The Hickman courier., 1868-05-23
BeneyOIent>-Ass
citation.
ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
10 the People Of Kcntncky-

clAlhOms
q ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
|. To the People Of Kentucky;
The members of tie Coufederat,
Benevolent Association, resident in til,
city of Louisville, have instrWted US tt
issue an address to our friends through-
out the State explanatory of the nature
hnd purp2ses of our Association, aud
hsking ttS kco operation and support
We have all been compelled to see
5dnd Aleplore the destitution and distress
to which the war has reduced our people,
a'4--...is poverty is attended by circuin-
stances which peculiarly enlist the SYM
bathies Of the charitable Many wla
! were reared in affiuence, unused to labrS
and upszught in any art or profession
j which il is possible to provide a liv9s.a
hood, have been completely impoyers 81
ed, and now, willing but unable to VI 81
or ignorant of how to obtain it, ~
forced to appeal 10 the benevolence
those whom such affiieiien has nat 8
eas> ExcprucEysr5u 5ut fs@rftai y sea
| the unhappy strife which desolated
homes aud swept away the wealth of tnS
I South, is 10 condition % alleviate much
Of this suffering, aud the generous aid
which her people have already in many
| instances extended to their unfortunate
| brethrep- induces US to confidently ex
pect it in this. The warm and general
| interest manifested here in behalf of the
victims of war aud its devastation, and
desire to befriend them, has been Ia a
J great measure frustrated by the lack of
! any organization which could give unity,
mstem aud direction to the efforts OF
uevolencezrI Individual charity ismore
I to be zeAous. than wise aud discrim-
hating the aims of the most kindly
and liberal are often unjustly denied or
improperly bestowed, and some times the
worthiest objects, whose applications are
prevented by modesty or want of infor-
nation ho8 aud where to prefer them,
are entirely overlooked.
The Confederate Benevolent Asso-
citation" proposes to supply this neces
sary organization, aud suggests method
which will afford, at the same time, ade
quate relief To those really worthy aud
protection against fraud and imposters.
DESTROYS Of giving to our enterprise
a distinctive character, and believing
that the men who were Immediately con
nected with the fortunes OF the Confed-
eracy are the nost proper persons TO
faithfully aud actively forward it, we
have restricted membership of this asso-
citation to those who were =" IN the Con-
federate service, or who left their homes
to identify themselves with the Conled
crate cause" 1t will also afford to this
class opportunities for that intimate
social intercourse which its members SO
naturally desire to culIiva. among them
selves, and it will unite in peaceful asso-
citation the comrades who braved to-
gethcr the hazards Of battle
Divisions of this Association may be |
organized in every town and county Of
the State, wherein reside persous posses
sing the qualifications OF membership, |
hy adopting the. constitution sad TepeTt :
Jug 20 the clffef 15si5iou ioeated IN TINS
city. The members eaeh pay small
initiation and monthly fee. which 90 to
detray the necessary expenses, and to pro
vide fund for charitable purposes.
They are required TO take no oath, com
NIT themselves IN no wise to any policy
or action which is not mentioned in the
constitution of the organization, and in
discharge the duty already incumbent
upon them of contributing to the support
of I" the needy and unfortunate of our
own class and people" We earnestly
appeal to our comrades in every part OF
Kentucky to organize I" divisions" OF
this association, and aid US in the prose-
cution of the good work. Copies of the
constitution may be had by writing to
Major W. j. Davis, of this city, Secre-
tary of this Division, to whom all COM
munications upon business connected
with the organization here should be
properly addressed.
We also extend to the citizens of this
State, who may not become members: of
our association, q. cordial invitation to
attend our meetings, which will be opel
and public, and satisfy themselves that
its objects are just and proper and faith
constitution and records will always be |
permitted to friends who may wish to
Examine tbems9
atisfed that our designs are laudable |
worthy encouragement, we will
fdentaHy expect. it, and we ask Of I
our friends the read hand hearty assist /
ance which they have ever rendered to I
undertakings that their feelings aud /
judgments have approved.
We will receive donations, to be APP
piled to the relief of the sufferers recon-
mended - our care, from all persons (
who, wishing to give to benevolent pur-
poses and unable to investigate the cases
submitted to them. will choose to mike I
our association the medium of their
charities, and all such contributions will
be rcceipted for by the Secretary
Assuring our friends that our labofs
in this cause shall be energetic and faith
full, we sincerely desire them to unite
with US, that aid and means may streng-
then our efforts to comfort the unhappy /.
aud alleviate misfortune.
The meh who endured together the.
Of the terrible struggle that 1
ended in the ruin OF the people whose
battles they fought, surely desire to
maintain the sacred. friendship which |,
born in the cath8and the field, confirm
- BY sufferiDgs and yperils shared by all,
sht not nogxo die.
he orde# Through which we have
ssed, has left Its mark upon u.s. Our
brotherhood, constituted by common
memory, common disaster and danger,
has its obligations which we can not es-
cape, but must recognize and acquit.-l
We are united by ties we could not break
if we would, and surely, if still auima-
ted by the instincts which guided us in
the glorious past, we can not wish to
sever them. No political Significance
attaches TO this society of former com
rades, nor would we for moment urge
or entertain thought inconsistent with |
the obedience We have sworn to the gov I
lee ,,aIa. I,,t -