Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-09-27
Tor the American.
To the Humane and Benevolent Inhabitant!
of Northumberland County.

You nave Deen generally informed, we pre-.
sumc during the last winter the attention of the
Legislature effectively attracted to this sub.
icct, bv lady, named D. L. Dix. Her humane
feelings had induced her to view the prisons of
this and other states, with the purpose of ascer.
,anng and amelorating the condition of those
suf.ring under this daplorable na'ady.
An act CT Assembly was passed, by which
M~ssis. Rely, Konigmacher, Haldcrman Camp.
brll AMI Trcgo, were constituted commissioners
n purchase tract of not less than one hundred
acres OF land within ten miles of Harrisburg.
This purchase, we understand has been made
among other things they were empowered to
'arpoint committee in every city and county
af this Commonwealth, to solicit and receive pri.
va.f subsci irtious for this laudable and benevo.
Sent object.
Those Commissioners have accordingly ap-
pointed us as a committee for this county and
addressed to us a letter, of which the following
ls,an extract. 1--WE earnestly solicit your prompt
apd efficient action for this important and bene
violent object. Let US speedily redeem our belc.
we'd state from the opprobrium which now rests
ny instances, chained and manaclcd, portion of
our fellow citizens desiring kindest regard
and sympathy. Let il no longer be the reproach
Of Pennsylvania, that while they have munif.
ceuty provided for the advancement Of the sane
part of their population, they refuse TO give Of
their abundance, small pttance for those whom
1hc Almighty, in his providence has deprived of
themselves"
Various circumstances fellow citizens of Nor.
cumberland county, have too long impedcd our
responsive action TO this affecting appeal But,
we now most seriously and earnestly invoke
your charitable aid and co.opcration in the per-
tormance of duty sacred and imperative in the
ho.om of any human being, who is not calous to
The emotions OF kindness and humanity.
Early relief, as Miss Dix proves, TO these sub.
icc's of the most terrible aflct on, is of the
Grst importance 'Whcn the duration of the dis
case has been less than year, from eighty 10
ninety percent will recover where it has ex.
lsted from one to fve year, from twenty TO thir
ty per cent; from five TO ten years, about twelve
per cent; and when Of longer duration, not more
than five per cent."-[Miss Dix's memorial, p 7 I
Gases in confirmation of this may have fallen un.
der yonr OWE observations as they have under
ours. Thus, even the selfish and sordid man,
were We to apply TO such, might find it sa-
wing of his boarded wealth to provide for the in
sane prompt and iudicous relief in the ASYLUM,
rather than turn his back upon disease daily be-
al a.,J
lingering charge upon the township
Pat we appeal 10 higher motives, and nober
considerations. The law of our nature calls up.
~ Us TO relieve the sufferngs even Of irrational
animals; hew much more powerful is the i'm
pulse of the human heart, to hasten TO the relief
OF The kindred heart of man. He who holds back
where he can deliver the innocent in distress, vi
clates the instructive emotions Of his own breast
And the Author Of nature calls upon US in more
explicit voice, TO be mercful, if we ourselves
would obtain mprcv. The munc pal law enac.
- o" oar representatives calls upon us pru.
os.' regard - tn peace, comfort and security OF
society. and of ous '~iies. calls upon us to con.
tribE'e in rroro.too d our ability. TO this grca,
and h'ncve'cnt work
1t no man eek evasion or excuse, upon the
prrrenre that, btu few OF these distressed and
Distressing objects are ever seen. An examna-
1ion OF Miss Drx's nemoral will show, but too
truly alas how great were such selfdelusion
Such sufferers are commonly secluded from the
rhoic eye and this is done with the greater vi
GLANCE, AS the mental arrangement is made VIC
len, aud revolving. Yet, within few of the las
snenhs, have we not three four misera
BILE maniacs roaming through streets difIu
sing alarm and distress around them. The rich
it is true, can bear the expense of supporting
ahcir children or friends at other institutions, bu
what is TO be done by the poor Must they kee
their wrcIched relations chained in some miser
able corner, guarding them from violence an,
suicide, until at last, incapable of the consola
tons of religion, they take the dismal step int
the grave, delivered from the far more disua
condition of living death
Let no man delude hlmsefor stive to sthe tn
calls OF charitable conscience, by the netio
thot his little contribution can do no good, and
therefore, he will give nothing Let him do hi
duty, and leave the event 10 Him who gIyeth an
who taketh away; not merely wealth, bat thos
attributes which partake OF his own divinity
Bat the whole of our great state, numbering
thlrd OF million ot families, is TO unite IN thl
b-nekcent Institution; and a small sum from eac
will be sufficient. Dauphin county is showing
most liberal spirit 10 promote the work 9th.
counties are doing well also aud We ardentl
hope that Northumberland will not shun the he
nor of proving that she is concerned in this ca
upon the humanity and justice of the people c
Pennsylvania.
Fellow citizens,-we are about 10 forwar
without delay, 10 some respectable and benev,