The National tribune., 1886-09-23
arnEGRr.rEsr oFrnEsE is CHARITY"

The CommandeT-ln-Chiet appeals 10 the
comrades of the GAR. to aid in the noble
work Of relieving the sore distress Of the
people of the stricken city of Charleston.
OF the urgent, the crying need Of such
help there cannot he the slightest doubt
The Commander-in-Chief and his Adjutant-
General-both men Of ripe experience and
the soundest judgment-have visited
Charleston and made thorough and careful
investigation Of the calamity and the dis
tress that has followed in its train. Far
from this being exaggerated by the reports,
they say that its extent and seriousness have
not been and cannot be adequately described.
Unless abundant help is promptly rendered,
the suffering must rapidly increase as the
rains set in and cold weather comes on.
Every dollar that can be given by our peo-
pie will be required TO alleviate the destitu-
tion and misery that now seems inevitable.
Only by the promptest action and the most
liberal relief can be prevented an amount of
misery which will make anyone shudder TO
contemplate
To the comrades Of the Grand Army Of
the Republic this situation of affairs appeals
with more force than TO any other body of
men in the Nation. To them Charleston
even more than Richmond-was the embodi-
ment of the rebellion What Troy was TO
the Greeks, Carthage to the Romans, Gath
to the Hebrews, the Isle Of Malta to the
Turks and Paris to the Germans, she was TO
those who fought for the Union. She was
the birthplace of disunion, and almost its
last stronghold. She fell at last before our
arms and accepted in good faith the decision
of the sword which she had invoked so pas
sionately. No city in the rebelliOus States
acquiesced in the verdict Of the war with the
dignity and fidelity of Charleston.
We were her bitterest enemies quarter OF
a century ago; let us be her most earnest
friends now. Then we employed every re-
source of relentless warfare to capture and
destroy her-now let us lead all others in
lifting up her PROSTATE people and shielding
them from every i'll which generous charity
and active sympathy can ward of. She has
honorably kept the faith her warrior sons
plighted at Appomattox and Durham Sta
ton; let us redeem the promise we made
that when they laid down their arms w
would be their brothers, in sympathy will
every Joy or sorrow that befell them
1t is eminently proper that we should LEAD
in the relief movement, and be most earnes
of all in the work of assistance. Mani,
generosity, chivalrous soldiership, tru
American citizenship dictate that the stroni
hands which once welded the deyourinI
sword against these people as enemies shoul,
now, as fellow-citizens, be the most active il
sucOor.
The plan outlined by the COMMANDMENT
! Chief is an admirable one and should b
, acted on at once, and with enthusiasm. LIZ
us 40 at it as we used TO, when the Who'll
line sprang forward at the word of comman
! with a unanimity that insured success tn
moment the FIRST step was taken. THE Nl
TIoEAL TRIBUNE will reach every Post
the United States in advance Of the receiI
ofthe COmmander-in-C Chiefs circular throug
: the regular official channels. We earnestl
= urge comrades not TO wait for this, but go
!, work Immediately. Let it be announce
that the next Post meeting will be devot,
TO the relief of the Charleston sufferers, an
that every one shall have then the privilei
v of contributing, the smallest amounts beii
B welcome. Nor should this privilege be /
stricted TO members of the Posts Citize
should be invited 10 add their contribution
4 and the comrades should circulate subscri
10 ton papers through the community, neglec
., ing OF emitting no one If possible. 1t M
be judicious TO hold open Post meetings,
which citizens be invited
ID Every Post should make it a point