The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-09-18

to obtain money. They have given time
and talents to promote the success OF under
takings which would be profitable and yield
them large sums to send to the sufferers
They have divided their own money, and en-
listed the sympathy OF others in the
cause. They have done this because
a true woman can never hear the cry of dis
tress and pain without pity. and when
naught else can be done she nurses the sick,
shrouds the dead, weeps with the bereaved,
and comforts the afflicted Her hands are
ever open to bless, and her charity goes be-
yond her own threshold out into the world
to Tighten darkened homes, to feed the hun
cry and clothe the naked. Modest and
shrinking at other times, she is bold and
fearless when she sets out on her mission OF
practical benevolence, and when once her
feet are in the way of duty no obstacle is 100
high for her to surmount. Often silently,
unobtrusively, is the work done The hus-
bands name among the list or donors does
not reveal to. the world the charity of the
wife that doubled the amount he would have
given, and only the recording angel knows
aught of her gift. The willingness to labor,
the unfagging zeal, the abiding love that
must mark successful charitable movements.
are characteristics of women, and their alb
sence is at once the sign of failure of the I'M
dertaking and of some demerit in the object
to be attained. Nothing will ever heal the
wounds that ache and cape in hearts both
north and south as the gentle sympathy of
the women of these sections; nor a score or
general amnesties' accomplish what kind
messages and generous aid will do in this
time of trouble. The sympathy for the woe
and agony In the south that have thrilled the
hearts of the women in the north will never
be forgotten, and If ever the opportunity
comes, it will be recompensed and returned
The Augusta (Ga) Chronicle, after COM
menting upon the speech of General Shields
says in conclusion of the women of that sec
ton:
When the true story OF the yellow fever
plague of 1878 shall be written 1t will be found
we think, that the most prominent part, north
and south, belongs Of right to the women of
the land. We have the testimony Of General
Shields to the sentiment and action now
pervading the women of the north. Every
record from New Orleans, Grenada, Mem phis
Nicksburg and other smItten places is redo
lent with the heroism and sacrifice of the de-
voted women of the south. Many men have
been accused of cOwardice in leaving their
homes and families to the mercy of the world
and the ravages of the scourge, but we have
seen no well authenticated account of such
baseness and treachery on the part of any
woman.
Could airy record be more honorable? The
dead in New 0rleansr Memphis, Grenada and
Vicksburg number scores of women who
have died doing their duty, fearlessly, low
ingly. Sisters of charity have gone to the
bedside of strangers during the dangers Of
the plague, in obedience to their conviction
of their duty to man, and when all was over
they have murmured prayer for the dead
commencing them to the mercy of God.
Mothers have held their children close
pressed to their aching hearts, as If trying
to shield them from the awful death that
awaited them, and have labored and prayed
as only mothers can to save their loved ones.
Wives have nursed stricken husbands, have
watched through the long ordeal for single
1 10Y Va AOeuuHAh5 AiiCi anu nave Dccu uuCOii-
scious OF WEAKNESS or physical pain until re-
lieved of their charges. Sisters, daughters,
young girls and matrons have sacrificed
themselves to save not only those of their
own kith and kin, but the stranger smitten
by the terrible breath of the pestilence. And
the women of the north, tender and sympa-
thetic, and those of the south, gentle and
I r.
gracious that the proudest queen of all the
realms would be honored by wearing Its
badge and sharing in its work