The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-16
CHARITY FAIRS.


School for soldiers, and Sailors ORPHANS
Addresses Of General McClsllans w. M.
Evarts and Dr. Bellows.
That the splendid exhibition opened last evening
the armory OF the Seventy-hrst regiment win be
marked by success--that the poor orphans Of the
fallen heroes who helped save the Union Will be
heartily recognized as worthy creditors OF the
nation-thcre can be but little doubt. A
more mertorlOus object could not enlist the
sympathy OF the benevolent while q grateful peo-
pie Will rejoice IN the opportunity OF showing their
patriotism in manner most glorious and substan-
tla. The fair held under the auspices of the Grand
Army Of the Republic, In aid Of the "Union Home and
School for Soldiers ana Sailors Orphans'' promises
10 be one OF the interesting Of the many that
have recently been maugurated. With a collection
of valuable articles such rarely presented for
sale, auction or lottery and having
MOST CoMMENDABLE AIM,
there can be hesitation In predicting for the ex-
hibition q triumph that will perhaps surpass the
most sanguine expectations OF Its charitable pro-
1t is to enlarge the dimensions OF the noble
institution, since the demand upon It's resources has
OF late increased, that the fair has been neld The
scene last evening was exceedingly entertaining,
for, although the arrangements were not altogether
completed, the cheerfulness, beauty, elegance and
bright surroundings which characterized the exhi-
bition were most gratifying
GAY AND TASTEFUL
decorations, neat and tempting tables beautiful
floral temple attended by The most fascinating dam
sels bewtching loneliness at every turn splendid
collection Of paintings and multltudnous variety
OF charming attractions capuvate the visitor.
AT eight O'Clock the exhibition was fairly under
way, and was inaugurated under circumstances the
most auspicious All the spacious rooms Of the
armOry were thrown open and the music OF the
band from Governors Island sounded merrily
nUh I'm hutlfl A
ing of Company X, OF the Seventy first, was IN
attendance and as
the fair he was greeted win enthusiastic cheers.
General J. +. Robinson presided al the formal
opening, and in the vicinity OF the chair were
William NJ. Evarts, Judge 9. T. DAILY and several
distinguished military men. General Robinson
BREEZY set forth the objects OF the institution In
he 'n as a sss ad hs 10
the poor orphans whose fathers had sacr-
iced their ~. lives 70 defend en1, inc Union
Army OF the Republic, he sand It was established
purely from benevolent motives, aside from It's party
fraternity charity and loyalty. In fine. ne was
dent that the fairs gotten up under auspices by
numerous undetermined ladies would be crowned
GENERAL M'cLELLAN's SPEECH.
General GEORGE b. MGCLE Ella on being
kens Of appreciation. lie said:-The duty l
am called upon tonight to perform is one
where the mere words and flowers OF rhetoric would
entirely wasted and out OF place. For this
have cheerfnlly undertaken task should nave
declined, and one which would require the services
OF q sKlllul advocate ana accomplished orator to
present. Fortunately for me 1t needs neither The
suect have to lay before you can safely be left to
stand upon its own merits. and must commend itself
to ALL 1t Is simply to present here tonight under
the auspices OF the Grand Army OF the Republic, 10
THIS MOST LIBERAL OF COMMUNITIES,
the most deserving OF all charitable undertakings
not charity but sacred duty. tApplause.l 1t has
been said, by way or sarcasm, that Americans were
| unduly devoted TO the almighty dollar. Whether
Americans, as q race merited such criticism | 40
know that we 10 not deserve it now (Kppause.l
Be that 1t may 1t is certain that no worthy object
OF Charity was ever presented In vain to the inhabi
tants OF this metropolis Of lie land and the people Of
| America. II Is, therefore, with the most perfect
confidence in the result that proceed in the breicst
terms TO lay our cause before YOU No one here pre-
| sent needs TO be reminded that almost ten years
| ago we were awakened from
| OUR PEACEFUL PURSUITS
by the dire alarm OF war, andof all wars the most
| horrible-a civil war How that war was waged and
only say with The vast majority of men who took
part on our side to preserve The honor OF the ma
81 pn e nag ana @ shRs to h an
Providence and the valor or our soldiers,
emerged from rs That ,ss without star
ment now extended over the Union. (Applause.)
will not say at what a cost Of the brave mems
blood the great events were achieved. Those who
| took no part IN this struggle well remember the
/ BANDS OF PATRIOTIC CITIZENS,
soon converted into the best of soldiers, who took
their lives In their hands and went forth amid your
plaudts to hight the battles OF the Union. All
death death on the battle field, We'll remember the
| enthusiasm which marked the struggle. 1t Is not
necessary to recall the so, stirring scenes to them
or battle had ceased. ands the gloomy hospitals
| those scenes never be obiIteratcd from the
memories OF those who witnessed them. Among
those men, so brave so full OF life and hope, whom
you saw marching to the front, some were stricken
| down by death ana others were rendered powerless
| for the remainder or the battle Of weary life.
| Many left cheerful homes and wives and children.
| It's for those children now speak to you. My
| friends, you have
ACTED WITH THE UTMOST LIBEEALlrY
In extending aid to those men who have suffered by
the war now desOlatlng the fair land OF France. 1t
is well to succor the afflicted Of foreign lands 1t is
well to honor the memory Of own dead soldiers.
their fame and Deeds But these little children III
whose behalf now address you-tncse orphans or
is 1t not better 10 succor t1emY is it not the
most sacred OF our national duties? When their
fathers went forth TO hight for you would you not
and educating their chdrenY 1t Is this we ask you
to do We ask You to aid all those noble ladies VINO
Union Home. We ask il with the firm conviction that
you Will respond SO generously TO the appeal that
other communities VIII be
COMPELLED To FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE
throughout the broad land, from the great lakes to
cine Ample PROVISION viii be- made far those he desti
tute widows and orphans left us by the war, which
we iondly trust YIN be the last that WIN ever be
wased in our s anian ' n. nv aRp!auss'
was next introduced and in the course OF inter-
the distinguished soldier anu a most prominent
actor IN the scenes OF the great war should have
been called upon to open cause SO noble and SO In
terestIng. He commanded that
ATTENTION WHICH BELONGS TO HIS STATION
and his character And he could also understand
why the eloquent clergyman who was to follow him
should be asked TO take part IN these proceedings,
because Of the great and noble he TOOK in the
charity OF the war as the head and leader OF the
Sanitary Commission.
MIR. Evars then dilatcd at some length on the
great objects or the institution, and the debt Of
sacrificed their lives in defence OF the Union. He
confident that the fair would be accorded that
great success which it deserved. 1t was argued by
that such charities should be left TO the State.
He did not believe that, but considered that they
should be entrusted 10 the care OF the people. He
submitted that
SUCH CHARITIES SHOULD BE SUPPORTED
from the bosom or the same volunteer patriotism
that sent the volunteers to the field He then al
lulad elementa which shauld caar rixa