Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-10-06
81. LoUIs SOUTHERN RELTEF FAM.

ST. LOUIS SOUTHERN RELIEF FAIR.
St. Louis is emulating Baltimofe in the
munifoence Of its contributions to The relief
of Southern suffering. The Relief Fair,
projected by the ladies of st. Louis, was in
augurated in that city, on Wednesday night
last. 1t will continue for several days. Its
opening presents promises Of the greatest
success. We have only space, this morning,
for the introduction to its magni6cence, as
given by the St. Louis Republican, of Thurs
day, which is as follows;
Nothing in the history Of ST. Louis can
compare with the grand and signal triumph
of this great enterprise. It commenced in
weakness, with thousand bad preiudices to
battle against. Although its objects were
the highest and hottest known in the Ian
guage Of earth-the succor Of helpless Wild
ows and orphans made such BY the events of
terrible war-yet many shrank from its
liberal and open espousal, while another at
tempted to cast Odium UPON the whole pro-
ject because the effort was in favor Of peo-
pie that were lately in arms against the
Government. The latter, however, compose
lean and mean minority of great hearted
people, and the magnificent popular demon
stration Of last night is terrible rebuke to
the whole race of political and social Phari-
sees.
The whole community seemed intent up
on being present at the Inauguration of the
great festival. The passers on every avenue
leading to the locality of the fair, all seemed
going in one direction, and for hours the
anxious multitude clustered in the front
and upon the steps of the fair building, and
struggled for admission within its portals.
Many ladies, with their escorts, became
discouraged at the continued pressure, and,
although provided with tickets, abandoned
their purpose Of entering for the time, and
retired from the crowd. We cannot esti-
mate numbers, but feel sure that two build
ings like the immense one occupied by
the fair could have been we'll filed, if the
entrance TO each had been easily accessible.
The moral influence of this fair is its grand
eat feature. For above It's mere charity
the suecor it can bring to the helpless and
homeless-will be its re-uniting power upon
the whole mass of the people who may con-
tribute toward its success. Better and
more powerful than a thousand sermons
upon Christian charity will be the practical
lessons of love and forbearance drawn from
this noble enterprise Families that have
been separated for years by political feuds,
have already strnk hands in peace over this
altar dedicated TO GoD and humanity. 1t will
prove to be the scene and occasion of a glo-
rious reunion Of thousands of hearts that
have been estranged or embittered by the
painful events of the last five years.
The first effect upon the spectator on en-
tering the fair edifice at night, is kind OF
bewildering splendor that absorbs his facul-
ties in wonder and leaves him but little
chance of analysing the details of the beauty
and glare that beams from every side. Be-
fore he enters he thinks of nothing but an
immense pile of brick and mortar construct.
ed for some commercial purpose. Once
within the doors, and thousand brilliant
lights flash upon ten thousand objects of
beauty. He is lost and bewildered with the
scenes of enchantment, that remind him only
Of tabled palaces inhabited by nymphs and |
FAIRIES. Hours upon hours may be spent in |
Analysing and classifying the details of a |
this wonderful consummatiOn of art and skill |
and still theobserver will come away with the |
conviction that half its wonders have not |
been seen.
The Fair is held in the building of the |
st. Louis Warehouse Company, situated ON
Chouteau avenue, bounded east by Fifth |
street, south by Chouteau avenue, west by |
Sixth street. and north by Papin street. The |
building occupies the whole block, and is |
260 feet long BY 140 wide, two stories high, |
and is constructed of solid masonry, with a |
centre wall through the middle, running the |
entire length in which there are three large |
arches. The columns are ali set on heavy /
piers. In the second story of the immense |
building the Fair is held.