The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-18 00:00:00

AMERICAN AID 70 THE LANCASHIRE

OPERATIVES.

;.L•roni the IVew Tors Gommereial _Advertiser, Deo. Z.)

The meeting held in the Chamber of Commerce-
rooms yesterday began the good work of aiding the Lance,

shire sufferers with subscriptions amounting in the aggre-
gate to 40,000 doll. This munificent offering, made by only
about a score of our more prominent citizens, shows that
the city of New York alone will probably raise a quarter of

a million of dollars, and it may be half a million. What is
still better, we hear of similar movements in other parts of
the country. The spirit manifested at the meeting yester-
day, in fast, shows that the loyal states stand ready to con-
tribute 1,000,000 dols. in money or provisions.
It was not in money or food alone that the generosity of
our men of wealth displayed itself. One firm placed at the
service of the committee the use of a new ship of 1,800
tons, without any charge. Another was ready to take
charge of the stores sent to England and distribute them
gratuitously. While this princely liberality is being
exercised by individuals, we might remind our great railway
corporations, which have reaped abundant profits the past
year from the conveyance of provisions to the seaboard
cities, that they can render most valuable aid by forwarding
freely, or at reduced rates, the donations in breadstuffs
which the people of the West will doubtless contribute out
of their very great abundance. And it occurs to us that
those lines especially, whose stocks or bonds are largely
held abroad, or may be hereafter, would hardly be losers by
liberally assisting in some such manner as we have indi-
cated. The western people have not large sums of
money to bestow in charity; but they have abundant sup-
plies of the staff of life, which they will readily part with
to feed the hungry, who are made such not by their own
fault or neglect, but by a state of things in this country for
which they are not responsible.
Anyhow, let the good work, so favourably inaugurated
yesterday, go on from North to South, and from the At
lantic to the Pacific, city vieing with city, and state with
state. It is enough that hundreds of thousands of those
who have a common nature, origin, language, religion, ci-
vilisation, and common sympathies with ourselves, are
hungry, cold, naked, and sick. We have the means of re-

lief, let them not be withheld or delayed. " He gives twice
who gives quickly."

(From the .New York limes.)

The proceedings of the meeting, and particularly towards
its close, were grand and thrilling. We cannot, perhaps,
describe the thing better than by saying that it was cha-
racteristically American ; or, closer still, that it was pecu-
iiarly New York-like ; and especially after the style thot
characterises all the action of the enterprising and wealthy
mercantile iclasses of the commercial metrepolia of the
ceuntry. After the speeches and resolutions, which were
all both humane and businesslike, a brief letter was read
from the pminpnt shipping-house of Messrs. N, L. and
George_ Griswold, which contained _the following sublime
sentence :—" As an earnest of our desire to further this
cause, in behalf of ourselves and others, owners of a new
ship now in Boston, we tender her entire capacity, 1,800
tons, for the conveyance of the supplies, and our services,
if needed, to forward them free of charge for freight." The
meeting at once tendered thanks for the generous offer, and
Mr. Dodge stated that it-was virtually a contribution of
20,000 dols. to the fund. Another letter was read from a
gentleman who did not wish his name mentioned, which
closed no less eloquently than the first one .—" Thank
God I" said the writer, 'ewe have bread add to spare
and they will not say, I was an hungered,
and ye gave me no meat.' Will you add to
your list, 1,000 barrels of flour, from one whose
loaf will taste the sweeter for sharing it with a fa-
mished brother, and brand it—Union." After the reading
of this letter, the same munificent anonymous donor who
had sent it handed in, as an additional contribution, seven
1,000 dol. United States Treasury notes, but he still desired
his name should not be mentioned. Mr. Dodge desired that
the firm of which he is a member might be put down for
5,000 dole. ; Mr. Johnson, the secretary of the meeting,
offered 2,500; Captain Marshall, 2,000; Babcock Brothers,
2,000; six other individuals or firms gave 1,000 dole. each;
and several sums as large were offered from other donors.
(From the !sew York. lribune, Dec. 6.)

to
perfect their
Commerce-rooms held a private session
Yesterday the committee appointed at the Chamber of
of the United
Jay has written an address to the people
Plans to aid the suffering operatives of Lancashire. John
States, and submitted it to this committee for revision. He
appeals to the benevolent of all classes to come forward
promptly and contribute generously for the relief of the un-
fortunate and starving poor in the cotton manufacturing
districts of England.
More than 40,000 dols. in cash has been subscribed al-
ready, and the amount will no doubt be largely increased at
once, so that the pressing wants of the poor sufferers may
be immediately relieved. One of our merchants has given
the large sum of 10,000 dole., and many others can claim
4, the blessing of those who were ready to perish" for their
prompt and liberal donations. The good ship that sails with bread for the hungry at this crisis in our history is the best
guarantee that can be given of the Christian charity of our
a victory more glorious than a ilea of iron-clads
le It can storm the citadel of peOP • d grateful hearts and
achieve
can