The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-16
Shall we have a Sanitary Fair.


SpuRwISK.
Shall we have a Sanitary Fair,
TO the Editor of the Press:
Allow me by the assistance of your paper
TO arouse, if may be, an interest in cause
which seems TO me TO be at once one most in
teresting and important; namely, that ofhold-
in aid of the soldiers. Cincinnati, Washing
ton or Boston we are not, and thus We may
not be able to have it said at the close Of our
labors, that we have given hundred or more
thousands TO diminish the sufierngs of our
army land for that reason there are those who
would rather not give at all than present
humble offering. But believe in doing the
best we can. Even Portland as a city might
arouse the gratitude Of many a suffering SOL
der by her efforts in his behalf; and Maine as
State might do work which, when finished,
would win high sounding name, fsuch were
more to be desired than the knowledge that
the labor had given back few sick ones to
life, or made more comfortable those whose
fate it is to die for their country
Every one who visited the great Sanitary
Fair in Boston must have been surprised and
delighted at the magnificence and complete
ness with which the arrangements were per-
fected. Such glorious mosaic as Industry,
Charity, Patience and Patriotism there exhib-
tied only those who witnessed its wonders
can imagine. But being one of State whose
name was silent in the great enterprise, felt
sense of regret that some of those among us
who are ever so ready with their time, means
and strength, to do for the soldiers, should not
have taken part in the so-called Ner England
Fair at Boston. But from my regret arose the
thought that perhaps there was in reserve for
us a large field of operation in which all the
willing hands and generous souls of Maine
should plant seed which might in early spring
or summer yield golden harvest to the sick
and wounded soldier. II was on my first visit
to Music Hall that the idea, the hope, and the
conviction that our State might lay a noble
offering OH the shrine of Patriotism, possessed
my mind, and the determination to use all the
influence could command in advancing the
project, grew stronger aud stronger at each
succeeding visit made the Fair, and all ofmy
time while there was devoted TO the careful
examination of its characteristics, that l might
be enabled to aid in forming the groundwork
of our own. And the more inquiries made
of the manager the more smooth seemed the
way to our success. saw not then and see
not now one obstacle before which the most
doubling and suspicious ought to hesitate.
Everything is at our command. The City
Building with its many resources, hundreds Of
materials purchased from their own purses or
from money given ~ them for the purpose, by
those who can give but cannot work merchants
who would contribute one or more articles
TO swell the receipts Of the Fair artists
who would think their4Uncil nobly employed
in sketcning for the cause--authors, who
would not hesitate to give page Of their rare
est manuscripts and celebrates who would
think themselves famed in signing their names
over aud over again to coli, money from
autograph-artizans who would send in count
less evidences of their skill - Farmers who
would contribute freely of their produce
manufacturers OF their wares-and musicians
who would gladly harmonic the whole BY
their music.
One can only compare the exhibition in
Boston TO grand Mechanics Fair where all
artisans had contributed their own iavorite
works and amateurs had sent their pet arti-
Giles of yirtu, TO enhance the beauty Of the
scene. Let us found our Fair on the same
principles. We have some months to. pass
before the most favorable time for such an
occasion. Let us at once organize a Commit
tee for the direct management of the Fair
and call on our sister cities and towns 10
aid us in the work. Let all the schools,
public and private, the orphan asylum, school
Of correction, the prisons and indeed all asso-
Citations labor for the success of the enter
prise. Let there be Amateur Theatricals,
Representations, Promenade Concerts and
Leyees given during the winter, and the pro-
ceeds devoted to the purchase of articles for
the Fair. In fine, let every man, woman and
child In the state, give, work, or beg for the
Maine Sanitary Fair. ONWARD.
PORTLAND, Jan. 18th, 1864.