Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-15
THE GREAT BALTIMoRE SOUTHERN
RELIEF FAIR


The noble and generous ladies of Balti-
more, hearing of the distress of great num-
bers of the people of the Southern States,
occasioned by the late war, determined
sometime since to hold fair for the relief
of the desolate widows and destitute orphans
whose cries have penetrated the fair minds
and good hearts of the civilized world. 1t
was opened the week before the one just
closed, and continued till last Friday night.
The longer ii continued the greater it be-
came in enthusiasm, and in success. Scarce
ly county in Maryland failed to send con-
tributions, while Delaware, Pennsylvania,
New Jersey and New York added largely to
its success by visitors and valuable contri-
buttons. Several distinguished field officers
Of the Federal army, who had served in the
South and knew something Of the people
and still more of the real situation in which
the war lief: them, attended and contributed
handsomely to its object Even the gardens
Of the Executive mansion at Washington
sent basket of magnificent flowers to the
ladies in charge of the Floral Temple of the
Fair. Every day of the second week,
brought in donations Of nearly or quite as
much as was disposed of the night before.
At such a rate it would be difficult to tell
to. what length of time it might..not be pro-
tracted. -
OF the details the Baltimore papers bring
us very full and interesting accounts. Itisthe
chief topic of interest and conversation.
Several of the New York papers have
special correspondents on the ground, who
all speak Of it as magnificent success.
Below we copy from the Baltimore Gazette
such meagre extracts as we can find room
for, and regret that we cannot furnish our
readers with the entire proceedings. 1t is
gratifying to observe that this grand benevo-
lence is sustained by many of the good peo-
pie of the North, who were most bitterly
and violently opposed to the South during
the war but come as cheerfully to recog-
nize misfortune and cherish common
brotherhood, as they sustained the cause of
the Union in the day of passion and peril.
This is the road to peace, and not only to
restored Union, but to restored affections.
The sincere gratitude of the entire South
ern people is due to the ladies of Baltimore,
and the people over whom they have brought
the spirit of charity and goodwill.
The Gazette of Tuesday says:
The close of the first week of the fair
has fully demonstrated the success of the
undertaking. 1t is, in fact, unparalleled.
The daily receipts at the door continue to be
at least twice as large as was anticipated,
and the dense crowd which thronged the
hall on the opening night showed little
diminution at the close of the week. The
fair rooms have become place of daily re-
sort for those whose hearts sympathize with
suffering and distress and whose hands are
ready TO relieve. Never before was seen
such an array Of the beauty and loneliness
for which Baltimore has so long been
famous. 1t is literally "a rosebud garden
of girls" of which mere than one table may
fairly boast the honor of having its Queen
Rosebud" 1t would be no bad idea for
some enterprising artist to make a collection
of photographs and publish in book form
the Beauties of the Southern Relief Fair.
Never before were Beauty and Charity so
linked tOgether-never was Beauty more
benevolent-never was Charity more charm
ing.
The hall is filled with visitors each morn.
ing soon after its opening, and the crowd
gradually increases until o'clock, when
large numbers of people come in to dine.
The lunch room is admirably served and
the rates very moderate. Many persons
dine there daily during the fair. In the
main hall are several cake stands, ice cream
tables, soda and mead fountains and lemon
ade wells, which furnish an mex haustible
supply of refreshments. Many tables are
daily supplied with fresh flowers, the per-
fume OF which hangs heavy on the air
around them, and in the evening Il large
band of music adds to the general gaiety.
From dusk until ten o'clock the crowd of
visitors is so dense that business is virtually
stopped, except at the retreshment tables,
where persons take mOmentary refuge from
the crush of the moving mass.
The total amount in bank on Saturday
morning was $4,000. The receipts of Sat
urday will swell this considerably. The
money from several tables has not vet been
reported. The amount realized thus far may
be estimated at $4,000. OF this amount
probably $4,000 has been received for ticket
money. About eight thousand season tick
cts were sold, and the receipts at the door
haveranged daily from 81 400 to 81 900. Not
withstanding the sales already made, there
must still be on hand $50, 000worth of goods.
So large is the stock remaining unsold,
that the managers have determined to keep
the fair open during the present week till
Friday night
A very gratifying feature of the fair is
the constant development of traits of pri
vate benevolence and the manifestation of
generous impulses. OF many such instan
ces no record will be kept They are good
deeds dore in silence. On Saturday a lady
from Virginia took from her neck hand
some small chain, valued at 500, and laid
it as her contribution on the Delaware table.
The watch was only retained because it was
mementO. Her name is not known. In
an humber way a gentleman who had lost
everything in the war, contributed a gold
pencil as his mite. 1t was all that he had
TO give.
IA poor sewing girl, who had agreed to
do some work as her contribution, being I'M
able to finish it in time, sent the following
letter-which is itself a heart-treasure for
the Southern people,
SIR-As there is not sufficient time to
prepare any bazaar work before the 18th
inst, venture to enclose this little chain
and locket 1t is hardly worth sending,
but is almost the only ornament have
now. have nothing else to give the South
but my deepest love and my daily prayers,
and these were hers long ago. If it be pos
sible TO make the distinction, should be
glad to have this sent to Virginia.
Sincerely yours,
AN ENGLISH GIRL.
[Among the objects of interest the fol-
lowing are mentioned.
oLDEN TIME RELIC.
Mr.. John T. Watkins through Mrs. A.
d. Eger;on, has sent to the fair an ancient