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The Soldiers' Memorial Society ------------- The Soldiers' Memorial Society asks your attention to its Constitution and to the extent of the work which it has in hand. It is organized both to collect personal memoranda of the Soldiers, and also in the hope of meeting such demands upon far-sighted charity, made in the States lately the scene of war, as cannot be met by the Government, or by existing organizations. The sufferings of the sick, the condition of orphans, the necessities of persons who cannot find work or wages without removal to other places, — the care of loyal men and women who have sacrificed their all for the nation, — and, indeed, all the miseries inflicted by war upon both races, present to us daily demands for relief. These demands are presented in different forms; — an agent sent from a Southern city — or a private letter — or the report of some teacher, missionary, or Government agent — reveals every day some new necessity. We believe that such calls will wear out their welcome, if presented only to individuals who cannot have the time or opportunity to examine them. We believe that such calls should at once be referred to a Board of Directors, who have some general acquaintance with the Southern country, and with the work of the Government, and of the various organizations for relief. We believe that a discriminating as well as generous distribution of such relief will render the best assistance to Government in the work of reconciliation and reconstruction. The work of education at the South has our most hearty sympathy, and we shall aid, so far as may be, the organizations already engaged in it. We intend, however, that our work shall be rather that of special relief. We have already found occasion to consider cases of suffering loyal families; of children too naked to go to school; of temporary homes for orphans in neighborhoods ravaged by war; and of hospitals for the relief of the sick. As the Government withdraws armies and rations, these calls must multiply daily. We beg your contributions in money or work to this Society, because we have attempted in it a methodical system to act promptly in cases of such appeals, which we are all agreed must be met in some way.
