The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-10
LADIES' SOUTHERN AID ASSOCIATION.

LADIES' SOUTHERN AID ASSOCIATION.
A number of southern women in Mis-
sissippi have formed themselves into q
Ladies' Southern Aid Association" q
branch of which is to be established in
each of the late Confederate states, the
principal object Of which is to raise o
fund that will place the wife and children
of Jefferson Davis above the possibility
of want or dependence upon the charity
of friends. The promoters of this move
ment sta to that sit Is not only noble
object, but debt the people of the South
owe to this unfortunate family, for Mr..
Davis risked and lost his liberty and
fortune in their cause" NIT. B. Clarke,
of Biloxi, Miss, is the Secretary and
Agent of the society, and he has request
ed Mrs. M. f. Clarke, of New Orleans,
to organize the branch for that city.
Through her efforts, society has been
formed, and some money has been
raised there. The method adopted to
raise money is by voluntary su6scrip.
ton and by the sale Of card photographs
of Mr.. Davis. The latter have the stamp
of the society upon the back, and are
disposed of at the rate of one dollar each
as the minimum price, In connection
with this matter, the New Orleans True
Delta publishes the following touching
and womanly letter from the noble wife
of Mr.. Davis" The Delta gives sit
uerbatin,, from the original, which is in
itspossession." 1t is the first time that
the letter has been made public:
MILL VIEW, "a, December 4, 1865
T. D. CLARKE, Esq, Secretary and Agent L. s.
Association:
My Dear Sir: l am in receipt of your
very kind letter in the namc "of the
Ladies' Southern Aid Association, -
having "for its object the purpose of
placing' me "and family iii circum-
stances somewhat commensurate with
their estimate of" mo and mine, and
begging that will, ut my earliest con-
venience, designate a place to which the
means SO collected may be conveyed, SO
that they may "safely and satisfacto-
rily" reach me.
From our desolated and impoverished
friends / scarcely expected such an ex-
preston of material sympathy, though
my powers of gratitude have been al
most daily taxed to thank those who
have, with SO much heart-eloquence,
plead with the President for him who,
though unsuccessful, has given you all
he cOuld-his best energies-and whose
only hope of future happiness lies in the
sweet trust, often expressed, that he has
not lost your confidence and love. Ig-
norant of all which his own people have
done for him in his painful captivity,
his devotion is undated. "The infer
tunate have always been deserted and
betrayed, but did ever man have less to
complain of when he had lost the
power to serve? The multitude are
silent why should they speak say to
Hin who hears best the words 80 Sc
eretly uttered? My own heart tells me
tile sympathy exists-that the prayers
from the family hearth are not hushed
Be loving and cOnfiding still to those
from whom l have received much more
than deserve far more official hOnors
than l ever desired. Those for whose
cause suffer are not unworthy of the
devotion of all which had to give.n
This is the message of love which is
sent through prison gates to our own
people. say our people, because both
of us has been broug bit up with you,
and was born in Mississippi, the others
came to her in infancy. These are
my own people, and it is privilege
of which no change of circumstances
c,n deprive me. To the accepted pray
ers of our widows and orphans, our suf-
fering but heroic women, our brave and
true men, our innocent little children, l
look for the restoration to my little chill
dren of their agOnized but Christian
father. fla merciful Providence so or
lain it, we hope to live and die among
you, mutually cOnsoling and bearing
each others burthens. pray God we
may not be driven forth from the home
IF our childhood, "fOr how can we sing
our own song ia a strange land ?' We
would not have our dear friends betrayed
by their sympathy into offering, for our
use, too much from their own "basket
and store" 1 and mine have, so far,
been miraculously cared for and shield
ed from want. We seem ever envi-
faned by the love which, is reflected
upon us from that which lighted my
husband in his dungeon-sOftened his
prison walls with sunny pictures of low
ing eyes and outstretched arms.
Grief and gratitude seem to impose
upon me silence. I would, bnt cannot
say more. l will enclose within this
note the names and directions of gen.
tlemen to whom the contributions of
which you speak may be enclosed. And
instead Of the eloquent voice which 80
often has poured forth his love to his
dear people, now mute, / offer a wife's
and mothers and q country-wOman'
gratitude to you and those you repre-
sent.
have the honor to be, very gratefully.
and sincerely yours, 80
The following letter is from Georgia
lady:
AUGUSTA, GA, Dec. z, 1865.
r. B. Clarke, ESQ., Sec. and Agt L. 8. A. A., Biloxi,
DEAR SIR: Having seen your note to
Mrs. Jefferson Davis informing her of
The organization of u Southern Ladies'
Aid Association, for the purpose of
her and her little ones out of
the reach of want, and desiring to assist
in the very commendable work, would
be pleased to serve, if delegated by you,
for the State of GeOrgia-thinking
the appointment from the original
society organized in her state would
give prestige to my claims for the cause.
think there should be agents appoint
ed in every southern state. If you have
none for the Carolinas, permit me to