Letter and circular from Lyman Abbott to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; July 29, 1865

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Letter and circular from Lyman Abbott to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; July 29, 1865

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People

Abbott, Lyman H.Brimmer, Martin C.Caldwell, John D.Cobb, Mrs. H. W.Cutler, Mrs. H. M. Tracy Griffith, G. S.Israel, F.Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875 Kent, Horace L.Lane, G. W.Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Miles, H. D.Odiorne, T. G.Pierce, H. M.Root, E.Sharkey, William Lewis, 1798-1873 Stout, A. V.Thompson, Joseph Parrish, 1819-1879 Turner, David

Organizations

American Union Commission (1865- )Farms Newspapers Schools United States. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands United States. Congress United States. War Department

Occupations

Clergy Farmers Industrialists Judges Lawyers Secretaries Shoemakers Superintendents Teachers Tradespeople Treasurers United States. President

Places

Baltimore (Md.)Boston (Mass.)Charleston (S.C.)Chicago (Ill.)Cincinnati (Ohio)Illinois Jackson (Miss.)Maryland Nashville (Tenn.)New York (N.Y.)Ohio Richmond (Va.)Tennessee

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Christians Immigrants Impoverished people People with disabilities Refugees

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Disease and illness Wounds and injuries

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AMERICAN UNION COMMISSION,
14 BIBLE HOUSE.

This Commission "is constituted for the purpose of aiding and co-operating with the people of those portions of the United States which have been desolated and impoverished by the war, in the restoration of their civil and social condition, upon the basis of industry, education, freedom, and Christian morality."

Rev. JOS. P. THOMPSON, D. D., Pres.

A. V. STOUT, Esq., Treas._{Shoe and Leather Bank.}

Rev. LYMAN ABBOTT, Cor. Sec._{14 Bible House.}

New York, 29 July 1865.

Dear Sir—

I respectfully call your attention to the nature and objects of the American Union Commission, a circular of which I enclose—

Assuming the unity of our nationality, believing that in the general welfare of the entire country all Americans possess an equal interest, it is our object to do whatever can be done by organized patriotism in the more prosperous States to aid the people of those portions of the country which have been impoverished by the war, in restoring peace and prosperity, reviving industry, re-establishing schools and school systems; in short doing all things necessary to be done—

Thus:—we have been satisfied that in some special localities there is great destitu-tion. We have sent thither special supplies of food and clothing, not indeed endeavoring to supply all that were in want, but to provide as far as possible for cases of special need, the sick, the infirm, and the delicate—

We have ascertained that

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the people without tools, or the means of obtaining them, wished to go to work but could not—We have sent seed and implements to supply this want, not attempting of course to provide the entire community, but by gift, or sale on credit aiding those who were utterly unable to procure through the ordinary channels of trade—

We see the educational system broken up by war—many of the teachers gone—and the people as yet unprepared to support unaided, suitable schools. We have proffered our services in procuring in pro-curing teachers and assistance to maintain them until the necessity for such assistance has passed away—A proffer which we have found gladly accepted in the same spirit of fraternal feeling in which it was made. We desire however, to do what-ever is in our power to render such aid and co-operation as the people of different States and communities may desire and suggest—

It seemed to me proper that in this beginning of our work, I should acquaint you with our Commission and its objects. Cases may arise in which such an organization, national in its character, and comprehensive in its designs, may be able to render you assistance in the great work which has been intrusted to your hands. In such an event we shall always be glad to hear from you, and to do whatever lies within our province, and

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is within our power to aid in carrying out any suggestions you may make for promoting the welfare of your portion of our common country—

Meanwhile we should be glad to receive from you any information as to the wants of the people in any particular localities of your State, any suggestions, as to methods by which we can aid and co-operate with you—and especially we should like to know how such a proffer will be received and regarded by the people of Mississippi—

Yours Truly

Lyman Abbott—

Hon. W. L. Sharkey
Gov^'r of Mississippi.
Jackson=
Miss—

Prospectus of the "American Union Commission"

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AMERICAN UNION COMMISSION.
14 BIBLE HOUSE, NEW YORK CITY.

The work of the war is ended. The work of peace begins. The work of destruction of the last four years, terrible but necessary, must be followed by an era of construction even more sublime. In the regions which war has desolated a free Christian State must be reared.

