Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-02-18
THE FAMINE In IRELAND

L ne extracts from other papers which will he
iound III our columns to-day, show that the distress
winch prevails III Ireland is OF the most auuaIinu
character The poiaoe crop, which, i'm many
paris vi me island constitutes the PRINCIPAL article
oi lood has almost entirely failed, ana The reoric
arc feuuceu To the most pilablo condition. Ii IS
estimated Ill some of the papers that there is not
ioou c''osl III 'hc country 10 support the popula-
Iion Tor three weeks. Every thing which can af-
lord sustenance 10 the human system has been cor
suhed, ana still hundreds are dying from actual
starvation, and thousands are half iamisbrd and
Frustrated by disease, consequent npon the want ot
"hoeSoihe huiriInent. Some Of the pictures which
are Drawn ny magistrates and others whose si,Ie-
menis are entitled 10 full credit are horrible
measure. W hole tauaili,s have Eccn found yino
III wretched novels, filthy straw some oead
DINERS dying, others dclirous with fever, and ali
ehaciacd until they looked more like skeletons
man human beings Men are daily found lvIno
oead III the highways and bitches, and it has he
come necessary to raise public contributions in
the churches and elsewhere 10 purchase Collins and
bury the dead.
But we cannot pretend 10 give the details Of the
heafi-s!ckennG scenes which are daily ed in
that unfortunate country. We take up our rem for
higher and holler purpose.-We wished To ma he
an appeal In Behalf of Ireland ard the Irish to the
citizens vi Augusta. This noble old County i, ncn
pied to great degree ~ descendants OF The Ir sh.
ana we wish to invoke their aid TO rescue ,her
Iaiher land from the most orcvuus aiction that
can beial nation. kind Providence has cast our
lou IN land OF abundance. and has during the pis
year, rewarded our labor with an unsual supuly of
the great necessities otc. We ask that portion of
our abundance may be applied to the relief Of our
suffering brethren. An occasion has arisen unpar-
alicied In modern history, for the exercise Of The
greatest OF ali Christian virues-CuARIry and
we nave greatly msc0nccvcd the character of old
Augusta. If theappea which is now made to her
iioefaity-her humahlty--her Christian beneyo-
lence-does not meet with prompt and efficient
response
The case requires action-specdy and united ac-
ton. No time must be lUst-Death and starvation
are Knocking at the doors of the peasantrv. and de-
manding their daily victims. Every day that is
lost brings desoaion and woe 10 The residc Of some
human being.
We propose, therefore, that in every village and
neighborhood committees Immediately set 10 work
to obtain from tellUw-ci,izens s,Ilscriptiors of
Flour, Corn, Rye, Wheat Bacon, Beef.-any thing
mat VIII arrest the ravages Of famine Lei suia-
Die points be designated for the delivery OF these
supplies. Then let money enough be raised to send
them to Scotisvi!le. There the James River Com
Paiy VIII doubtless take charge Of them and convey
them to Rlchnond. whence they can be shipped 10
ireland. hlctmond, which is always foremost in
works OF charity and kindness will supply the
means of forwarding them to the proper authorities
in Ireland
We arc glad 10 see that Congress is novinr on
this subject, and we sincerely hope that the bill an
Propr!ang half million of dollars to buy and shin
PiONiaiouS " Ireland 10 be presented to her destitute
population In The name Of tic United States will
pass oy reclamation. We are glad to see that cili-
Zens In all paris of the country are moving on the
subject, and that Clay, Calhoun, Webster and all
the naster-spirts of the land, bsiIy engaged in
pressing on the good work
Bat we must acknowledge that we feel an espe-
cal desire that old Augusta should not lose this op
Poriunity Of adding to the high reputation which
she already enjoys for kind and generous feeling
Let this work, then, he commenced at once
Limited as our means are VIC shall chceriuiJv send
one barrel OF Flour to such depot as may be named
Tor Staunton.-Let others do what Hey can. and
we VIII answer that no man will ever regret tiat he
contributed ms mite TO save nation from famine
What farmer is there who cannot Give n barrel op.
flour, or bushel Of corn meal, il such a cause
But more words would be thrown away.-We|
know that all that is necessary is to make the src
gestion to ensure It's being carried into practical el
feet.