a work of mercy
and humanity.
But we are DEPRESSING from our origi-
nal purpose when we sat down. We
are happy to announce that the people
of adjoining counties are earnestly en-
gagged in making the Sanitary Fair, to
be held in this city next month, COM
plete success. From the larger CONNER
cial cities liberal contributions are being
daily forwarded. There is but little
anxiety on our part relative to the inter
est manifested in the approaching Fair
by the patriotic people of other counties.
We must, however, appeal most earnest
ly to the people of Muscatine county to
do their full share, and see that they
spare no effort to crown with success the
| Christian efforts of those who have
taken the lead in this work.
| Men and women of Muscatine county,
YOU cannot do too much toward reliev-
| ing the brave men who are now suffer
ing from disease and wounds i'll oul
army hospitals. A number of your
friends have banded together, willing to
assume all the cares, duties and respon-
sibilities incident to great Fair. They
are not only willing to do all the labor,
but are devoting their time and prepar-
ing most muniticent donations for the
Fair. Will you do less? You have u
local interest in the success OF this Fair.
1t has been undertaken by your neigh
bOrs. Don't allow it to be Il failure for
want Of interest on your part. Through
your patriotism and noble efforts our
county has been and still is recognized
as the "Banner War County" Will
you sustain your proud record, or will
YOU have it said that some other county
did more for the sick and wounded he
roes of the Republic than they who had
as much individual interest beside To-
cal pride to maintain. We appeal to you
once more to go earnestly at work. Let
every clergyman from his desk, on Sun.
day next, appeal to his people. Lei
every man, woman and child appeal tt
neighbOrs, and so, by united effort, give
SUCCESS to the Fair.