The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-07-20
The National Sailors Fair.


We published few days since, q circular
10 behalf OF the NATIONAL SAILORS FAIR,
to be held in Boston in November, the pro-
ceeds of which are to be invested in Home
for disabled sailors, marines, and others OF
our naval service. l. is most worthy and
needfal charity, and 1t becomes the patriotic
and philanthropic people of our sea-bordered
State, SO many of whose sons are In this arm
of the national service, to take hold OF it
earnestly and generously. We know how
liberal and constant have been their contribu-
tons in behalf of the soldier, who by his valor
and devotion, has earned all and more than all
that his fellow citizens have done or can do
for him and the willing spirit and the untir-
ing purpose to provide for the wants of the
soldier which have been so nobly manifested,
are among the most cheering and hopeful OF
the signs Of the times, for they assure us that
the nation will live.
But how little comparatively, in these three
years OF suffering and trial, and of grand
charities, has been done for, or thought OF the
equally faithful and heroic seaman! Having
no open enemy upon the ocean, the members
of the navy have had but few opportunities TO
perform brilliant actions, and from their being
placed beyond the lines of easy and frequent
communication with our centers of news and
information, their exposure, their sdaerings,
their fidelity, and their passionate love OF the
old flag, have not been understood or acknowl
edged as they should have been.
In explanation of the object OF this enter
prise and the reasons which have led to its
Inauguration, we subjoin from the Boston
Transcript an article written by Z. P. Whip
pie, Esq, to which we beg TO call the atten-
ton OF our readers. And it is with great
pleasure that we announce that in this city
the matter has been placed in the charge of a
most competent committee, consisting of Mrs.
J. B. Brown, Mrs j. 5. Little. and Mrs. Il. /.
Robinson, whose names will be guaranty
that our city will be faithfully and honorably
represented at this great Fair OF New Eng
land aud the North:
NATIONAL SAILORS FAIR.--A vigorous
and earnest effort is now in the course o. be-
ing made, having Tor its object the establish
ment of HOME FOR DISABLED SAILORS
AND MARINES of our Naval Service, aud
proposing Tor its means great National Sal
lors' Fair, TO be held in Boston in the early
part of November next. The ladies and gen
tlemen connected with the enterprise hope to
enlist in It's favor all classes Of their fellow
citizens, and to be aided in their work by rep
reseniatiyes of every branch of mechanical,
manufacturing, commercial and professional
business.
The Navy of the United States, at the be-
ginning OF this war consisted OF only 30 yes
ssIs, manned by 1900 sailors; at the present
time IL contains 337 vessels OF sll kinds, en-
ploying between $1,000 and 10000 officers and
men; and the ships of large Tonnage, now in
the course of construction. will soon add so
largely TO the naval force, both in vessels and
seamen, US TO make the United States the first
naval power of the world. As IL Is, the navy
oil England, excluding the Coast Guard Ser
vice, employs only $4,000 seamen, aud that of
France only $4,000. Ia less than a year, our
navy will have in its active service at least
5000 men, or nearly nine times the number
il had on the breaking out OF the war.
The present arrangement OF the Govern
ment for sick, manned and disabled seamen
aud others OF the Navy and Marine Corps. are
altogether inadequate to meet the exigencies
OF the present war. and the claims which
spring IRON tie vast increase OF our naval
power. A sa lor can be admitted into the Ma
val Asylum at Philadelphia only after ser
wee OF twenty years. Ifinsane he can be put
into the Army aud Naval Asylum at Washing
ton. Ii sick or wounded, he Is discharged
from the Naval Hospital when Gu ed, or,it
may be, when pronounced incurable. For
the immense majority of cases,-of which
some distressing examples have come within
the knowledge OF the ladies and gentlemen
connected with the proposed Fair,-the exist
ing rules of the service makes no provision.
A sailor whose constitution has been hopeless
iy shattered by disease or exposure is cast
upon the world, helpless aud without the
means Of getting crust Of bread except from
charity. 1.-The has been disabled by wounds
be is allowed pension, but one entirely in
sufficient for his comfortable support.
Ii is evident that such a state OF things OPP
crates disastrously against enlistments in the
Navy, and the keeping up of our Naval Fo ce
to It's full efficiency The service must be pop
ularized, as lhel military service has been, by
demonstration of interest in our gallant tars
on the part ofthe whole community, and by
practical movement to relieve the misery OF
those who have been manned or broken in
constitution in their countrys service. 1t is
evident that arrangements, suitable Tor pc
Rod when the nation was at peace andempoy-
ed only 1900 sailors, cannot meet the necessi-
ties III a pelkBt Hilcti - at Ndts
andrequires q, 600 sesmen. We have sprung,
as by magic, 10 the position ola naval power
of h. first rank, without thought Of the oh
legations, both of beneyolence and jus ic
which such position creates,
. The present movement for great National
Sailors Fair is on a scale proportionate to the
important object sought TO be obtained. IT
is warmly recommended by the m, st promi-
nent men in the community, and is managed
by Committee trained for the work bv pre-
vious experience in great Fairs. TIE Boston
Academy of Music has been hired for the
purpose. Nearly hundred Sub Committees
have been appointed, representing every class
and interest in the community, TO solicit mon
ey or articles of taste and utility of their
friends and connections As Massachusetts
has nearly $4,000 men In the Navy, aud as the
New England States taken together must
have contributed moro than a third OF the
whole naval force, every seaport town, every
village and locality, in the State and in New
England. has an interest in the success of the
Fair. and will be counted on for active sympa-
thy In the cause. The Committee confidently
hope 10 obtain sum sufficiently large TO es-
tablish a great Sailors Home, which. while II
shall relieve seamen who have suffered and sa-
crificed everything in the nations service,
will. at the same time, symbolic the nations
gratitude for the deeds of its defenders on the
seas.
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