The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-15
RELIEF ron WIDOWS OF REBELS.

Generals Wise and Hosser on the RAM
page-They Declare the Cause OF the
Rebellion Not LOst-Wise Anxious 60
be Buried in a Grey OvercOat-The
south "sublimely UnoOnquered."
RICHMONB, Va, January IA large assem-
blage OF citizens at one Of the leading churches
here was addressed this evening by Generals
Rosser and Henry A. WISE on the subject o re-
lief OF the widows OF Confederate soldiers. The
addresses OF both we're warmly received and
frequently applauded.
General Rosser said he was here as tho cham
plOn OF the cause OF liberty and freedom, o
awake the echoes OF the country from North TO
South in behalf of the honored dead: TO lay
before you the claims of the widows and or
phans OF the numberless dead. Our duties 70
them arc 10 do something for these helpless sut-
fereIs. He would decorate aud erect monu-
menisto our glorious dead; but we must not
forget the living. We are entirely al the mercy
OF me conquerers, in whose hands is our fate.
and VINO, instead OF being megnanmous, are bit
teIly oppressive. / would have preferred to
have died ON the battlefield. az the post of duty
as my Vorthy cOmrade and statesman, General
Wise, has said; but II we could ask the brave
men who died for us what they would REQUIRE,
they would say, "Glve our wives and our
children bread.n We must buy the charity OF
the world; we must go into the lottery busi-
ness and Oner certain number of prizes, the
htst being the mansion once occupied by
our honored President, Davis; the second
the birthplace of our chieftain, r. E. Lee,
Vfginla,s great son. Virginiaus, look at your
by the very Government whose institutions you
once admired. Sne is now dishonored, made
desolale and left helpless. Your soldiers have
fought for glory and renown. They let home,
wives, and children. They had seen the black
horrors of war; but they went, inspired by God,
truth, and liberty, to tight for their country.
what are our duties to them? Have they not
right TO expect that we would cherish their
memories? We should die as they have died
before las, unbemished The death-knell of
liberty was sounded at Appomattox. have not
been pardoned; have not asked for II; would
not get IT if did. The cause lives il not in the
men in the women. The wonen carried on
the war. The noble women aud children who
have lost husbands and fathers are entitled to
our respect. We have no country, but we have
some means to divide with them. There must
be a comfortable and honorable provision made
for the wife and child of every Confederate sol
der. Virginia is my native State, thank God!
that was ashamed of it. Maryland was tram
melled, and could not assist us during the
war; but now she is ready to pour out her
treasure to help the Suffering widows and
thousand widows in the South, and our
eight millions OF people must at once provide
for them. The children must be educated. We
know your influence and your power, and we
expect you to do IT, | have stopped the men
bearing the wounded so dier off the battlefield,
and madeghem lay him do wn todie, and go back 10
the fight. have realized the bitter angdish Of
the wives ana children for this duty. They call
upon you now tonight TO give food and raiment
TO then wives and children. The day of retribu-
ton is coming, and every man will receive his
reward.
General WISE was then introduced He said
this was touching appeal made by General
Rosser, whom be seconded, who was only yes
terday the champion of the cause that fell, No
arm now can strike for it,. We can only nov
reuair our loss. The appeal for AID for our
widows and orphans comes from one of Vlr-
gnias sons. Have been spared to see the
cause die out before we die? What evidence
! how xun hot hat hoo liaA nttk2 Dot
| when we see widows wall or hear an orphan
! cry, feel then the cause has indeed died out.
1t you let one of them wall, you may we'll say
the cause is dead. 1t shall be to your cost.
! Should every man and woman in the South give
| IT up | never Wlll-neVer, never. | care Lot
how much more of misery may be piled upon
me, 1t will only be monument reaching to
heaven to reach heavens ear. You never were
worthy the cause If you let it die out. We are
wailing and in want. My God what widow
! Virginia herself is! That is an aching agony,
| but God knows how endured it. But have
/ endured it, The men whom commanded we're
| all my children. / looked at them not as a
martinez would, but as citizens who were de-
! tending a noble commonwealth, and we cared
not so the victory was won. Never has there
been such unexampled heroism. When they
| followed me through disaster and defeat,
the glory that was in my heart was that
they knew 81. !; loved them. would
self-sacrifce in any cause half as good. l have
wept over many of them whom / saw fall by
the enemy's bullet as / would over my own son.
When l die let me lie where | fall, wrapped in
my grey OvercOat. Leave the noble memorials
you have begun, which are only vanity. The
Confederate dead all, all sleep we'll, thank God
But the wOmen-lhe wife that never knew want
who could not work-WhO, above all that suf-
fer now, are the ones who need your charity.
This ls what the children and widow of the
Confederate soldier now need. The mother
will feel proud If you educate her noble
child to emulate the heroism of his
father TO strike for the same cause. That
enemy who undertook to conquer the Southern
people, three millions would not cover the num-
ber v no were laid hOrs de combat. Eight hun
dred thousand will cover the Confederate LOSE.
We must provide an asylum for both widows
and orphans. We can raise the means by the
plan proposed, and let the proceeds be invested
in profitable account. Let no widow wall, no
orphan want. have never had the heart to
see man want when have had a crumb for
myself. Don't wait; look out for those that
want and you shall be blessed by Heaven. II
you do not you are an lnfdel people, and your
substance will be eaten up. Find out, give, and
relleVe' virginia shall revive and be stronger
than ever. Only prove if you are not lighting
yet You are still subhmely unconquered,-M Y