The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-02-20
TO THE PEOPLE OF MAINE.

TO THE PEOPLE OF MAINE.
Brethren and Sisters:-More than three mir
lions ofour own people have just been deliver
ed from bondage. They are crying to God for
help.
Heretofore the great producing class of the
South, whose blood and sinews have been
transmitted into incalculable wealth, the ma
ton now owes them debt of gratitude for
benefits conferred and of justice for wrongs in
flicted. which can be discharged only by con-
tributing to their enlightenment and eleva-
ton, which will save them from becoming
helpless outcasts and public burden.
What they need now is employment and
education; such employment as they have
heretofore been familiar with, and such edu-
cation as shall tit them for working to greater
advantage, not only for themselves but for 9TH
ers. 'a 5Tui b. 1g9 Tla Iu l9isf
But how shall this be done? How shall a
nation be led full out of darkness into Gods
marvellous light? How fed, unless windows
are opened in Heaven and tables spread in the
wilderness by unseen hands? how clothed,
unless by miracle? uf
The answer is at hand. We have the tri-
umphant experience of four long years to
prove that if miracles are needed, even mira
cles will be wrought by our Heavenly Father,
for these poor, suffering, helpless children
Have not the people moved together, as with
the heart of one man, through succession of
terrible disasters and glorious triumphs-not
in the field of battle only, but on the field of
death, in hospitals and prison houses, through
famine, pestilence and appalling dangers for
the help of suffering humanity; lavishine mi,
lions OF wealth, and many lives at every ncst
Of danger, and clothing the naked and feeding
the hungry without stint or stay9 ST., ...t =,
Hoping and believing that if we do not
faint, our Heavenly Father viii not fail to
strengthen us, and to work other wonders for
his people, we, the undersigned, representing
hundreds of others whose names do not an
pear, and may never appear but in the Lambs
Book of Life, we now appeal to you, our brett :
zen and sisters, the sons and daughters of
Maine, and beseech you to hear the cries of a
nation ready to perish. VIII you not come over
and help them? p a-l'-l5ti 1sl4oG ~ esA
Our plan is to send them teachers: a GREAT
body of jealous and earnest Christian men and
women to prepare the way; and as we would
not say to the hungry, be We fed, nor to the
naked, be ye clothed, to send them such cloth
ing and such food as may be contributed from
cur abundance, or if need be- from our neces-
slties. Others are doing this all over the land.
By timely cooperation we may now do with
little comparative matter, what, if the oppor-
tunity be overlooked, 1t may soon be impossi-
BILE to do at any cost. ~ $50. 80
But how shall the funds be raised?r We
propose to do it by FREEDMEN's FAIR to be
opened in Portland on Monday the twenty
sixth of this month and to be continued nioht
and day for sohole week. q A.a ,'1j Sd
We ask your contributions in peace, as we
have hitherto asked for them in war. and new
er in vain. And we ask not only your contri-
buttons in merchandise and farm-produce but
for your personal presence and cooperation
your presence and that of your families here.
and your cooperation with your neighbors and
friends everywhere. Perhaps the following
extract from circular published Jan. Goth,
may be of use in guiding the charity we solic-
it: lass ii2h 81" sid
"Any saleable articles will be accepted and
those f,prime use of course will be preferred.
Merchandise, wares, and manufactured goods
ofevery description; all farm produce, such as
grain, apples, potatoes, and vegetables of all
kinds will be acceptable, and meet ready
sale. TO families in the city, as well as in the
adjoining towns, the committee appeal with
confidence for meats and poultry, cooked or
uncoOked, milk and cream, eggs, cake, pastry
bread, butter, cheese, and fruit, prepared or
osherwlse.N os 3lai bus Ijilai .aillaaaf 40 gao
And now, we have only to add that all arti-
cles intended for the Fair should be addressed
"Freedmen's, Fair, City Building, Portland,
care Of the Mayor" and to ask for your pray
ers that we may be prospered in this great I'M
dertaking, and that you may be abundantly
rewarded here and hereafter 71'A1al -1o2 Il
Executive Committee. I'D A
Miss Harriet Howe, Alfred Woodman, 81
Mrs. r. o. Libby, F. E. Pray, .l,ss
Mrs. 81. N. Jose, Jacob Nc Llellan,
Mrs. Chas. Holden, Jonas 81. Perley,
Mrs. L. D. Shepley, MA. Foster. .-.