The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-06-09

agreeable way. Many who are now
comfortable, by the aid of husbands,
if they were left widows tomorrow
would be compelled to ask this very
aid.
To make the Association, then, a
permanent thing, We require several
things. First, We need the encou-
ragement of our best, most infuen-
tial and most respectable gentlemen.
Secondly, we need to enlarge our
field of operations, SO as to extend
the opportunities to many who now
apply in vain for work. Third, we
need lot and building of our own,
for the work room and store, where
the things that are made up can be
| offered for sale. Fourth, we need q
place which will save US tho constant
drain upon our limited means for
rent. This keeps us back moro than
you can well imagine. Fifth, we
need the means to carry out these
objects, and we, rs women, are unfit
to plan the necessary means to this
end.
we address you, therefore, rs our
friends and fellow-citizens, and beg
you to give us your assistance and
counsel to carry out our wishes. We
shall need between ---- and
dollars. We can pur-
chase lot, probably, upon time, and
we would not commence our building
before next autumn. Will you not
advise us !? You will sec that oil the
money subscribed by those who may
give need not be paid at once. Our
building would he paid for in install.
ments, and in this way those who arc
disposed to contribute may pny their
subscriptions in instalments also.
We know that our people are poor,
and that all Of the funds cannot be
raised i'll our midst, but wo are too
proud to ask elsewhere, until we can
show what our impoverished people
are disposed to contribute. You
know that we are women, md cannot
call a meeting of men or address
them, and ask them to aid us in
commencing the work. We can use
our fingers, but the gentlemen of our
city must arrange Tor us the head
work and plan the details. We can
do much, and we are willing to do
what we can.
The writer of this will leave in a
short time for the summer, and q
field of duty will be assigned her in
her absence. What she desires is to
be able to carry with her some assur-
ance that we arc ready to help our
selves.
The Industrial Association, let me
add, was begun, under very disheart-
enlng and unfavorable circumstances,
by our women alone. They were
aided, to some extent, by the benevo-
lent, but still in o very limited way.
We had lecture, we gave concert,
exhibited tableaux, and provided
suppers- all to get little means to
carry us on from month to month.
We have struggled on, md are now
on the point of d grcat success. we
can do much more.
Why should not everything n
gentleman needs be kept ready at
hand, made up in the best style by
our own country women, who have
tho taste and the ability ? Why
should any article of under clothing
be purchased elsewhere I could
enlarge upon this point, but deem it
unnecessary, as you already have the
idea. Give us, then, gentlemen,
your countenance. give us your
advice, lend us your names and influ-
ence, and we will accomplish, through
you, that which will be of the great
est advantage to our community. We
will aid those who have never here
tofore needed aid, and send comfort
and happiness to many hearthstone.
We realize that in our impoverished
condition tho wives and daughters of
our brave men must work. P,uv
hc!p as TO tie opportunity!
This communication is intended to
open the subject to YOU, and I shall
be most happy to call upon each of
yon, in person, to receive your views
and give you ours moro in detail.
am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
your friend and countrywoman,
COLUMBIA, S. c., May IS, 1868.