Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-14
TcoNMUNIcATED.

Fire. fire. FTret-Such was the alarming cry
which ressunded through our streets on We'd
nesdav night; and we were only spared the dis
tress Of witnessing perhaps an extensive conf1a-
grafton, by the presence Of mind and e~xertions
Of a few gentlemen, who happened to be near the
scene Of alarm.
Such, too, was the appalling cry, in the dead
hour Of the night, when Mr.. Georges tallow-
chandlery was burned. about a fortnight ago
Fellow c itizens-you are always prompt at
rendering assistance on such occasions, and In
defatigable in your exertions, to stop the progress
Of the destructive element.
But is it not true, at the same time. that unless
reused By the immediate presence Of danger,
there is too much apathy aud Indifference upon
this momentvus subject.
The maxim ''In peace prepare for war" is
held to be a wise one. among nations; and all
governments, which look we'll after their safety,
practise upon it.
Is not the same rule, when applied to cities or
towns, with respect to the preservation of life or
property fum fire, equally sagaciouse Is this
wise foresight aud preparation sufficiently acted
upon in our community? Ifear not.
1t is true there are some four Or FIVE Fire Com
panies organized in town-or rather the skeletons
Of such organization.
How many of our active, young or middle aged.
citizens are attached to them as Efficient aciiue
members?-the whole number, I fear, would not
exceed an hundred. How MANY of our elderly
citizens. men deeply interested in real property.
which may be laid waste, and their families beg
CARED. in a single night-how many, | ask, Of
this class assist to the support, Of Fire Compa-
mics. az honorary or cort~;d,"'ss ".e"sb"rs"
i say it with regret, but assert with confidence.
not one-fourth of the former class
Fellow Citfzens-ye heads of our town, many
Of Won venerable for your age. and most of you
esii,nable for many virtues, come forward at
once, and encourage the Younger by your exam.
pie; enrol yourselves in some one of the ~associa-
tions. and contribute your advice, and a NAL
portion of your money: and l venture to say,
that we shall have our fire department upon a
very different footing.
You cannot, my elderly fellow-citizens, you
heou nut SNPcSs uC yVuuS duu dCtNc u COu.
tribute their personal e~xertions and bear the pc.
cuniary burthen Of protecting your houses and
merchandise. You must lend a helping hand
you must contribute a full share, ifnot the whole
Of the means necessary.
/ am a Fireman. and have been entrusted, at
times, with the care and management Of the ap-
paratus Of our Company; and know full well.
that the cost IF keeping in repair a Fire Appara-
tus, on a moderate scale, Is attended with a con-
siderable expense.
further know, that, unassisted as thew are,
this expense TAILS very heavily upon the members
Of these Companies. and that, in consequence Of
it, their ranks are thin, and all of them on the
decline, l ask, can it be otherwisea Do the
owners OF property suppose that young men will
expend their little funds, every cent of which
they need for their own amusement. or (where
higher motives actuate themJ for their instruction,
to preserve the property Of those who will in no
way contributed
/ throw out these hints. fellow-citizens. as they
occur, and hope some ADLER hand will pursue the
subject, and that some public action may be had
on this important mutter
Il Friend ofhe To,cn.