Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-01-31
The Confederate Dead.

The following suggestions from the Nash
vile Union and American, one of the ab!es
and best of our exchanges, will commend
themselves to every humane and benoyolen
heart: " We frequently meet with poems
and other tributes to the Confederate Dead.
Whilst the dead who sacrificed their lives
for the principles which were presented te
them in the late war, are entitled to our ad
niration and gratitude, and to a perpetual
place in the memory of the Southern people,
there is yet living duty resting upon US
The widows and orphans, now suffering for
the necessaries of life, and thousands of main
ed survivors, call for our respect and sympa.
thies. Ia all of the Legislatures Of the South
ern States, we have witnessed with gratiG
cation movements looking to the smeioration
{ of these classes. Our failure places our Grip
pies beyond the pale of assistance by the
Federal government. Nopensions, no boun-
ties, no land grants insure to them. The
decrepid Confederate soldier must rely upen
the kindness of friends. The empty sleeve
and the absent leg must:be supplied by the
kindly offices of the more fortunate. Hap
PLY, in this work of charity there need enter
no political question.
The war is over, and whilst the govern
ment can take care Of the unfortunates, who
were manned in its defence, those of the other
side fall upon the list which addresses itself
10 the feelings of abstract humanity and pri.
vate charity. There are cases in which the
benevolent feelings of human nature are en-
listed, without regard to the. causes of the
misfortune. There is-scarcely city, toYn,
village or hamlet in the South in which there
arc not representatives of the miseries and.
.misfortunes Of war. tits due to the better
impulses ofhuman nature, that these suffer-
ers be relieved. Let us not forget these du.
ties and obligations. These cold and cheer
less winds of December remind Us forcibly
Of these claims, and enforce them upon our
consideration and attention. Let not the
higher and kindier qualities Of our nature
fail to assert themselves, while there are so
many objects of eur tender regard"
=. In this connection We note with pleasure
the establishment of q Southern Soldiers Re
lief Association in Memphis, with some of
the most estimable men of Tennessee as
board of trustees, who have assumed control
Of the enterprise.
The Appeal, in alluding TO this institution,
makes some touching illusions to the gallant
men who became MANNED for life iu our be.
half and who now deserve we'll Of our people.
"Where can the shattered victims of the
lost cause look for support, but to those who
hoped and worked with them? Whose hearts
should warm to them so tenderly, as we who
came out of the battle with stroDg limbs and
unbroken health2 We too might have been
s has bssss soaa lsa but thesgeode
work, and after awhile, when we have accu.
mulated property, it will be forgotten that we
were "rebels," and we will take our places
with the happy and honored of the country
But for the battered soldiers of the Oonfede
racy there is no forgetfulness. Unpeusioned
and unhonored, except as they are persioned
and honored by the love ard charity of their
more fortunate companions in tke great strug.
gle, they must 60 battling to the grave; Let
us pension them, ard houor them with bound
less charity and kindly love-"
These gallant men have holy claims on
the fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters of
those 10 whom the blind bullet was, more
kind, and who sleep the noble soldiers sleep
on the battle field, who have escaped the hu
nlllanon OF having the wounds and poverty
OF the wornout soldier without either country
or fag.
"These brave men have claims upon tic
whole world for the lessons of bravery and
devotion which their undauuted conduct will
teach the patriot in all time to come.
)" Our people are opening their hands mcst
literally to this holy charity, anda few weeks
the hopes of the excellent men and women
who have taken the lead, will be gratifled by
seeing every helpless Confederate soldier
within cur reach, fed and clothed. The Rev.
DR.. Knott is the agent of The society. He
IS devoting his entire time to its interests, and |
incidentally to the great work Of founding
.he permanent Home; he is gathering up and
giving Temporary relief to those who arc
working their tedious ways to their homes.
Whilewe pray God to bless, let us help the
wounded Confederate soldier who has no
home and resource"