Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-20
Letter from Gen. Price.

Sterling Price, IT u9t-one OF tne
greatest men of the world, was a great
man, and he was also q disinterested
patriot second in that respect to no man
living or dead. BE was unsel6sh, neble
and beloved. y The following letter from
him Is now for the first time published in
the Kansas City Republican. Alas
that there should be any in our country
mean and base enough to disown its
most worthy jewels. In keeping with
his life and character, this one of his
last acts is a selfabnegating one OF
benevolence. 1t is published by the lady
to whom it is addressed, with the express
sion of hope that it may be the,
means of rousing many ito sense Of
their duty to the destitute, neglected and
forgotten widows and orphans of the
Confederate dead of Missouri :"
ST.. LOUIS. No.. February 6. 1857.
DEAR MADAM: / thank you sincerely
for the kind and fattering letter you
have addressed tome, & Having hut re-
Gently returned from foreign country
TO my long adopted State, TO whose peo-
ple 1 owe unfailing gratitude for all the
hohors and benefits they have through
life bestowed upon me, l have been, and
am yet, ignorant of much IN which
ought to feel constant interest Among
many letters from old companions and
friends, none have been read With more
interest than yours. 1t has opened to
me a condition of things most deeply to
be deplored, and which cannot believe
will be permitted to continue.
1t Is as unnecessary as it would be
useless, and perhaps indicate, for me
at the present time to aescant upon the
causes, the course and the consequences
of the armed conflict through which the
country has passed. These are subjects
upon which /, and all Of us, should be
not only willing but anxious to appeal to
impartial history, and a just, intelli-
gent and disinterested posterity. Con-
scious of having through life been
guided BY solemn sense of duty TO my
country, and responsibility to my God, |
shall leave my acts to the considerate
thoughts Of my fellow,citizens and the
Just and unimpsssioned verdict Of those
who come after us.
But of those who followed me in this
sauguinary struggls-the husbands and
the fathers of the bereaved women and
children in whose behalf and for whose
benefit your noble Association has been
organized-it is not only my right, but
my solemn duty to speak. 1t is duty
as grateful to my heart as it is just to
the dead and consolaiory to the living
| / knew them all WE'LL No man ever
had followers more devoted alike to him
self and the cause which be espoused.
They we're, with few exceptions, men of
character and intelligence. They had no
hope Of advancement, or sense OF personal
interest, or prospect of peeuniary advan-
| tage to impel them into war. Thsy were
animated by as high sense Of honor and
| duty, aud as deep an attachment to law
and liberty, as have ever been exhibited
in the history Of the world. SO far from
hope Of gain we're they, and so sincerein
their principles, that they put to hazard
their property as well as their lives. /
have been with them 10 many a long and
dreary march, in desiitn,ion aud difieel,
| ties, in hunger and almost nakedness, and
on bsttle6elds as fearful as any sfthe war.
l always found them patient and en-
during, obedient TO orders and ameuable
20 discipline, brave in the field, with for
titude in defeat and manly msgnauimity
in victory. loved them as children and
they ever honored me as father. 1
claim noinfallibility for them, bot know
that whatever in the far future may be
the award Of history in other respects,
neither their sincerity nor their devotion
and coufsee can ever be brought Into
Question. II is for the wives and chill
dren Of these good men that your appeal
IL made.
will add, respected madam, that j
hope not only that your Assooiation viii
prove eminently successful, but that
others, stimulated By your shining ex.
ample, viii be animated 10 similar efforts
4 Of charity and humanity.
4 Accept for yourself. and those united
With you in your noble enterprise, sin
cere assurances OF my warm. iRierest in
vonr personal welfare --
Most respectfully, your obedisut ser
want, oTFRLINo fhICE
Mrs J. Lykins, President Widow and
Orphans' Home Of Missouri, Kansas
Ciy- --...-..