The Portland daily press., 1865-04-04
An Appeal to the Public for the Maine
Camp Hospital Association.

Now, while perhaps the last fearful battles
for our country are being fought, the mem
bers Of the Maine Camp Hospital Association
earnestly ask of the citizens of Portland and
OF Maine, to fill their exhausted treasury.
Shall we ask in vain, not only making sad the
hearts of those who have labc req untiringy
and without intermission for their dear coun-
try, but likewise making sick the souls of
thousands OF brave suffering boys, who have
never yet sought in vain for relief at their
hands?
Nearly all of the Northern and Western
States have their agencies to look particularly
after the welfare of their own soldiers. 1t is
gan and New Hampshire, in the tender care
OF her sons. Do you think they love their
country less because there are those in the mar
row circles of home praying and working for
them through all their terrible deprivations
Are they not truer and better men through
the knowledge that their State watches over
them with peculiar care? Does not the con-
seriousness of individual remembrance and be-
lief in them, lift them into higher aspirations
But let it never be forgotten that while the
particular province of this Association is to
minister to the Maine Soldiers no other sol
der Is passed by; all who are suffering are
supplied; all who apply are kindly welcomed,
and kindly cared for. In continuing our ap
peal we use the words of another.
81 wish to enjoin upon every man, woman
and child the duty of continuing labors, and
bounties for the soldiers beneft.rI know that
the war has almost become an old story, but
old story or not, it is terrible story. It is
not mere mathematical question of so many
animals called men, pitted against SO many
others, as we are inclined to think when we
read the news. 1t is 80 many brothers, sons,
husbands, and fathers, walking for US through
the valley and the shdow of death.
"A battle is not mere book-keepel's account
upon which we cast up the column and draw
balance between gain and loss. 1t is SO
much patriotism exhibited, SO much heroism,
SO much agony, so many dying thoughts of
the loved ones never to be seen again, so many
children's parents with grey hairs going down
with sorrow to the grave. Now to ask you
earnestly to do more, and to continue to do
more is certainly not unjust. do not know
how well you have done, but know you have
not done enough; for you cannot do enough
for those who are standing living wall be-
tween you and ruin, desolation, and the most
fearful tyranny which ever cursed mankind
slaveholding oligarchy. You have not suffer
ed the first real hardship for those whose lives
are continual hardships. Would the annual
contribution of e-tenth be too generous
return to those to whom you owe the security
and peace which secure that income? And
lett me ask that woman, young or old, who
never denies herself an Establishment. who
never. meets with the aid society, whether the
cares and occupations which she pleads as an
excuse, would stand between her and an hour
of pleasure? Whether weekly ride or walk
of a mile or two is too great a privation for the
sake of those who march for DAYS and weeks
under hot suns, and through driving storms
And is an afternoons work to be grudged
to those who have lain all night in their own
blood upon the frozen ground with only the
sky for covering.
Il would appeal to those who estimate
everything by dollars and cents; whose only
idea of the war is, that it is vast expense.
and who count as its greatest evil and per
haps its only result an immense increase of
taxation. Some day if you withhold your hand
you will bitterly rue your seltishness, when
the soldiers return to hear what you have
not done and even now, though you may not
know it your more generous neighbors are
pointing the finger of scorn at YOU"
Let all these considerations which we have
quoted from the words of another, impel you
to give generously to this Association, which
commands the earnest concentrations of SOL
diers and officers alike. Any donations of
money or stores to Mr.. Geo. W. Woodman,
Mr.. Geo. R. Davis, or Mr.. Abner Lowell Twill be
directly and carefully appropriated for the SOL
diers. PER ORDER.