Peace: Confederate

While the two great organizations here noticed were at work, others, in large numbers, but less conspicuous, were laboring for the same holy purpose. Associations for the relief of the freedmen, and for sailors, also for promoting enlistments for the military and naval service, were organized; and everywhere the most active and disinterested benevolence was manifested. High authority has said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." If so, then loyal people of our land were eminently blessed; for it is estimated that through these two great Commissions, various associations, and by private contribution, they made free gifts of their substance to the amount of five hundred million dollars.

While these associations were at work for the benefit of the Union soldiers, similar efforts, though not on so grand a scale, were put forth by the benevolent-minded in the slave-labor States for the benefit of the Confederate soldiers. They labored in the good work most zealously to the extent of their ability, and conferred vast benefits upon the sick and wounded soldiers of the Confederate army. We have no special reports of the result of their labors; but we know that it was great blessing to the recipients of the kindly care, especially of the women of the South. Among the variety of organizations for benevolent purposes was one called The Confederate Association for the Relief of Maimed Soldiers. The object of that association was to supply artificial limbs gratuitously to soldiers who had lost their natural ones. An annual subscription of $10 constituted a member; of $300, a life-member; and of $100, an honorary director. Upon a certificate of membership, before me, is a rude wood-cut representation of the proposed seal of the Confederate States.