National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-04-09
Opa of President Grants best ap-

One of President Grants best ap-
pointments thus far is that OF MISS
Eliza l.. Van Lew, to be postInls-
tress at Richmond, Virginia. The
name of this lady will be remember
ed with pleasure and gratitude by
many now III Worcester, as well as
by others scattered through all parts
of the country, who incurred the
misfortune of an enforced residence
in Richmond during the first year
of the war. Though the strict regu-
lations of the military commanders
did not permit her to visit the prs
ons III person, as she would gladly
have done, TO minister 10 the neceS-
sites of those whom prlNatlon ana
hardship were bringing daily to the
gates of death, yet the influence of
lie. kindly and noble charity was
felt and gratefully appreciated by
very many who never saw her face
ana 10y some who never heard her
name. From her own means, un
aided, SO far as we know, by others,
she supplied frequently and liberal
ly, food to the half STARVED, clothing
10 the destitute, and appetlzlng del
icacicS to the sick, and those who
though still i'll health, were plnlng
! for freedom, and the comforts and
reiinemcntS of home, as well as for
some occupation to beguile the tedi
um of Imprisonment, she provided
with books without stint from hel
library, and. not forgetting or scorn
ing to minister 10 the cravings OF
what some people would c;dl VIII
ated taste, but which in such cir
cumStanctS. was almost as imperi
Gus as a necessity. she Supplied al
the prisons literally with smoking
tobacco.
Some officers OF the 10Th regiment
will recall a dinner Of several cour
ses, admirably cooked and elegantly
served, which Miss Van Lew sen
them from Der own table, an,
| which they enjoyed with guSt'
that none can appreciate who have
net lived for months on rude an'
scanty prison fare. Another OF he
good deeds we must not forget t.
mention, as it illustrates most pleas
ingly not only her Kindness ofheart
+ hnt her refinement and delicacy o
feeling. Among her gifts to tn
prisoners on Christmas day was
beautiful boquei OF choice flowers
which blooming in that dismalplac,
, made even the unSightly prise
!, walls wear for time a look OF cheer
| fitness, and the meaGrc prison fan
have IL faint relish OF the accust0u
+, ed Christmas feast, while their beat
~ and fragrance, reminding mai
p IA poor fellow Of his distant HON
: and dear friends who were mourn
Ing his absence from the Christina
gatherings, yet llghtenel for tn
moment the calling chain of his cdl
tivity. ana substituted temperate
some of the amenities of ChliStia
' society, for the rude uncouthncs
= which men herded together it
months without occupation incylt
! bly, contract.
:, We never knew with certain'
:, whether Miss Van Lew was as 10y;
y and patriotic, after our standard,
; She was refined, kindly and gene
Gus; or whether she believed III II
| Justice Of the rebel cause; but "
, do know that her noble charity
I the unfortunate cost her many a
!, indiguty and insult from her a
qualntanccs and others iii the cit
=. most of whom could not speak
II the hated Yankee prisoners WithoD
- Il snecr or IL tauut. Sometime
: January, 1862. she WAS preVentt
g by IA stringentlN executed order
Gen. Winder from any further ctloI
to alleviate their condition. v
l. believe that later III the war She h;
IS improv some opportunities OF
newiug her charitable offices. 5
WAS understood to have consider
10 hlc wealth. but. as We have been to
IN lost nearly all of it during the pr
" gleSs Of the war. Her modest III
is unprctcnding charities have Il
ne been widely hclalded, and her nai
M Is almost unknown, except to I
IT grateful recipients of her boHn
of and the friends to whom they la
ic told the story of their hardship
" ard the kindness of their unSc
n TREND but her persistent ben
ccncc in the face of diSCOuragrmcl
rcbuilS, aud ever insult, entities i
~ name to II place III the gral"i
''' memories of her country men.
OF Among the noble women who
\ deeds OF seii-iorgctting mercy shi
~ with Il pure and steady light an
VI the iiful and Iurid Splcndors Of ",
Us Eliza l.. Van Lew may Justly
III ranked with Florence Nightugi
and Clara Barton. Many "a RE
mond prisoner Of the winter Of Is
It and g. will hear with delight of t
- Presidents publicrccognltion of |
-. goodness.