Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-03-21
.ctual death from starvation before the first Of

actual death from Starvation peioie 'ne niss Va
March.
A letter to DR.. W., which he has published
saws. Z" / have SEEN sir, on many Of the bitter
est DAYS of our severe winter, just past, feeble
women. wan with starvation, walk ten, fifteen
and twenty miles, scantily covered with rags,
with their babies in their arms, to receive hall
bushel of corn, which they are thankful to be
able to carry home to their starving children.
We might 60 on adding proof to proof; but
we think the above sufficient to satisfy You, as
it does MS, that very alarming and terrible
state Of restitution exists in the South-so great
that actual starvation must overtake many-so
great number, in truth, being in want. that
the contributions Of both Government and peo-
pie will probably fail to supply more than half
the need Many Of these people, too, are the
very best people Of the land who have been re-
duced towanth by the war. Many are the widows
and children of those who came 20 help Virgin
in in her hour of need, and whose bones sleep
beneath her soil. These are startling truths,
and we who have had our prayers for daily
bread answered so abunlantly that we have
never known the fear Of want, can hardly real
ize their meaning; but we appeal to you to con-
slider, ponder and act upon them. Were there
but few actually starving, it would show that
there were great many pinched by want but
now many are starving and we should realize,
as the National Latelligencer states, that "Pov-
erty sits by the fireside of most Southern homes
and the cry for bread comes ppfrom furnishing
lips" We cannot hope to relieve ell, but We
know that what we may give will relieve actual
rant and we appeal to each and every one
Il. H. r,nncf
call, TO Join us in the effort TO supply bread IN
response TO this furnishing cry. We hope that
in determining how much You will give, each
Of you will go in thought into these poverty
stricken homes-will think Of the corrodlng,
Notwithstanding care-the prolonged, helpless
agony of these parents unable to give their chill
dren the bread for which they increasingly ask
will think of the gnawing pangs of hunger
ever present even in the feversh dreams OF these
perishing multtudcs- think of the deep set
eyes-the wan and hollow cheeks, covered with
sallow. tight drawn skin--of the bony hands
clasped in almosthopeless prayerfordaily. bread
or death, and then, realizing that these are actual
cases in reach Of your charity, make up your
minds how much Of this misery you will relieve.
We would fain hope that even the poor among
us will determine to share with some poor one
there, and that the rich will give abuudantly,
and so all lay up treasure in heaven.
The best mode of giving relief is by giving
Corn and Bacon, and we think we can assure
all donors that their charity will reach those
for whom it is intended, with but slight cost or
danger Of niisapplication.
We hope that all who can, wi! attend the ID
adjourned meeting next Saturday, and hear the
facts more fully stated. We also appeal oy
direction of the meeting, to the newspapers OF
the Valley and the State to publish these iactS
and urge upon our whole people prompt action
in relieving our Southern Brethren.
T. W. BEDISGEE,
~ S. WHITE,
d. HUMPHREYS,
WN H. TRAvERs,
l.. c. CoRDELL.