Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/441

 Editorial Paragraiihs. 431

J^DITOf^IAL pAFjAQF^APH?.

The combining in this issue of three numbers under one cover, as we have had occasion to do frequently before, has enabled us to print seve- ral long articles, and at the same time to give variety and interest which we are sure our readers will appreciate. Indeed, we think that they will find it, on the whole, one of the most interesting and valuable issues we have ever sent out.

We very much regret, however, that in consequence of a great pre.ss of work on our worthy printers, the number l]as been delayed three or four weeks beyond the time at which we had expected to mail it.

Death of Mrs. Mary Blackburn Morris. — ^Just as we are going to press, a telegram from Louisville announces the death of one who will live in the hearts of the thousands who "wore the gray," and whose memory will be cherished by lovers of heroic devotion to duty, wherever the story of her life is known.

Mrs. Mary Blackburn Morris, wife of the late Judge Buckner Morris, of Chi- cago, sister of Ex-Gov. Luke P. Blackburn and Senator J. C. S. Blackburn, of Kentucky, died in Louisville on the 20th of Oct., in the 66th year of her age.

Her services among Confederate prisoners at Camp Douglas, Rock Is- land, and other prisons, and her active sympathy for our cause and its ad- herents (briefly alluded to in the narrative of Mr. Damon, published in this No, and deserving a fitting record), caused the arrest and imprisonment of Mrs. Morris and her husband, wrecked their splendid fortune, and implanted the seeds of disease, from which both of them eventually died.

We remember how warmly this noble woman was greeted at the Reunion of Morgan's men at Lexington in July, 1883, and shall never forget her benig- nant countenance and cordial grasp as she expressed the warmest interest in the work of our Society, and promised to contribute something for our Papers on her war experiences.

She deserves and will, no doubt, have a fitting monument of marble or granite ; but she has erected a monument more lasting than these in the hearts of all who love the land and cause to which she devoted her life.

Membership fees, and subscriptions, now due at this office amount, in the aggregate, to the sum of 14,155, and it may be well understood that we need the money to meet our current expenses. We are now sending out to our members polite reminders of their indebtedness, and we beg that they will respojid at once to our call ; %Ty or |6 is a very small matter to the in- dividual, but the aggregate amount is a very important matter to us. We are pledged not to go in debt, and we beg our friends to enable us to keep our pledge by a prompt remittance of their dues.