The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-01-12
Ladies Southern Aid Associa On--Let
ter from Mrs. Jefferson Davis.


A most worthy enterprise indeed-one
which will require no earnest appeals to en-
list the warm support Of our peoples about
to be inaugurated in this city. A number Of
true-hearted Southern women in Mississippi
have formed themselves intoa Ladies South
ern Aid Association" branch of which is to
be established in each of the late Confederate
States, the principal object of which is to
raise fund that will place the wife and chill
dren of Jefferson Davis above the possibility
Of want or dependence upon the charity of
friends. 1t is not only noble object, but a
fortunate family, for Mr.. Davis risked and
lost his liberty and fortune in their cause.
. The method adopted to raise money is by
voluntary subscription 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 we lay be-
fore our readers the following touching and
womanly letter from the noble wife of Mr..
Davis:
MILL VIEW, Ga, Dec. 4th, 1865.
4, B. Clarke, Esq, Secretary and agent LIS
H. association
My Dear Sir.-I am in receipt of your very
kind letter in the name "of the Ladies' South
ern Aid Association me ''and family in cir
cumstances somewhat commensurate with
their estimate Of" me and mine, and begging
that will, at my earliest convenience, desig-
nate place to which the means SO collected
may be conveyed, 80 that they may safely
and satisfactorily" reach me.
4 LII =. !
scarcely expected such an expression of ma
terial sympathy, though my powers of graft
tude have been almost 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 ex-
pressed, that he bas not lost your conf
dence and love. Ignorantof all which bis
own people have done for him in his painful
captivity, his devotion is undated. " The
unfortunate have always been deserted and
betrayed, but did ever man have less to COM
plain of when he had lost the power to serve
The ssmulttllde aresilent why should they
speak save to Him who hears best the words
most secretly uttered? My own heart tells me
thesympathy exists-that the prayers from the
family hearth are not hushed Be loving and
confiding still to those from whom / have re-
caived much more than / deserve far more
official honors than ever desired. Those for
whose cause suffer are not unworthy of the
devotion of all which had to give" This is
tie message of love which is sent through pri.
son gates to our own people. say our peo-
pie, because both of us have been brought up
with you one of US was born in Mississippi,
the other came to her in infancy. These are
my own people, and it is a privilege of which
no change of circumstances can deprive me-
To the accepted prayers of our widows and
orphans, our suffering but heroic women, our
brave and true men, our innocent little chill
dren, look for che restoration to my little
children of their agonized but Christian father
If nerciful Providence SO ordan it, we hope
to live and die among you, mutually consol-
ing and bearing each others burthens. I
pray God we may not be driven forth from
the home of our childhood, 'for. how can we
sing our own song in 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" |
and mine have, so, far, been miraculously
cared for and shielded from want We .em
ever environed by the love which is reflected
upon us from that which lighted my husband
in his ungeon-softened his prison walls with
sunny pictures ofloving eyes and outstretched
arms.
Grief and gratitude seem to impose upon
me silence. would, but cannot say more.
will enclose within this note the names and
directions of gentlemen to whom the contri-
buttons ofwhich you speak may be enclosed.
And instead of the eloquent voice which so
often has poured forth his love to his dear
people, now mute, | offer wifes and moth
er's, and countrywoman's gratitude to you
and those you represent.
/ have the honor to be very gratefully and
sincerely, yours. VAR1NA DAVIS.