The work of re-construction is partly political; and this will require the highest wisdom of our statesmen. It is partly religious; and for this every Christian denomination is preparing. But there is also a great intermediate work of patriotism and philanthropy, neither political nor denominational. Thousands of homeless wanderers, destitute, utterly wretched, require temporary relief; thousands have been already provided by this Commission with permanent homes and employment; and many more still need assistance.

Comprehensive and systematic measures are now required to re-establish industrial, social and educational systems in the States which have been the theatre of the war. Desolated homes must be rebuilt, farms must be stocked and supplied with seed and implements; emigration of a right character must be stimulated and guided; schools must be opened, and furnished with the necessary apparatus; free school systems must be organized and established; and the intelligence and patriotism of the whole people must be furthered by a well conducted press.

These measures of social re-organization should be superintended mainly by persons of undoubted loyalty, of practical wisdom, and positive sympathy with freedom, who have long resided in the regions to be thus benefited, and who are familiar with the temper and habits of the people. But aid and co-operation from the citizens of the more prosperous States will be greatly needed and gladly welcomed. To afford that aid and co-operation the American Union Commission is organized.

It consists of a Central Commission, having its office in New York City, with branches already organized in Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Nashville, Richmond and Charleston. In its origin it had the sanction of President Lincoln; it now enjoys the cordial approbation of President Johnson; it receives from the War Department transportation and other facilities so far as is consistent with the public service; and in providing for refugees, it is in hearty co-operation with the Bureau for Refugees and Freedmen, who are still, as heretofore, dependent on voluntary contributions, through benevolent societies, for needful assistance. Its object is defined with precision by the following fundamental article of its Constitution.

"The American Union Commission is constituted for the purpose of aiding and co-operating with the people of those portions of the United States which have been desolated and impoverished by the war, in the restoration of their civil and social condition, upon the basis of industry, education, freedom, and Christian morality."

In the prosecution of this general purpose, the Commission contemplates the following specific objects:

1.—The relief of immediate want and suffering by the distribution of food, clothing and medicine.

2.—The restoration and encouragement of domestic industry, by assisting the people to obtain seed, implements, and improved farming utensils, and other machinery.

3.—The encouragement of a healthful emigration, by the publication of trustworthy information as to the character and price of lands.

4.—The introduction of accredited teachers to local agencies, assistance in the establishment of permanent systems of public education, and, when necessary, the temporary maintenance of schools by voluntary contributions.

5.—The encouragement of a patriotic devotion to the Union and Liberty, by assisting to establish an intelligent and independent press.

This work is not one of charity but of patriotism. We have but one country. In the welfare of every part of the United States all Americans possess an equal interest. The nation cannot enjoy prosperity while one half the land remains crippled, desolated. We appeal then to all Americans to unite in the work of restoring the civil and social institutions of the country. We ask the clergy who have so well instructed their people in the duty of patriotic self sacrifice, to instruct them in the no less imperative duty of patriotic beneficence. We urge the women of America to continue in behalf of their destitute countrymen, the labors which have so abundantly provided for the soldier. And in the name of all lovers of their country, we proffer to the loyalists of the South, in their difficult task of restoration, our hearty sympathies and material aid.

NATIONAL COMMISSION.

Rev. JOSEPH P. THOMPSON, D. D., — — — President.
Rev. LYMAN ABBOTT, — — — Cor. Sec.
T. G. ODIORNE, Esq., Cincinnati, — — — Western Sec.

H. M. PIERCE, Esq. — — — Rec. Sec.
A. V. STOUT, Esq. — — — Treasurer.
G. W. LANE, Esq. — — — Chairman Exec. Com.

NEW ENGLAND BRANCH.
Office, 165 Pearl Street, Boston.
MARTIN C. BRIMMER, Esq., — — Chairman Exec. Com.
Rev. H. D. MILES, D. D. — — Cor. Sec.

WESTERN BRANCH.
Cincinnati, Ohio.
T. G. ODIORNE, Esq., — — — President.
JOHN D. CALDWELL, — — — Sec.

NASHVILLE BRANCH.
Hon. E. ROOT, — — President and Agent for Middle Tennessee.

MARYLAND BRANCH.
Office 89 and 91 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore.
G. S. GRIFFITH, Esq., — — — President.
Rev. F. ISRAEL, — — — Cor. Sec.

NORTH-WESTERN BRANCH,
203 Clark Street, Chicago, Ill.
Mrs. H. M. TRACY CUTLER, — — — President.
Mrs. H. W. COBB, — — — Secretary.

RICHMOND BRANCH.
HORACE L. KENT, — — — President.
DAVID TURNER, — — — Secretary.