Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-12-10
The rreadmsp,s Ala Fair
70 The Women of Wisconsin, Ills eonseta Greet

+ Appeal, not because you are living at ease,
seeking your own pleasure, forgetful and neg
lectful OF your country and its suffering ones
but, because we believe that these latter days
have developed in you spirit as truly he.
roic, and selt-sacriAcing as that which immor-
talizes the fallen on the battlefield. Hearts
AID hands, that, four years ago, had scarcely
a feeling, or duty beyond self, and the home
circle, now thrill in sympathy with nations
suffering, and labor untiringly to supply ma
tion's wants. afE use
i The Sanitary and Christian Commissions
are household words--they form a part of
II your household cares; and it is we'll So let
them remain till the cries of our wounded
and dying soldiers are hushed by the pasns
OF permanent victory. e} e,tsa b n-.t
But, side by side with these, comes in quiz
city, yet inevitably, their younger sister, the
FREEDMEN'S AID COMMISSION. As
needy, as noble, as far-reaching in its chari-
ties, its claims must be heard and met. And
what are its claims? Let US for a moment
consider them.
1t pleads for soldiers, but not for those who
have gone out from our happy northern
homes, panoplied by the prayers and tears and
homage OF mothers, wives, and friends. to
lay down their lives, if need be, for country
that has filed those lives with blessings but,
for two hundred thousand soldiers that come
from 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,
| a ransom for these same loved ones. Do we
owe them nothing in return? Can we offer
them less than the right hand of Fellowship,
as men, as brothers, with the opportunities
of mental and moral improvement which
have made us what we are? These, the
Freedmen's Aid Commission is endeavoring
| to supply.
1t pleads also for soldiers families, but not
for 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 brief, is the plea of the Freedmen's
Aid Commission. We commend it to all to
those, first, who have so often opposed eman-
cipation with the problem-what will you do
with three or four millions 0fignOrant, degrad
ed slaves? We return it with the question
what can be done with them? Whether we
win 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 a 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 triumphal process
sion of the ages.
With this brief appeal we introduce the
following
/ The North estern Freedm en- g Aid Commission,
/ being in need of funds, have made arrangements
for Fair, to be held in Chicago, Dec. 20th-24th,
to which they invite the peration of all friendly
| to the cause. The ladies OF Milwaukee, in duly no
| titled meetings, have appointed an Executive Com
mittee, representing each ward and suburb, with
4 President, Secretary and Treasurer, SO that the
| whole city may be thoroughly canvassed, 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-
venient, 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
throughout the State, the wish has been expressed
/ by the Chicago Committee, that Wisconsin have
| department Of her own. The limited time gives
little opportunity for extended consultation, or
| the appointment Of proper State officers. The fol-
lowing simple basis has been proposed, which, if
eneraly acted upon, will insure the State fuller
representation than any one central organization
| could.
| list That the ladies of each city, village and
town, meet as soon as proper notice can be given
| of such meeting, local Executive Committee be
appointed.with President, Secretary and Treasurer;
/ and immediate measures be taken for 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 as 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,
with proper credentials, to constitute there a 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.
Sd. That some gentleman be employed as gene
raj State Agent, who will be in Chicago to receive
Il
| to the general business of the department
4th That this State Executive Committee re-
main in authority and responsibility till the bust
of the fair be fully completed, and the funds
| of the Wisconsin department be paid over to the
Treasurer of the Northwestern Freedmen's Aid
Commission. .,
5th. That each paper in the State be invited to
publish their earliest issue this appeal and cir
cular, so 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 as they have to
give, especially solicited.
9th. 1t is requested that persons sending articles
to Chicago for this department will send also
note list of the to the local Secretary
them, or to Mrs w. s. Hand, Secretary of the Mill
waukee Executive Committee, or the State Secre-
tary when appointed, so that every donation may
be duly registered.
7th. Packages should be plainly marked with the
names and residences OF the DONORS and addressed
to the Northeastern Freednen's Aid Commission,
Sc, Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois, for the
Far, Wisconsin Department."
should any further information be desired, let
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 ort their formation
the Secretary with list of their officers,
that we may be able to communicate with them If
necessary.
Finally, the time is 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 Ter It's
friends.
In behalf of the Milwaukee Executive Commit
tee. MRS. w. DEL0SS LOVE, President.
MRS. WINFIELD SMITH, Cor. sec'y.
Milwaukee, Nov. 22, 1854.
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