dollars, it is said, will be the least net return of this gigantic
fair to the treasury of the Branch at Chicago.'

We cannot believe that there is the least necessity to urge upon our
generous people the absolute _duty_ of contributing largely to the
support of the Sanitary Commission, the strong and helpful angel of our
bloody battle fields. Our sick soldiers, burning with fever, shivering
with the debility of disease, with pallid faces and emaciated frames,
ask from us that its healing dews shall still be suffered to descend
upon them. Stricken down upon the battle field in the full bloom of
manly vigor, lying festering in their ghastly wounds among the dead and
dying, exposed to the dews of night, the broiling fervors of the midday
sun, we may hear them implore us that the ambulances of the Sanitary may
be allowed to aid in bringing them shelter, aid, strength to live, or
patience to die. Bleeding stumps of manly limbs are piteously held forth
to us that surgeons may be supplied for amputation, that balls buried in
the flesh or lodged in the bone may be extracted by hands skilful in the
use of knife and probe. Let these brave fellows feel that the arms of
the men and women of this country are clasped around them in sustaining
love. Ah, have we not all dear ones in this grand army? answer me, fair
and true daughters of our soil.

'The subtile sense, the faith intense, of woman's heart and brain,
Give her a prophet's power to see, to suffer, and maintain.'

Let us not stop to measure what is prudent for us to give, but let us
give freely, promptly, as we would do if we saw before us the suffering
victims of this holy war! Every dollar may save a life, every penny a
pang. O God! shall we stop to count pence with our stricken brave
_dying_ and bleeding before us? Every gift, however small, from a loyal
soul, will be greeted, every good giver welcomed. Let us listen to the
most sublime of all music, the great heart-throbs of a free people
chiming together in the vigorous rhythm of the Divine charities. Let our
nation comprehend from within the march of its vast destinies, its true
and ever-growing force in the love and self-sacrifice of its children.
Let the benediction of our American Evangel, 'All men are born free and
equal,' sound on until all voices swell in the grand diapason of
everywhere harmonious and united Humanity, for this is the strength of
man and the true meaning of our Union.

'From th