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IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED.
To the Editors of the "Jewish Messenger."
"Another Great Battle! Union loss from 10,000 to 15,000. The
Enemy's loss much larger!"
Tell me, my friends, do you think you fully realize the dreadful import of
this stereotyped, though truthful heading of your favorite journal, the news of which you
swallow with your coffee, without lessening your appetite, or deranging your digestion?
To tell the sober truth, we have all become so familiar with those
fearfully minute stories of blood-shed, that our sensitiveness has become somewhat
deadened, and we begin to look upon these terrible announcements with a feeling so near
akin to indifference that we find ourselves exclaiming—"the chances of war."
Granted.
But for whom have these maimed and wounded and dying and dead been
fighting for? Not alone for themselves surely, but for you and me, and the
multitude who stay at home to find fault, and be protected.
And have not those who have so fallen, a right to something more than our
inexpensive thanks? Theirs is indeed a just claim, and they demand of us, not
only our sympathy, but whatever we can contribute to lessen their suffering, and
heal their shattered frames.
Has it ever occured to you how many of our brethren are among these
unfortunates, who, perhaps like yourselves, have never known what real suffering and
privations are!
It has been my privilege to pass some time among these co-religionists,
both among our own troops and among the rebel prisoners in hospitals, and if my pen
enabled me to convey to the reader one tithe of what I have witnessed, I am sure this
feeble appeal for assistance will be responded to with a will and alacrity worthy of the
well known instincts of our hope and the cause of our common country.
The government, in assuming care of the forty-eight hospitals in
this district, with their 20,000 patients and upwards, have done as much and as well as
could be expected under the circumstances; but there is much, very much yet to be done to
insure the comfort, and thereby in a great measure, the chances of recovery of
the patients. It is to attain this desirable result I ask the cooperation of my
fellow-Israelites. I therefore suggest that a JEWISH SOLDIERS' SANITARY AND RELIEF FUND be
organized, (to which I beg to contribute $25.,) under the direction of, say the worthy
President, Secretary and Treasurer of "the Jews' Hospital," who, I am sure, will
consent to become the almoners of the Fund, which might be made large at the beginning, if
Presidents of Congregations will cause a suitable appeal to be made to their members on
the approaching Holidays, and inviting donations to the same then and there.
Last year I had the opportunity of observing the good efforts of a
reverend gentleman from New York, who, with circumscribed powers, acted, I believe, under
direction of the "Board of Delegates of American Israelites." Let him, or
another equally well qualified, be appointed with discretionary power to attend the sick
and wounded Israelites in the hospital, and if necessary, upon the battle field; supplying
them with such necessities and comforts as they may lack; advising and communicating with
relations or friends, and imparting that spiritual comfort with those who may lie ill
among strangers know so well how to appreciate.
The poor sufferers would look upon such a one and those who sent him as
angels of mercy, and God will, I am sure, bless the undertaking with success.
I have no wish to gratify in the manner of carrying out this
project; if it can be improved upon, as I am sure it can be, let it be done; but let it be
done at once, for there is not a moment's time to be lost.
Israelites, reflect and act upon the solemn duty you owe to your
People, your Country, and your God!
SEMI-OCCASIONAL
Washington, D.C., Sept. 29th, 5623 [1862].
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