Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-22
COMMUNICATED.

nr. fEllOT-I nave iOT SOhiS tiihS past '"hS>N
ed, with no little concern, and, since the recent
catastrophe in North Carolina, with much aPPre,
hension, on the great apathy which seems. and
| believe does, pervade the Town, on the subject
Of Fires. Since the great fire. few years past,
we have. tits true, been much favored; and 1t
would appear, we're we to Judge from the manifest
sup,neness of our citizens generally, that all aP-
prehsions Of being again visited by this fell scourge
had left rs.
If Lam not much mistaken, there are but two
Engines, out If the six in town. which could be
considered tolerably efficient, and even those not
so much So as they ought to be. The others, l
understand. are much out of order, and extreme
" deficient in well-organized companies to ma
mage them. The first enquiry, which naturally
arises, is, what is the cause OF this comator,
and consequently lamentable, state OF derange-
ment: | am inclined to believe, that one great
cause. if not the greatest, is to be ascribed to
that apparent want OF interest winch IS so palpa-
DIV manifested, by large property holders, In
withholding their attendance from working oil
the Engines, aud from Company meetings.
Money is necessary to keep the Engines in Or
Ter, and to detray the ordinary expenses OF each
Company; but the cOuntenance aud personal ex-
erlions of those interested, are absolutely indis-
peusabe to the keeping up an efficient organZa-
ton Oh tnOSe COiuDdItcs. II - III SVHV
of the large Northern Cities the attention of all
classes Of citizeaS is not necessary; as the laws
there afford to firemen certain immunlties, which
act as an abundant shmulant to their continual
and faithful exertions: but quite different is our
situation Here, If any salutary regulations are
effected al all, they must be effected by an indi-
vidual attention to the sub ect. Physical force
Is not alone sufficient; for at the times OF fire we
find an abundance Of that. and 1t is equally EVIL
,iert. as we know from sad experience, that 1t Is
Ianentably inefficient, and this entirely tor the
want of n proper direction-this direction it
must receive, II at all, from having companies
wei, arranged while free from the excitement of
alarm.
lam soIcitous to call the attention of the pub
nc to this important subject, and trust that each
individual will reflect that much depends upon
his own exertions, and that he will not rest un-
der the delusve hope that others will do that. for
him. which he ought, and is morally bound, to
do for himself As before observed, we have
for some time escaped the ravages Of the flames;
but we cannot, nationally. presume that we shall
long be so fortunate: and unless some measures
are speedily taken, much appreheud we shall,
when the enemy appears, be found, like the
foolish virgins, without oil in our lamps"
OBSERVER.
p. 6. Quere-Do not many of our citizens, at
the alarm of fire, leave their buckets at home?-
fear the practice Is too prevalent
ECO
coMMUNI GATED
lb. Sao,rden--Tbere is in the New York pa
nar, n representation of case Of death BY HYDRO
nho5ia IN that city. which YOU are respectfully
requested to publish This is one of many re-
cent melancholy deaths by that horrible and incu-
rable maady The law uf this town regarding
Dogs, was not intended for revenue, cut for the
sole purpose of protecting, IN some degree, the
inhabitants against fatal disorder for which no
remedy Is known. 1t has been generally so I'M
derstuod. and generally approved by tho inhabt-
ants. You are asked, therefore, to publish !. 'or
the use, particularly, of those who have, from
time to time, made clamor, and disturbed the
elections for Council about tax upon dogs
Some of them are fathers OF families-iet such
make the case referred to their own, and consi-
der what their feelings would be 1t such deplO-
rable calamity happened in their own family
Yet | will tell them, it such fatality did befal
them, il would be but just dispensation of mo
raj Justice. for their selfish attempts to compel
the Council to grati(y their whims, at the mani
fest hazard Of the public welfare. No one has
more value for Dog than have, where his SER
vice is necessary. l have owned Dogs in years
past; would have one now, notwithstanding the
tax, but for this reason. know the danger to
society Of keeping them in town: one dog might,
in rabid state, be the death of mary persons,
and would not, for all the town is worth, that
dog of mine should be the death Of any person.
4 CITIZEN.
This was published in Yesterdays Gazette.
-aSe-
coMMrNIcATED.
Go thou and do likewise. "a coiored wo-
man, member Of one Of the Episcopal Church
es in this place. having heard her Minister adj
dress his people upon the subject of Missionary
Society recently established here, for the pur-
pose Of employing pious and discreet Minister
Hthe Gospel, whose sole duty it should be to go
i5 h and auong the poor, the sick and
sss s s:sss i. sassss ny
as ito s. work 9ss A sss. sss that
be able to give 0n,y would be received by hin