The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-09-21
From Philadelphia Argus.
The TerrOrs Of The Yellow Fever.

The accounts from Norfolk and Portsmouth, in
regard TO the ravages Of the Yellow Fever, are
truly Of the most appalling character. This
visitation IS as fearfuly solemn as it is inscru-
tbe and mysterious in the providences of Heav-
en-. These gay and beauteouS cities On the
borders of the surging Chesapeake are not only
rendered ruined and desoIated places, but they
have become literally vast GoIgothaS of horror
and woe-a place of human sknlls-while ema-
ciated and CHASTITY living spectres fit OCCASION
ally along the streets and byeways, as if anx-
ious to avoid the dread and destroyer Of the
human family. Death is no respecter of per-
sons. The high and the low, the rich and the
poor, the proud and the humble, all are hurled
into nothngneSs and dust, scarcely at a mo-
ment's warning, by the nSidious pestllence that
saketh forth in mystery and desolating wrath
In vain have been all the efforts of the most
experienced and accomplished physicians 10
mitigate or arrest the course OF the disease.
This is the more remarkable when we reflect
that our country NAV be said to DC the birth
place of the seIIow fever, and that lis ravagrs
been known and depored ever since the dis
covery of this Hesperian continent by Chrlsto-
pher Columbus. Notwithstanding the acknowl-
edged advancement OF medical science, and the
fact that even cholera has become a readily
rrmediable malady, if taken in its earlier stages,
there has nothing Vet been discovered that
seems adapted to either the prevention or sue
cessful treatment Of this Scourge. Our most
eminent practitioners have in vain endeavored
to account for the origin and cause of the dis
ease They are even undetermined whether
yellow fever is contagious or otherwise, al
though It would seem that Peion is now piled
on Ossa in subStantation of the fact Of its con-
tagious character, in view of the deSolating
havoc it makes among all who venture within
its virulent influence in the cities of Norfolk
and Portsmouth. We would be disposed to
fling sarcastic opprobrium upon the medical art,
did we not remember the utter insigni6cancc
and impotency of man in view Of the wisdom
and chastenng power Of his Heavenly Creator.
In the midst of pesilence, and horror, aud
famine, lessons OF humiliation may be learned,
and the proud soul of man weaned and allured
from the sinful and decetful things of time and
sense. In health and prosperity we are too
apt to forget the God who made Us, and arro-
gantlv assume to be- gods ourselves in the e.
phemeral yanities and pomps Of terrestrial
existence. Let the American people cast about
them and ascertain rhy the present gritvous
chaStsement is giyen--let them see at whose
door lies the dread SIN, that there must needs
be the whip OF scorpions and the lash of sting
ing asps, to redeem man from the briary paths
of folly and transgresslon.
Amid the gloom and havoc caused by the
yellow fever, it is truly gratifying TO observe
the expressions of sympathy every where man
ifcsted in the United States, in behalf Of the
sufferers at Norfolk and Portsmouth. The heart
strings are rent and the bosoms of our country
men swell in the burden Of their grief and
compassion for the sick and the dead Every
one seems willing to extend the benevolent
mtr, in aid Of distressed humanity, in seeking