The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-20
surrrnrss ny TIE NAsrucxrr FmE. we had

hoped that New York, herself having undergone
many trials by fire, would, before this, have ex-
tended the hand of charity, as well as the voice OF
commiseration to the hundreds Of families who,
perhaps, this morning, have not the wherewithal
to buy bread, and who, but few days ago, were
located round the table of plenty The scourge OF
destruction has thrown a gloom over the spirits
and prospects of the hardy Islanders of Nantuck-
ct, which it well becomes their countrymen in
the richest city of the continent to dispel.
If our Mayor, or those in authority, neglect the
call of charity in this respect, let meeting of the
citizens at once be called, committees appointed,
and funds and provisions collected, for the imme-
date rehefof those who have suffered Sympa-
thy demands speedy and effective movement
in this respect. For years past, our vessels have
been commanded and guided through the perils
of the ocean by that race, who, in seamanship,
have no superiors. We could point out wealthy
merchants in this city who, for years, have been
accommodating wealth through the skill of those
who, with their families and children, have lost
the hard-earned fruits of years Of honest toll by
the devastation of single night. Will these men
these merchant princes-idly look on and see
their faithful fellow beings suffer No, we
Judge by experience that the cry of the unfor-
tunate will be heard, and their wants supplied.
New York has been visited by fires affecting
and calamtous, but the loss has been principally
upon moneyed men or corporate institutions, whose
recuperative powers enabled them to Withstand
the blow; assistance was not needed from abroad;
but the time may come, but which God forbid,
when the tradesman, on a smaller scale,
the mechanic and the laborer shall, by
hundreds, be rendered houseless and famish-
ing by one nights confagration. Let our
example be such now as to call forth the assist
anceofthe length and breadth the Union in the
time of calamity. What simple charity does not,
policy may succeed in effecting.
The citizens of Canada, in this respect, have
shown us a course well worthy of imitation.
Though fire after fire has ragged with sweeping yio-
lence again and again through diferentparts ofthe
country, assistance has always been promptly and
bountifully given by those who escaped. Let not
then our citizens be put to shame by their tar
diness; let one and all join in prompt movement
for the aid of the Impoverished inhabitants of
Nantucket.
Who of our leading men, who of our wealthy
ship owners, will be the first to act? See the call
of the Selectmen of Nantucket in another Co
lumn.
The Nantucket Sufferers.
Friends-The undersigned. selectmen of the Town of
Nantucket have been constituted by a vote of the town.
q committee to ask at your hands such aid you may
feel able to render to our unfortunate and
pie.
One third Of our town is in ashes fire broke out on
Monday evening last, few minutes before IL O'Clock,
and ragged almost uncontrolled. for about nine hours.
The whole business section of the is consumed
There is scarcely dry goods grocery, provision
Immediate Distress the stocks contained in them 50 rap.
idly did the conhagration extend are almost utterly de-
stroyed
suffering from hunger at bay single week, Seven
eighths of mechanics are without shops stock or
bread Hundreds of families without roof to cover
them, bed to lie upon and very many Of them even
been stripped Of their all they have hopes for the u
ture, except such founded upon the humanity of
others
We are in deep trouble We cannot ourselves relieve
the whole Distress and compelled call upon
those who have not been visited like ourselves for aid
in this hour Of necessity We do not ask you make
grafton has destroyed but to aid u.s. 20 far a. you feel
physical suffering from among us, until we can look
round and see what is to be done We want help-lbe
If We you importunate. we can only say that
could you look upon the yet smoking ruins Of one third
streets filed with housslsss hundreds wandering about
seeking for some roof to cover them, for such
nants Of their household goods may have been snatch
ed by others from the hames-could you feel do,
that not many days pass before positive will
be knocking at our doors-our words would appear
feeble appeal certainly not moro than the
occasion requires. But confident that you feel
for and with usand that you will render such
sistance as is in your power.
Will you take immediate measures to bring our suf.
ierng condition before your people, either by calling
public meeting, in such other may seem
you best Provisions clothing bedding money
thing useful which you may have to bestow, will be
most gratefully received WIN you in the matter
Immediately
Please to direct any thing which you may send to the
selectmen OF the town OF Nantucket and pledge
selves to dispense what ever ysu may besow faithfully
and to the best Of our ability, judicously.
jon COLEMAN, CHAs. O. CoFrIN, EBEN. W. ALLEN
VIM BARNEY, jun, NArH. RANp, OByp. SWAIN, ALFRED
FoLoEl, Selectmen ofthe town of Nantucket.