Van Buren Press Van Buren, Arkansas (Crawford County) May 31, 1890 HELP THE "HOME" An Address From the Ex-Confederate Association of Arkansas. To the Ex-Confederates of Arkansas and all others who feel friendly to and wish to contribute something for the relief of the poor, dependent ex-Confederates, their widows and orphans: Nearly a year ago some 2,000 or more survivors of the Confederate War met at the city of Little Rock,and organized an Ex-Confederate Association, adopted a constitution and by-laws. The object of such association cannot be better stated than the following language which appears in said constitution: 1. To relieve and assist as far as practicable all needy and worthy ex-Confederate Soldiers and to aid the worthy and needy widows of deceased Confederates. 2. To maintain and perpetuate that spirit of friendship and fraternity which comes from the recollection of common dangers, hardships and trials, shared on the march, in the camp, and on the field of battle. 3. To fraternize on every fitting occasion with our late adversaries extending to them those courtesies which are due from one soldier to another, and which a common citizenship in a common Government demands at our hand. 4. To commemorate in a suitable manner and on proper occasions the valor and heroism of our fallen comrades. 5. To inculcate at all times the duties incumbent on us as good citizens and to avoid, as an association, everything which partakes of partisanship in either religion or politics. At said meeting the undersigned were appointed to locate a home for such needy and worthy Confederate soldiers, and the worthy and needy widows and orphans of deceased Confederates. Quite a number of cities in the State offered very liberal bids in the way of money and real estate as an inducement to have the Home located in their respective communities, thus showing their willingness to aid in the noble cause. But at a meeting of the Board in November last, it was determined that as Little Rock was the most accessible to all parts of the State and centrally located and that her citizens had contributed liberally, the Home should be located at or in the vicinity of said city. A committee was appointed to advertise for offers for a suitable place for the Home, and to make a purchase subject to the approval of the Board. This was done and on the 20th inst., at a called meeting of the Board, the contract was ratified and a place for the Home purchased. It is fifty-four acres of land within two mile of the city limits, beautifully located, about thirty acres in good state of cultivation, a very good orchard and vineyard on it and a neat cottage building of nine rooms, sufficient to accommodate a dozen or more. This was bought at the price of $3,000, and has been paid for from the funds already in hand. Now, in order to make the Home a success, it will be necessary to have money to do it with. Many local ex-Confederate associations in this State have indicated that as soon as needed they would pay the amounts subscribed by them respectively. This address is intended to notify not only local associations, but everyone else who feels interested in the cause, that the Home is now located. And that all contributions to the same should be sent as soon as practicable. Remittances should be sent to W. P. Campbell, Secretary of the Ex-Confederate Association, Little Rock, Ark. It is the purpose of the Board to add such improvements as will be necessary for the comfort of those who may be admitted to the Home upon business principles and not involve it in debt. Hence the necessity of speedy action upon the part of those who wish to make contributions. The Home will be opened for applicants and admissions on the 1st day of September, 1890. A personal appeal upon ou part is not necessary to arouse all ex-confederates to act in so important a matter. Other states have long since done so. So we take it now that a bare mention of the fact that the home is located will be sufficient. It has been often said that "no ex-Confederate has ever been seen begging or in the poor house." This is to their credit, and it can be truthfully said that they have rarely been before the courts of the country charged with crime. Those who left their homes, families, and firesides to fight for what they conceived to be right, are not likely to be found begging or committing crime. But we must remember that the war closed twenty-five years ago, and that those who had then reached the meridian of life, if living, are now in and old age. And some of them or their widows and orphans may be dependent and helpless. To those and all other worthy and needy ex-Confederate, and the worthy and needy widows and orphans of deceased Confederates, the Home is free; it is not a charity, but that which is due them and should have been tendered long ago. Blank forms for application tot he Home will be furnished upon application to W. P. Campbell, Secretary of the Ex-Confederate Association, Little Rock, Ark. All papers friendly to the cause will please publish this address. Very respectively, John G. Fletcher, Dave Dixon, W. F. Housely, John D. Adams, L. Minor, J. W. House, L. C. Lincoln, R. A. Little, Board of Directors, W. P. Campbell, Secretary. Fran Alverson Warren