Daily American telegraph., 1852-05-26
Communicated.
Benevolent Associations.

MEssns. EDITORS: Individual enterprise has
succeeded in orr ,izing several associations for
benevolent purposes, and much sorrow and suf-
fering has been allevated. But few, however,
have participated in this Heaven. born mission.
Ladies of prominence in society have for the most
part been the actors; and while their efforts
have been characterized with commendable zeal
and activity, yet the field of their operations has
necessarily been circumscribed on account of
natural repugnance, always difficult, and in most
cases impossible, to overcome in delicate minds,
to approaching others than acquaintances upon
errands of this character. The sensitive mind
shrinks from the natural scrutity Of motive which
stranger is apt to indulge; and, indeed, the
melancholy experience of every benevolent per-
son proves that some who wear the image Of
Divine perfection have no sensibilities in common
with the preoepts Of the great Master, and re-
spond to all creations Of charity with a coarse
ness amounting to insult These causes serve to
conhne those efforts within narrow sphere, and
consequently impose burdens upon the few, when,
with general distribution of the pleasure of
contributing to want and suffering, none would
be incommoded, and all would be gratifed.
My object in this communication is to call the
attention of those excellent ladies Of the city who
have given their energies to these high and holy
ministrations to the subject Of enlarging the
area Of their organization, so as to characterize
its operations with the distinguishing marks Of
q city institution, open to general contribution,
and accessible alike to all INDECENT persons.
1t has occurred to the writer Of this article that
ecbapoa ,,pdar ba contrnl of tho 1a6;au
might, in a very short time, be so expanded as
to furnish, from overAowing treasury, filed by
voluntary contributions, ample relief to every
sufferer And in this view | would respectfully
suggest TO those who now manage the various
benevolent associations that they join together
in public effort to form general city organi-
ration for the purpose Of collecting and dispens-
ing charities and that all industrial associations
shall be subordinate to this great central au-
thority; that q system be adopted by which
portion Of each day will be given, by board Of
ladies chosen for that purpose by vote Of all
who now constitute the several associations re.
ferred to- to the adjudication Of claims upon the
treasury, and fixing the quantum and kind Of
relief TO which every applicant may be entitled
to be always open and accessible by all the VA
rious means common to the respective shades
and circumstances Of want known to exist in all
cities Timid sufferers, who, from education and
afinides, would drag along upon dry crust, and
seek in seclusion shield from unfeeling ques-
TONERS, ought to be made to feel that their COM
munications to the board, like their sincere ORR
sons 70 Him who sees and answers in secret,
should lie responded to in privacy, and with
proper regard to dehcacy
The foregoing suggestions are made with much
diffidence, but with confidence that the general
subject is deemed important by those who are
competent and willing 70 devise suitable means
Of enlargng the circle Of benevolence, and giving
it 3 worthy direction, and my object will be
gained if such persons shall be awakened to the
necessity of making an effort. CITIZEN.