The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-31
no che IIlinois Dele CATION I'm Congress

GEnrLssssx As citizen OF the State you represent,
have determined after consideration, and with
anxiety in the subject. call your attention
to IN oppressive evil under which very considerable
and important section OF State has been, and is still
sueng believing that you, worthy representatives OF
4 worthy constituency, will, in your wisdom devise
plan by and through which the evil complained Of will be
abatsd il entirely removed laude 10 the fact well
known ell of sos, that during the greater portion Of
the year the southern section OF State, from the city
OF Cairo and for miles up the Mississippi river, is made,
a il weye azar house for all the uniortunaics seized
with diseases contracted in the pesenial malaras of
the lower Mississippi I'd stimulated and developed by
sx 10 ten days confinement upon the steamers OF that
river.
Il il doubtless known to most, if mol all OF you, that
during the months the river is frequently very
suddenly closed above The mouth OF the Ohio, and that
al boats upward bound compelled TO stop at Cairo.
You are also aware that at this time of the there
are few Of these boats not heavily reigbed with emi.
grants and that it seldom that these crowds OF sualid
poor have among them some OF the many contagious
or epidemic diseases which rage with such fearful vio-
Ience upon our western rivers.
Whenever these boats reach Cairo. which, under the
circumstances have described. is usually the point al
which they stopped. their cargces OF disease and
psslence cast upon the banks OF the river to infect
the country for miles in the interior In the summer
months have The same scenes enacted in conee-
Queucs OF the low waters, and thus OF the heahics'
diseases not natural TO its climate, and which, under
other circumstances with such safe guards can be
thrown round il. would be comparatively unknown.
Every phiianthropis and friend Of humanity must SYM
psshxs With the people singulay afflicted ana every
patriot will bs prompted by the bare narration OF the acs
10 uas bis best exerons for their relief Bot to you,
ssoeeu REPRESENTATIVES OF the State OF Illinois, those OF
vor compliments interested in the subject look tor
thse more Substantial than sympathy They believe II
TO b. in your power extend them practical and efc'ent
psotsssion against the evil complained Of. and there.
iose sppeal 10 you with confidence that you will direct
yous attention nj the earliest convenient moment 70 Inc
Investigation Of the subject cannot doubt that, were
The ects laid before Congress and clearly explained that
body wossd without hesitation take such steps as would
aasliosss. and perhaps entirely remove, this great and
growing evil.
Il hss appeared TO me that marine hospital such as
Conessss in it, wisdom and beray has erected at Gin
eiunaii Louisville, ST. Louis Evansville. and Padncah,
and vvsoss other points upon the western waters. would
b. ,hs rs,diss and most practicable mode Of accomplish
inn Tie desired object There is no point in the whole
valley Of the Mississippi where institution OF this kind
10 more needed or where il could confer greater bless
,ngs both upon the citizens Of the county, whom II would
project and upon the diseased unfounaes whose suf-
fenagp il would alleviate BY the establishment OF such
a insisution many valuable lives might be saved Ger.
taialy uuch suffering relieved and those loahsome and
h-1saling diseases which spread broadcast
through the country. carrying desolaton 10 many fire.
s;Aes snpually, woaId be confined within It's walls
Bal nay be told that there is hospital at 81. Louis,
two hundred miles higher up the Mississippi. and another
Il Padocah even less distance up the Ohio True; but
Of what uss are these hospitals when they cannot be
reacAs1 By fer the greater portion Of the sick thrown
upnn oar shores from the Missss'pri-rver boats
and when they stopped At Cairo either BY ice or low
wHter, they there disxorge themselves Though both
rivers afe often closed by in the winter months above
shsy eoaausncs, the Mississippi isaiways open 10 Cairo
Delew this point s closed; for here the great
raahne d Waters, reinforced by tho rushing tide OF the
Cha sooYns the cold finger OF the Ice King and rolls
- ~sinesjc freedom 10 the ocean
l]pcu occasions when navigation s oSsructed above
Cairo ssssers from the lower Mississippi accumulate
there in large numbers and the season Is an unhealthy
oos he crowds Of smsrants with which they are load
a srs s,suek down without hope and without relief
sch dsy adding vrulsncs TO the diseases under which
ihey ss6ss and swslling The number OF vc''ms unde
ihes, circumstances the ocers Of the boats have no a
s1sna,ivs and are compelled 10 free themselves OF fbe
nrsoea OF disease and death by casting them upon the
shces The very state Of things have described now
snlv exists q Cairo Every mail brings intelligence Of
~ scesmsiatioa Of boats unable 10 proceed further
hIIe atip vs and cholera are sweeping scores upon
spoees daily 10 strangers grave