The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-15
An Appeal to Congress for the San Francisco
sufferers

The fierce Atlantic rolla in triumph its ftosh bolo
caust OF Two huadred and forty vicums Through thou
sands of mourning hearts sweeps the sad wall OF beeave.
ment, and not few lament their dearest and best,
gone down forever 10 the OF ocean, to join that
countless multitude, who in the sepuchre OF waters rest in
peace Now while the fearful of that tossed
steamer through twelve days OF desperate struggle,
fresh on all minds while The chord OF humanity still
thrills responsive 10 the DICTATES OF generous purpose
now with the bold impeousness OF righteous purpose
and in behalf of those made mighty through suffering
would brother officer al both TO the profession OF
and the universal brotherhood, call upon those true
who honor national councils 10 do generously what
| their human hearts may prompt
Let Congress do its utmost for the benefit OF these suf
ieers, and yet its all is but The veest nothing in
trasi with the agohes, the losses, the bereavemeRis
whence (alas not ally have come forth in
edness OF body and soul intense scarcely
again leave their bfows free from the imprint OF sui
ferng. Yes Congress has here duty 10 do--a dnty
imposed by the eternal laws OF humanity, higher Than
all the rescrp,s OF constitution and treaty. The Amer-
can nation has heart which prompts kindly deeds 10
the afflicted In Congress this heart cannot fail find
representatives. who will dare to be true 10 the highest
sentiments OF humanity What Indignation could equal
that mans deserts who should stop 10 cultivate absiac
TONS talk maudn about economy, when the cry i
| g man the lie boat p
But Congress will surely have heart enough in this
Fad case to say: Yes gladly will do ten times
duty What allevison can we bestow on surerings SO
Intense !" ThS can be done, man of heart little az j
may prove, which will ward of some suifetngs from til,
future, inefficient as il is TO aztec, the pas,
Let Congress pass act authorizing the President &c
order board whose business il shall be Immediately
report the amour, OF pecunary and p opey losses SUI
ered by each officer and man surviving from the i'll
fated San francisco. lie, report all who lost and
all among the Survivors who are invalid, with view Of
srantrg pensions to the injured survivors. Let this be
viewed as baie-held-and, indeed was ever hattie
Geld more awful Let an adequate amount be instantly
appropriated tina, awards for asceaned losses can
be made in the lime OF need, approval BY the
President Let allowance be made for the expenses n.
oideni TO the sickness consequent The fearful trials
overpas Let liberal latitude be permitted our hon.
oged Executive TO DO justice and humanity require
Let allowance Of two three moaths extra pay be al
granted to present necessities and token OF
sympathy,
IL s surely fortunate that men like General Shields
and Colonel Bssell hold The leading military posts in
Congress when matters like this call for ac,ion--nen
with and generous hearts tried in waited con-
,ngcnces OF service and never found wanting And who
&, Than President Pierce quckened through suf-
eriug Colonel Davis, the energetic Secretary OF War
alive with synpathywho so III to execute generous
be hes, safely and well
Congress will forge, the part OF generous duty,
nor will it's good wishes be slowly carried out The
same energy OF heartfu purpose which has stimulated
the eager search for the disabled San Francisco will not
be found flag in carrying naions relief and sympa
thy The survivors and The relatives OF those lost
What pctuse Of sorrow does that list Of noble vic
TINS present. Col. Washingo hero whose post,
and whose precious light battery the field OF Buena
Vista, no Mexican egons or imed orders could force
him abandon the true, loyal colder, through many long
yeats accomplishing exile from home to the desoste
wilds Of frontier liie-a man not unworthy his better
than royal name--be is gone Major George Taylor-a
man honored among his associates in with pecu
liar regard and endeatmenta strong hearted man
who was equal to the calls OF emergency, whether
in The svamps Of Florida or with bis battery in
Merioo--at home and 10 camp, the same hieh-'oned
and trusted mari--he, too, is gone and with him. her
his chosen and faithful one even in death not divided