The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-20
THE WOMEN OF THE SOUTH.
An Appeal in their Behalfto Mr.. Peabody

warded to Mr.. George Peabody as soon as the
signatures of ten thousand Southern women
can be obtained. Copies are now being circulat-
ed through all the Southern States with space
sufficient for fifty names. Ladies Of influence
in the respective localities whore circulated
have the matter in charge, and as soon as the
desired number Of signatures have been OBJ
tained, the copies are TO be collected, all the
names to be attached together, and forwarded
as above stated:
Dear Sir-Tbe earnest philanthropy of your
character induces us to prefer making the fol-
lowing representation to you personally, III
stead OF conveying. them to you through the
distinguished gentlemen whom you have ap-
pointed agents of your benefcence.
Although you have intrusted the expenditure
of this sum to these trustees, 30 high s your
character for prudence and judgment, that We
are certain any advice from you as to its dis.
posal will be all powerful with them.
The present state OF that section Of your na-
tive country IN which we 1--we, Is IN every re-
spect distressing; but there is one clrcum-
stance which deserves especially to employ the
kindly brain and hand Of the pbilanthropist-
we refer to the condition Of the women OF the
South. Until the late war we had never been
compelled, owing to the form of society under
which we were born and reared, to labor for
our own support. Afiuence was the rule, poy-
erty tho-axaaptioa-pssseS-S -Siss-'-ssr-nhes>-'A a.
became necessary for us to exert ourselves in
the most arduous and unaccustomed duties,
our conduct proved that we lacked neither the
viii nor the ability to labor perseveringy, and
to bear with fortitude every burden which 1t
pleased God to lay upon us. The issue Of the war
has deprived thousands OF us OF our only means
of support. Harder to bear than this, It's terri
BILE Ncissltudes Of slaughter and disease have
IL. nf no
and brave hearts Of those who would have
counted it all Joy to labor for US.
We do not complain Of this; we yield 20 the
will OF Him "who doeth all things we'll, and
''who doth not willingly afalct the children OF
men," We do not ask for any help except the
opportunity to help ourselves. Owing to the
former condition Of society in the South, there
are only two occupations open to us-tsaching
and sewing. For the former pursuit many OF
us are unfit either from temperament or from
no: having been educated expressly for this
occupation. The latter employment is 80 Sc
dentary that many of us have not strength
and health to enable us 10 pursue it. However,
in spite Of these hindrances, 30 many OF us
have been compelled to engage in these pur-
suits, that the remuneration which they afford
has necessarily become, as general rule, pitt
fully small, owing to the great competition in
both.
We believe that portion Of your noble gift
could in no possible way be 80 useful to our
impoverished section IS by employing it in the
establishment Of an institution whose whole
design should be to open new fields OF labor to
the women Of the South, and to ft them TO cul.
tivate these with ability. Such an institution.
when once established, could easily be made,
in great part, selfsupporting by wo measures:
First, by allowing all household work to be
performed by the inmates. Second, by letting
the employments which are taught be OF such
a nature that many Of them shall be remunera-
tive TO the school, even while the pupils are
learning them.
These rules would also have the desirable
effect Of making the fees for attendance very
small.
The employments which could and should be
taught in such q place are nCmberless. We
will enumerate few, to give you more dis
tinct idea Of what We propose:
Printing, for example, would be very suta-
bic. and might be made quite profitable by ur-
dertaking to do job work for persons deslrous
| Of aiding IN this manner the plan Of the iusti-
| tuition.
| Wood engraving is also an occupation for
which women are peculiarly we'll fitted.
The lighter sorts OF wood carving required
| for the more delicate ornamental work OF the
cabipet-maker could be taught with advan-
| tage.
There is great deal of r ongh painting done,
theatrical scenery, Which requires little or no
natural talent, and could be learned by any
| one. -.-....----.
il any of those who were learning wood
carving or scene painting happened to be gift
| ed with real artistic talent, it would manifest
itself in these pursuits. Such pupils could
then be separated from the rest, and thorough
| Iv trained as painters and sculptors.
Gardening, bookkeeping, telegraph operating,
and many other suitable occupations will readl-
" suggest themselves to your mind.
If YOU decide to advise that a portion OF your
gilt be employed for this purpose. 1t would be b
we'll to promise that the institution should be
situated in that one of the Southern States
which could pledge itself to contribute most
largely to its endowment, either by gifts OF
money or of public lands. Then it should be
placed in that county of the chosen State
which could give the largest additional
amount.
Even if very few could be trained in this
school, great good would be done; for each
| pupil, returning 10 her native town, would con :
| vey to it's inhabitants the germs OF entirely
new ideas. She would carry to many faintlng
hearts the good tidlngs that their lot is not so
hopeless as it seems-that they may yet be
saved. both from the scanty support OF ill-pald
and exhausting labor, and from the humill-
alton Of eating the bitter bread Of dependence.
| In conclusion, We would express to you In
our names, and in those uf our fathers, BROTH
ers, husbands and sons. our gratitude to you
I for what you have already done for your i'm
poverished fsllow-countIymen of the South.
May you receive your reward on that day
when you shall meet for the first time the null
| titudes of those whom you have blessed, and
shall hear from sacred lips the joyful words:
'-Ipasnuch as You have done j. unto the least
of these, You have done 1t unto me-"
l.