Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1865-12-01
An Appeal in Behalf OF the Freedmen.
DUBUQUE, Iowa, Nov. l5th 1862.
To the Cht,rcheS and Friends

To the Chwches and Friends
Of he Freedmen in Io,ra:
The Western Department of the Amer
lean Freedmen's Aid Commission at
Chicago has recently issued circular
in which an affecting appeal is made for
the means to extend and prosecute its
blessed work in behalf of the freed peo-
pie. 1t says:
1t must be frankly stated that n point
has been reached beyond which the
Commission cannot prudently move
without an immediate and generous
response to this call for help.
Applications for Teachers come by al
most every mail from the Agents of the
Freedmen's Bureau and the Superin-
tendents of our Schools; these appeals
are from Missouri, Arkansas, Mississip-
pi, Georgia and Texas at the same
time we have the names of scores of ex-
perienced Teachers, Christian men and
women, who are ready to be sent to any
point in the South where their Iabors
are needed-but how shall they be sent? =?
The demand upon the Treasures of
the Societies herein represented has
been constant during the Summer to
sustain the more permanent work, such
AS Asylums and those Schools which it
was necessary to continue, so that there
has not been an accumulation of funds
for the Treasury of the Department
equal TO the demands of the new school
year. There are T.tnin the Western
Department :"5uye one hundred Com
missioned Teachers, sent to various
points in the Mississippi Valley, and
sustained at u much greater outlay than
when transportation, rations and quar-
! ters were furnished by the government
In view of the obligations already as.
sumcd we have not the means to eXtend
the work.
The number Of Teachers in the field
should be increased; there is scarcely 6
point where the present corps does not
need to be reinforced; the new fields
which are opening should be occupied
and all this ought to be done ut once
| The earnest and well-advised friends oil
the Freedmen everywhere feel that the
| present season is the all important one.
Gen. Sprague, Assistant Commission
er of the Freedmcn's Bureau for Mis-
souri, and Arkansas, in an appeal to this
Office for Teachers for Jefferson City,
says: 81 regard it as very important
that good Schools for ColOrcd Children
be established in the central part of this
State. More can be accomplished by
prompt action NOR IN occupying the
ground than by a much greater outlay
of means and effort at any time in the
future" This sentiment is reiterated
in every call for Teachers that comes
from the South.
In some instances assurances are CIV
en- that the Teachers will he supported
after reaching the field; in others a par
tial support has been promised; some
of the best Teachers who have applied
for appointments offer their services
gratuitously for three or six months,
provided their expenses be paid; thus
the fields are white already to the har-
vest-the laborers are ready to enter
them, but the Commission cannot bid
them 20 for want of the means to send
them.
In this juncturc, so pressing and SO
Important, we turn to the friends of the
cause--eyen to those who have given 50
freely I'm the past, and to those who
hitherto have given freely and labored
devotedly for the benefit of our soldiers
and ask for the means at once needed
for the work. Will not each Auxiliary
Society to which this paper comes make
an immediate and special effort, and
also forward, without delay, any means
on hand-will not each friend here adj
dressed make it personal matter to
aid us ut Once--remembering that every
delay does retard and may defeat our
efforts for the elevation OF the colored
race.
In response to this appeal it is pro-
posed that collection be taken in eve
ry congregation in the West on the day
of our National Thanksgiving, and the
amount raised be sent without delay to
tile Commission.
rrha (tbnrnbae, ,c Tn,,,c c~o ,l<x<,:.oJ t1,
join in this general movement, and the
estly requested to explain to their peO-
pie the nature and necessities of our
work, and ask of their congregations
liberal contribution. Newspapers are
desired to give this circular q place in
their columns, and otherwise call the
Of their readers to this matter.
The people of Iowa have demonstrate
ed their Willingness to bear their full
share of the burdens and sacrifices incl
dent to the great conflict with Slavery, |
and we are confident they will continue |
TO do SO until the grand work is con-
The South accepts the perpetuity of
0ur government as decree of PTOvi- |
dence, but she is as far as she ever was /
from any intention of comforting the |
blessings of education or the benefits of
equal laws upon her former slaves /
This whole work Of fitting them for the |
enjoyment of the priceless boon of lib
erty devolves upon their friends in the |
North. While we give thanks for Ma
.i0nal blessings and pray for deliverance
rom National transgressions, shall we
not remember the poor slave, so long the
victim of our great National sin.
TosayOid confusion and secure prompt
and publication of all
1t is the desire of the |
Commission that all remittances from 1
his State should be made to the Iowa
agents. From that part of the State
IOuth OF the NJ. & NJ. II. II. to Rev. NJ.
Bigger, Agent of American Frecdmen's
Aid Commission, Washington, Iowa;
md from all points north of that road
o Rev. K. S. Norris, Agent American
Ereedmen's Aid Commission, Dubuque,
lowa. When 1t is not convenicnt to send
trait send currency by erpress
II