The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-03-22
DUTY OF OHIO TO HER SOL
4aASA DIERS.
Interesting Message from Governor Brough.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT ONO,
COLUMBUS, March IL, 1864.

|
Some weeks since I delegated @, M. Gen.
era Barlow to visit a number OF Western Hos
pitfalls, and report the general condition Of our
soldiers therein. Returning from his fist tour,
he has furni:hed me report OF his observa.
lions, which, as il containse large amount Of
interesting information, i herewith transmit it
10 your honorable body. Having but one copy
Of the document; enclose IL TO the Senate.
1t is gratifying TO be assured in SO respc pcns-
bic manner, that tho provisions made BY t5e
General Government Tor the care and comfort
Of our soldiers in hospitals, is so ample in its
character, aud that the hospitals, themselves
are under judicial and humane management.
This assurance will give great relief to the
minds Of our people; aud command alike
their gratitude aud renewed efforts to sustain
their Government. have been anxious 10
arrive at tho truth in this respect. AT the
commencement ard during tho first year or
two of the war, the capacity Of the Govern
ment was not equal 10 the rapidly increasing
wants of its soldiers; and tie embarrassment
was increased by awant Of system iu the man.
agement of the medical department. have
known for some time past that tho head OF tho
War Department was laboriug earnestl, a
energetically TO extend and perfect this branch
ofthe service. And our people will rejoice at
the progress that has been made. ,.af
1t is the policy of the State to cooperate
through her own agents and oLherwise, with
all agencies that tend to relieve tho wants aud
mitigate the sufferings of our sick and wound.
ed men. AS the government is systematizng
and improving ita measures for this purpose,
] . bo ,ron Sfoto RI
carefully consider the proprie,y Of equal sys.
tenn and care on our own part. There should
be no abatement in our generous contribu'
tions for this purpose-no sectional divisions
or determinations between our own and the
soldiers Of other States; no jealousy, strife or
contention with any orgauIz,ticn, that is Ia
boring 10 tho same good work.
Yet our own soldiers shoald be an especial
object of our own caro-, and their wants be
first attended to. The work Of the Genersl
Sanitary Commission is mainly at the front,
where, except Immediately after battles, tho
arrangements and provisions OF the govern
ment, | am advised, are as perfect as at any
! Of the home hospitals The Commission
should receive liberal share Of our contri.
buttons, and be aided in their labors. But
am satisfied that all contributions Of our
people should not be thrown into this com.
mon fund. The Western Sanitary Commits
sion is laboriug 10 special field and hos.
pitals where we constantly have men. They
should participate in our m ans. Indiana
has her State Sanitary Commission into which
all her means are aggregated and generally
distributed by Central Board Of Managers,
either through their own or State Agents in
such manner as to care first Indiana soldiers
but let no other States soldiers suffer, if
other means are not at hand to relieve him.
These contributions, raised by the State
Sanitary Commission, ere forwarded and dis
uibuted at the several points by agents paid
for their services by the State, and thus The
burthcn is equalized. The result is that In.
diana soldiers are admirable cared for. So
far rs that State is concerned their local sys.
tenn, and that Of tho General Sanitary Com.
mission are working well together. l earnest
ly d. sire to see the same principles adopted
| in Ohio, by which the very large controtu.
tions of our people may be aggregated, con
trolled and distributed by central board rep.
escnlipg the various branches of the State
Sanitary organization; and their distribution
made effective through the Military Claims
Agents Of the State, except such portion as
the board may see proper to award TO the
General Sanitary Commission There are
many reasons why this is desirable:
First, What the exception of brief periods
after battles, il is evident that there is less
necessity for aid at the trout, and moro for
assis, ance in hospitals and at home; and this
disparity is constantly increasing. With an
accurate know ledge Of the respective wants, n
proper Discrimination can be made. j"
Second, Tho value 'ofrelief' is greatly en-
hanced by knowledge OF the proper mode Of
extending it, and the appropriate means to be
used. Certain articles arc moro valuable
than CT eTs, if carefully distributed. Hospi-
tails need clothing moro than anything else,
for soldiers are there without descriptive lists
and cannot draw clothing. Luxuries aLd
pe,ishable articles arc rot permitted at hospit
ais, aud do very little good at the 'front.'
Many other articles of food are desirable, both
in hospitals and fields, but they are Of class
rarely sent. We want system in this partic
ular, and our people will cheerfully work TO it i.
Third, Oar soldiers desire, and we should
cultivate bond Of sympathy between them
and the State. They want to know and feel
that their own State is watching over them,
aud caring for them, and tina. -wbe doing
this well, they will be justly proud Of that
Safe is also aiding in the work Of caring for
all y '' SO
Many other points might be suggested, if
space permitted: among which, and Of some
Importance, is that we can organize through
our own agents perfect system Of accouna-
bity, and at The same time, Of reports that
will be valuable in the progress Of the work.
This proposition does not necessarily imply
any hostility to the United States Sanitary
Commission. They have done good work,
and are, no doubt, doing now. Let them 60
on with it, and Of our abundance, ifit exceed
the wants of our own soldiers. we will contrib.
ute 10 it,. But we should seek frst "ahe cal
vation Of our owo household" and VIC should
not delegate trust, that We are bound by ev.
cry obligation of duty to administer ourselves.
General Barlow alludes to the universal de-
sire Of Ohio soldiers to be transferred TO hos
ptals in their own State. This has been a
matter of much soictudc on my part, and Of
correspondence with tho War Department.
One great difficulty is the want ofbospita &C
cominoda,ions in the Stat,. Points nearest
the scenes Of war, have naturally enough,
been FIRST provided in this particular. Still q
judicous distribution Of men would send ina