Cleveland Morning Leader

LETTER FROM MRS. F. D. GAGE.

St. Louis, April 21st, 1864.

Editor Leader:--When I penned my last note to you, you were in the midst of the bustle and business of the great Sanitary Fair. I escaped from your grand enthusiasm and success in time not to be crazed with its magnitude and brilliance, only to plunge into the serener, and yet equally dazzling light, for the hour, of the same field, in Zanesville, which, for the time occupied, and expenses incurred, was also a brilliant affair.

Flying from town to town, stirring up the people to think and feel for the freedmen, I find myself here in St. Louis confronted again by another of those stupendous charities--the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair.

When it is remembered that not only alone, but without recognition from the United States Sanitary Commission, and almost against its remonstrance, and that of the War Department, this Western Commission has been for nearly three years doing an active service, and sending its agents with their healing and comforting stores to every battle-field of the South-west, when we remember too, what St. Louis and Missouri were at the commencement of this rebellion, and how this beautiful State has suffered, how Confederate invaders have devastated her territory, and how guerrillas bands have harrowed her people, and high-way robbers destroyed her trade, the social antagonism of her people, and the fact that her moneyed men for the most part take sides with the rebellion, this "Fair" becomes one of unusual interest. I should commend the assistance of all the Northern States.

And especially would I call the attention of all the philanthropic to the fact that St. Louis leads the way in recognizing the Freedmen in her noble charities.

Circulars for Sanitary Fairs are strewn in these days like autumn leaves in a forest, among the people, and this being the case, many may only see the headings of those circulars, and fail to read the fact that the committee has inaugurated a new work. A department has been opened in this great effort for the "Freedmen and Union Refugees." In all the Fairs I have attended (small and great), while all other nations were represented, the Freedman or African found no place. The Greek and Roman, Persian and Russian, Turk and Indian stood forth in costume and played strange antics for charity's sake (without which we are nothing), the great national interest of five millions of people, whose weal and woe continues or destroys us as a nation, was wholly ignored.

This great Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair remembers God's poor, and makes an appeal to the world in their behalf, and it may well be said of Missouri, "Many daughters of our republic have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." Go sustain this Branch, (all others will be sustained) should be the interest of the especial friends of freedom and the rights of man everywhere. The slowness of the government in organizing or allowing to be organized any systematic plan of labor for the freed people of the Mississippi Valley, leaves them still in a terrible state of destitution and suffering. The Union refugees flying from guerrillas worse than the fiercest savages in their wanton cruelties and devastations, fill the borders of the Border States with objects of charity, which if they could be seen by the humane and generous people of the Western Reserve would melt their hearts with sorrow, and bring forth at once an effort to relieve them. Here is an actual existing want. To-day women and children whose husbands and fathers are fighting the enemies of the Union, cry for bread, and there is none to give. Women all unused to hardship, driven from home penniless, skulking out of sight to hide a nakedness more terrible to their shrinking sensitiveness than even the fierce chill winds of this chilliest of Aprils, implore you through their suffering tongues. Every day and hour adds to the number of each of these classes. Shall they be left to die? Let me plead with friends. Encourage and sustain this branch of the coming Fair at St. Louis. Morally, physically and politically there are reasons urgent and strong why it should be well sustained.

Oh! ye who have seen nothing of war, and of whom it can hardly be said, "ye snuffed the sound of battle from afar," ye who have never been hungered or thirst, sick or in prison remember the words of Him who said, "Inasmuch as ye have done unto one of the least of these ye have done it unto me."

FRANCES D. GAGE.